Marco Ackermann : ADHD, Dopamine and Why Modern Life Feels So Overwhelming

01:15 Intro 02:30 The Impact of COVID on Mental Health 03:44 Performance and Pressure 04:52 The Impact of Social Pressure 07:22 ADHD in Modern Life 09:59 ADHD as a Stepping Stone to Growth 12:12 How to Manage ADHD 14:05 How to Reach Your Full Potential 16:23 The Effects and Signs of ADHD 20:16 The Dopamine Game 23:07 The Reward Effect of Dopamine 25:43 AI in the Psychology Space 27:28 Loneliness in the Age of AI and Mental Health 29:16 Vulnerability and Loneliness 31:49 What Gives Marco Purpose as a Psychiatrist 34:19 How Marco Manages the Emotional Impact of His Work Are we becoming more connected or more lonely than ever? And what happens to our mental health when the pressure to perform never stops? In this episode of From Noise to Sound, Dimitrios Marinos leaves the usual podcast studio and visits psychiatrist Marco in his practice for an open and deeply personal conversation about mental health, ADHD, dopamine, loneliness and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. The discussion begins with a question affecting every generation. Why does modern life feel increasingly overwhelming? From the psychological impact of the pandemic to social media, constant comparison and rising performance expectations, Marco explores the pressures shaping our mental well-being. The conversation then turns personal. Dimitrios shares his experience of being diagnosed with dyslexia at 16 and the frustration of being perceived as lazy despite putting enormous effort into learning. Together, they explore why ADHD often remains undiagnosed for years, particularly among women, and how understanding the way our brains function can help us develop individual strategies and reach our potential. But ADHD is only part of the story. Why are we constantly chasing dopamine? From endless scrolling and gaming to impulsive shopping and food, Marco explains how our search for immediate gratification can influence our behaviour, concentration and everyday lives. The discussion then takes a provocative turn. If we have ChatGPT, why do we still need a psychiatrist? As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly accessible, could it make mental health support easier to access, or are we risking even greater isolation? Marco shares his perspective on AI as a tool, the importance of professional diagnosis and why genuine human relationships remain essential. Finally, the conversation explores loneliness, our declining willingness to interact face to face and the importance of maintaining meaningful connections in an increasingly digital world. Marco also shares what motivates him as a psychiatrist, how his own experiences of exclusion shaped his desire to help others and why reconnecting with nature helps him find balance. An honest conversation about the human mind, the pressures of modern society and the importance of understanding ourselves and one another. Because in a world where everything is becoming faster, perhaps what we need most is to slow down and reconnect