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Friend is obsessed with having ADHD

193 replies

Ooooook · 23/08/2024 09:30

Over the last year, my friend has become obsessed with the thought of having ADHD. She watches lots of instagram reels and tells me she identifies with them all. I have listened to her and agreed she gets herself on the waiting list for assessment which she has done but she says she’s going to go to private. Fair enough. My issue is, she doesn’t talk about anything else anymore ever. If the conversation isn’t about ADHD, she’ll steer it back. She’ll send me reel after reel saying this is so me constantly. It’s things like she forgets where she’s put her keys or she’s sometimes late or she walks into people. I said oh same for a few of the reels because I also quite often forget where my keys are and she jumped on that and was like omg you also need to be assessed. She’s going around diagnosing everybody if they identify with even one of the things she’s seen like being late. I haven’t even known her to be particularly late, easily distracted or hyper focussing but she must feel like these are issues. She is obsessed. AIBU to not want to meet with her as much? I do sympathise that she wants support for maybe having ADHD but I can’t talk about it all the time and be told I’ve got it too, and my kids and our other friends too and be shown constant reels every time we meet. I feel like a bad friend but she’s driving me mad

OP posts:
Anitapu · 23/08/2024 12:39

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MonsteraMama · 23/08/2024 12:39

liverburd1 · 23/08/2024 12:10

I'm going through an identical thing with my DP right now.
I want to support him but I'm really struggling. He goes between being relieved at a diagnosis and realising he's not "broken" to being really down about having it.

There are also a lot of issues in our relationship and he now just apologises and says "that's my adhd causing that". It's almost as if because he knows why, that I'm now supposed to accept it.

The part I'm struggling with most is that he doesn't want medication/treatment/support from a medical professional.

I've been thinking of ending the relationship but the level of guilt I have is immense

I'm sorry to hear that, it must be so hard for you. I'm sure I put my husband through the ringer at one point, but one thing I've always been very careful not to do is use my diagnosis to excuse bad behaviour. It can explain it of course, but it doesn't mean I can just crack on with being a dickhead with no consequences.

Holding myself accountable for my behaviour, whatever caused it, and not using ADHD as a get out of jail free card has been really important to me. I see it used in that way only too often and it drives me nuts. ADHD is actually debilitating and people who embrace it and wave it around as a "no one can criticise my behaviour now" trophy are both concerning and damaging for those of us who desperately just want to live a functional existence and not be ruled by a diagnosis!

I say all that because you need not feel guilty for not being able to cope when he's doing nothing to manage it himself. You need to protect your own mental health. Don't set yourself on fire to keep him warm, if he refuses to do anything to manage his symptoms and is happy to behave poorly and just wave it away with "it's my ADHD" he's not being a good partner and you don't have to stay. Your exhaustion is completely valid and everyone has a limit. You have nothing to feel guilty about.

JaydeeeeP · 23/08/2024 12:35

Ooooook · 23/08/2024 12:23

Where have I said it would be obvious that someone has ADHD? I’m not disputing whether she has it or not- I’m not a doctor. I’m wondering if IABU to be getting annoyed with all the constant reels and talking about it

You basically said that because she was a straight A student she didn't fit the bill. You can't make assumptions just from what you see on the outside.

PatchTheGiantStuffedDog · 23/08/2024 12:34

iggleoggle · 23/08/2024 09:36

If everyone is neurodiverse, it’s not diverse anymore…

Well you're not wrong, but that doesn't mean those people aren't neurodiverse!

JaydeeeeP · 23/08/2024 12:34

EveningSpread · 23/08/2024 12:26

No, I just think we’re all different and pathologising and labelling everyone might not always be a good thing. Many people “mask” in many environments. Many people “deal with a lot”. Many people think quickly or deeply or get overstimulated. We’re all dealing with various forms of this all the time. It’s not necessary to be competitive about who’s having the harder time, or who is more unusual. We all struggle sometimes, we all adapt, or make allowances for others.

You are saying ADHD can't be a thing because we all mask. You are chatting shit. Crohns can't be a thing because people get stomach pain. Arthritis can't be a thing because we all get sore joints sometimes. Go and educate yourself.

Lovemusic82 · 23/08/2024 12:33

It’s pretty common for ND to obsess over things and at some point they often obsess over their own diagnosis and traits.

As a ND person I would rather my friends told me to “stop with all the ADHD stuff” rather than them moan about me on the internet to others. Just tell her “that you know it’s a stressful time, you believe her and she doesn’t have to keep ramming the evidence in your face”? ND prefer it if you’re straight with them. The reason I don’t have many female friends is because I hate how they talk behind your back and are nice to your face 😬. Just talk to her.

ladyamy · 23/08/2024 12:30

Carebearsonmybed · 23/08/2024 10:47

Sounds like it's become her special interest which is a neurodivergent trait.

