To think that not everyone has ADHD

The latest is adding ADHD to the diagnosis of Autism. It's always ASD and ADHD, ASD or ADHD, ASD and suspected ADHD.... It seems to imply that there is a considerable overlap and similarities in both diagnoses. I completely don't get this.
I have ADHD and I have never seen any symptom overlap (not any more than with neuro-typical people! ) between my presentation of ADHD and my peers with high-functioning Autism.
In fact, it's like chalk and cheese. From my observations, Autism and ADHD are like the polar opposites of a spectrum.

It just feels so strange that someone process driven and introverted, someone who dislikes change or impulsive actions, someone who doesn't talk a mile an hour, someone who doesn't enjoy busy places and loud parties, somehow has the same type of neurological characteristics that I do. Apparently.

If everything is ADHD then nothing is ADHD.

🌟

I think the problem is that presentation of the behaviour of some children with ADHD can be very similar to those who have had chaotic upbringing, absent parent, no boundaries, electronics too early etc and I think the two have somehow become intertwined and is now a convenient label for some children who are badly behaved/out of control. If you think about it it’s a very convenient excuse for parents to who have been guilty of poor parenting, “not my fault, he/she has ADHD”. This takes away from those families who have struggled and done their best with a child who has genuine extra needs.

I have friends from the Chinese, Japanese and Indian communities who more or less say ADHD would not happen in their cultures because the children are taught discipline and respect. I wouldn’t consider them as ableist either, where there are children with obvious issues they are very much cherished.

thats my exact point @AuDHD4Me - sounds like you had a thorough assessment with info gathered from different sources.

I can assure you that isn’t always the case.

I have no issue with people seeking private health care. I do for many things. It’s awful that there is such a wait on the NHS (for everything).

But I still believe there are other explanations for observed behaviours that are not always adhd (as per my other comment).

Not sure what you're getting at here. I've not applied for me, I was talking about for my children. And it's not EASY

@Namddf I don’t know how old your daughter is but could there come a point where some adjustments at school/university could be necessary? She could access medication if required/desired.

The needing a diagnosis thing - for a lot of people with ADHD we’ve just grown up knowing we’re different from most other people, that we’re not doing as well as most other people in almost every way. Then we read about ADHD and a lightbulb goes on and all of a sudden it all makes sense but you’ve just read it on the internet so how do you actually know you do have it? You think you do but what if you are actually just lazy and shit at everything? Getting a diagnosis helps that. Because someone else, someone qualified is telling you you’re not just shit. You do actually have something wrong with your brain. For some people reading about it and having that lightbulb moment will be enough but for many others they need it confirmed. And of course if you’re hoping to go onto medication then you’ll need a diagnosis.

For me personally I felt better about myself as soon as I realised but having it confirmed helped even more. I haven’t told any family though for many reasons but one is I would feel guilty if my parents felt bad for not realising. So it’s good if it’s already something that’s discussed in your house.

YANBU, it is very irksome.

Because the professionals who give the diagnosis assess your ability and functioning in a range of relevant cognitive fields. So you can understand why you struggle with the things you do and give you suitable strategies.

For children absolutely it opens the door to more appropriate methods of teaching, and targeted interventions designed to build functionality in the affected areas, as well a strategies to accommodate them. Where necessary, it can allow meds to be given if it was thought that would improve their functionality and quality of life ( not to 'drug them up, as the daily mail would have ypu believe).
E.g. if you are going to need to concentrate for an extended time, build in activity breaks, visual reminders about what you are doing and chunk the task. Understand that your visual processing is likely to be stronger than auditory.
Sadly, adults need to go privately for this sort of support.
My last comment was because...isn't this bloody obvious. I mean, how did you think they get the diagnosis? What did you think happens after it is given? I'm genuinely baffled...
Did you think they hung an evacuee style label around your neck saying ADHD, patted you on the head and sent you on your way?
Have you actually thought about it?

