Leonardo da Vinci had ADHD

I agree that he could be labeled as a perfectionist, but the frequent hyperfixations on various different topics, as well as the inability to follow through on grandiose ideas point towards ADHD. It's impossible to tell with 100% certainty, his life shows too many common symptoms of ADHD for me to be convinced otherwise.

Looks like he was a person who had a constant flood of good ideas coming to mind, and well aware of it. Sketches are then 'this would be great to do someday' notes. 'If only I could live long enough to do one-tenth of these things.' Lives were probably not so long in the 15th-century.

And he also had to find time to accomplish all the daily chores that we must do to keep us alive and well (in his case, for 67 years).

The works of millions of 'great accomplishers' have been forgotten since his death. Clearly he accomplished more than enough.

Reading the current symptoms list, I don't think ADHD applies. Mozart may have had a similar mind. In his case, music can be much easier to realize (on paper at least) than physical objects like sculptures, paintings, helicopters.

>And spending 3 years on a major project suggests not ADHD.

So true!! Thanks

Do mind that hyperfocus is one of the symptoms of ADHD. ADHD is not a lack of focus but a lack of being able to steer your focus. For noninteresting things that means your focus drifting. For interesting things it means forgetting to eat because you're so focused on it.