Larry Mullen Jr. is sharing insights about a recent diagnosis.

The 63-year-old U2 drummer disclosed in a Times Radio interview that he was diagnosed with dyscalculia, a condition that makes understanding math difficult for him.

“I’ve always sensed that there’s something off with how I handle numbers,” he mentioned. “I’m numerically challenged. I recently understood that I have dyscalculia, a variant of dyslexia. I struggle to count and add.”

Mullen, whose son has dyslexia, noted that this condition may explain why fans observe a “pained” expression on his face while drumming. “I’m trying to keep track of the bars,” he said, adding that counting bars feels like “climbing Everest” due to his dyscalculia.

What is dyscalculia?

The Cleveland Clinic describes dyscalculia as a learning disorder that hinders a person’s ability to comprehend “number-related information and mathematics.”

“Symptoms of this disorder typically emerge in childhood, especially as children begin to learn basic math skills,” the clinic explains. “Nonetheless, many adults may have dyscalculia without realizing it. Individuals with this disorder often encounter mental health challenges when faced with math problems, such as anxiety, depression, and other distressing feelings.”

Dyscalculia is different from dyslexia, which primarily affects reading ability. However, the Cleveland Clinic notes that both conditions fall under the category of “specific learning disorder,” and an individual can have both.

What are the signs of dyscalculia?

Common signs of dyscalculia in adults include difficulties with everyday calculations, managing finances, following directions, and keeping track of time, according to the Learning Disabilities Association of America.

Individuals with dyscalculia may also struggle with “copying and memorizing phone numbers, usernames, and dates.”

How prevalent is dyscalculia?

It is estimated that about 3% to 7% of people globally have dyscalculia, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Other public figures with dyscalculia

The British singer Robbie Williams has also spoken about his experience with dyscalculia.

In a June Instagram post last year, Williams expressed that “phone numbers make me anxious” since he cannot read them unless they are formatted with spaces. He recounted a moment at lunch with friends when he couldn’t figure out how much to leave as a tip.

“I started sweating,” he recalled. “I got the calculation wrong. After scribbling it out, I eventually had to ask for assistance. My new friends were really understanding. I didn’t feel embarrassed.”