Yes my mother and sister were able to provide evidence very easily as did I. When it’s impacted your life and those around you it’s remembered. I will remember my daughters struggles as long as my family remembered mine.

Some people are becoming more aware of it and other neurodivergent conditions, some people are starting to shout about it because it needs highlighting, some people are becoming brave and less embarrassed about the stigma that surrounds/surrounded it in adults, some people have finally found s reason for why they are how they are and now feel that they belong when they never have ever in their lives anywhere. Then there's people like you. 👍

@AuDHD4Me if you have high care needs such as help with washing, dressing, taking meds then it shouldn't difficult to get pip.
My friends daughter has severe Autism and she needs help with all 3 at age 40. She's also non verbal, and doesn't have the ability to go on mumsnet and converse with people, work, have a relationship. This is why she qualifies.

What ordinary people?

The criteria are male-presentation focused.

my mum was able to provide evidence of male and female characteristics from pre 7, pre 12 and my teenage years. I fit the diagnostic criteria perfectly.

Perhaps if you have symptoms and know you have adhd then getting a diagnosis doesn’t help but adhd diagnoses didn’t exist when I was young, alcoholism has been a thing in my family, I’ve had insomnia throughout adulthood, problems with socialising and friendships -told myself everyone’s like this (not the insomnia) - blamed upbringing/ lack of willpower/ unattractiveness -then discover -SHIT it’s adhd.
Can stop blaming myself and self criticism. Happiest I’ve been.

And that leads to almost every ordinary person being diagnosed?

moanybird

I have a similar daughter and have been diagnosed with ASC and ADHD after her struggles. I absolutely was saying I had both before my diagnosis because I did. My misfortune in not getting a diagnosis as early as she did through no fault of my own absolutely did not discredit her.

Present according to whom? According to the self-report, several decades later, of the person seeking diagnosis!

Read the criteria. How many people couldn't make a case that they had "several" of them to a problematic degree before age 12. The idea that this is remotely scientific is nonsense.

I spent over 2 hours with a consultant psych who wanted evidence from my parents and husband and spent the time covering every aspect of my health, education, relationships and experiences. It was gruelling and I hit all of the diagnostic criteria. It was followed a few weeks later by
a 24 page report.

it will be, that say, 7-9 years before I’m seen on the NHS.

What about people who are so laid back?

This.

Not yet. Had the ECG in readiness but trying to work out how long before the NHS will do shared care as private titration/meds are ££££££s.

@AuDHD4Me Are you saying that there are no other explanations for attention / executive function difficulties?

Some (by no means all) of the assessments I have heard about don’t give enough time and space to properly consider alternative explanations. You can pay a lot - just for an hours assessment and get a diagnosis. That’s not good practice. There’s no way I would be involved in that.

Im not disputing your diagnosis. So there is no need to be rude.

You may even be a clinician who has had lots of experience with referrals / different ways of assessment / good and bad practice. And can back up your view that I’m wrong with lots of evidence.
But you may also just have your own experience as evidence - which, while may have been a v good one doesn’t represent all practice.

But I stand by what I say - in my experience it’s over diagnosed. That doesn’t take away that for some people it’s accurate and helpful.

@FFSWhatToDoNow did you try meds? The first time my brain was quiet was freaky

Another shitty thread about ADHD. Why is it so hard to grasp that the symptoms of ADHD among girls and women are only starting to be fully understood? (usual default male template for every sodding thing.) This is a forum that, by its very nature, attracts predominantly women. A sizeable proportion of those women are in their forties, fifties and older. A number of these women, particularly those whose lives are adversely affected by traits they can't control, are at least going to wonder if there's a neurological explanation. But the vast majority of women haven't even had reason to wonder if they have ADHD. And don't underestimate the self loathing and shame that brought many to wonder if the chaos in their brain might not be their fault after all.

Oh and I'm SICK of the 'L' word. You know the one ... it can fuck right off.

YANBU