U2's Larry Mullen Jr. Shares Learning Disorder Diagnosis

U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. has revealed that he’s been diagnosed with dyscalculia.

Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand math and other number-based information (Cleveland Clinic). A person with dyscalculia struggles to learn or understand arithmetic, so understanding numbers, numeracy, mathematical calculations, and facts becomes difficult.

In Mullen's case, the learning disorder makes “counting bars [feel] like climbing Everest.”

Discussing his experience with dyscalculia in a new interview with Times Radio, Mullen explained, “I’ve always known that there’s something not particularly right with the way that I deal with numbers.

“I’m numerically challenged, and I realised recently that I have dyscalculia, which is a sub-version of dyslexia. So, I can’t count [and] I can’t add.”

He continued, “I am pained [when playing the drums] because I’m trying to count the bars. I had to find ways of doing this — and counting bars is like climbing Everest.”

Last year, U2 singer Bono teased the band’s 15th studio album by dropping hints that the LP contained “big choruses” and was an “unreasonable guitar record.”

In an interview with Apple Music, the singer stated that the band wanted to whittle down ideas to put ten great tracks on a record.

“That’s all you need,” Bono said, “Ten, and that’s your reason to exist.”

He added, “If not, U2 should just fuck off. Go live on an island, or go away and be a nuisance somewhere in the world. But if we want to continue as a band, it’s only about one thing. It’s about the text, it’s about the tunes, it’s about the performance. It’s about whether you believe us or not.”

Telling Mojo Magazine that he didn’t believe the world was waiting on a new U2 album, he said of the subject, “I just want to write great tunes because that’s where U2 started – with big choruses, clear ideas. And let’s go back there, but do it with some petrol and some matches.”