Maybe stop discriminating against her for her disability?

Discriminating against her?

FreedomDogs · 23/08/2024 12:29

AvonCallingBarksdale · 23/08/2024 12:25

I have a friend who was diagnosed in her early 40s. It now completely defines her. Pretty much every sentence is prefaced with “because of my ADHD”. To the point where that’s all I see.

Presumably it is an enormous relief for her to finally understand her behaviour after over 40 years of struggling

TinkerTiger · 23/08/2024 12:28

Funnywonder · 23/08/2024 12:24

But ‘versions of’ something doesn’t really begin to explain the severe impact of a defined group of pervasive symptoms. My youngest son has Crohn’s Disease. This includes severe cramps, diarrhoea, fatigue, feeling sick etc. Does any of this sound familiar? Loads of people have these symptoms, but they don’t have Crohn’s Disease. Maybe IBS, coeliacs disease, or just unexplained occasional gastrointestinal issues. But they aren’t on lifelong medication with the likelihood of surgery in adulthood. People with ADHD exhibit human traits. They aren’t aliens. But those traits are so severe, debilitating and persistent that they affect their everyday lives in a very negative way.

Excellent post

Funnywonder · 23/08/2024 12:28

ManchesterLu · 23/08/2024 12:19

Because EVERYONE thinks they are these days. And if everyone has ADHD that makes it the norm, not a diversity.

Again, it’s divergence, not diversity. That just reads like nonsense. Do you think you have ADHD? If not, then it isn’t quite everyone.

FreedomDogs · 23/08/2024 12:28

Hyperfixation is a symptom of ADHD...

TinkerTiger · 23/08/2024 12:27

These ADHD/ND threads are EXHAUSTING

EveningSpread · 23/08/2024 12:26

JaydeeeeP · 23/08/2024 12:19

Oh I see you're one of them who doesn't think ADHD is a thing. You know that people with ADHD mask and deal with a lot inside whilst trying to show a normal exterior? Like 5 million things hitting off every brain cell whilst just trying to keep calm and listen in class? Is that what you mean? Or no, you just mean keeping some things to yourself or not letting work know that your kitchen is a mess?

No, I just think we’re all different and pathologising and labelling everyone might not always be a good thing. Many people “mask” in many environments. Many people “deal with a lot”. Many people think quickly or deeply or get overstimulated. We’re all dealing with various forms of this all the time. It’s not necessary to be competitive about who’s having the harder time, or who is more unusual. We all struggle sometimes, we all adapt, or make allowances for others.

AvonCallingBarksdale · 23/08/2024 12:25

I have a friend who was diagnosed in her early 40s. It now completely defines her. Pretty much every sentence is prefaced with “because of my ADHD”. To the point where that’s all I see.

Cornettoninja · 23/08/2024 12:25

Ok, she’s clearly aware of adhd traits so I don’t see the issue in pointing out that she’s hyper focussing on it and you’re finding it difficult.

Being ND doesn’t mean that every trait you have is indulged, it’s about learning strategies to manage that alongside others in social situations especially from your perspective. I think it’s perfectly acceptable to discuss and decide on boundaries with her. You’re both people with needs inside a friendship and there’s more to her than an adhd diagnosis.

Funnywonder · 23/08/2024 12:24

EveningSpread · 23/08/2024 12:12

But if we all do versions of these behaviours then ultimately we’re just talking about being a human aren’t we

But ‘versions of’ something doesn’t really begin to explain the severe impact of a defined group of pervasive symptoms. My youngest son has Crohn’s Disease. This includes severe cramps, diarrhoea, fatigue, feeling sick etc. Does any of this sound familiar? Loads of people have these symptoms, but they don’t have Crohn’s Disease. Maybe IBS, coeliacs disease, or just unexplained occasional gastrointestinal issues. But they aren’t on lifelong medication with the likelihood of surgery in adulthood. People with ADHD exhibit human traits. They aren’t aliens. But those traits are so severe, debilitating and persistent that they affect their everyday lives in a very negative way.

Ooooook · 23/08/2024 12:23

JaydeeeeP · 23/08/2024 11:55

Whats that got to do with explaining that I masked whilst having ADHD because OP thinks it would be obvious that someone has ADHD. Making a point to the OP that just because people appear like they don't have ADHD doesn't mean they don't. I wasn't talking about whether all people mask or not.

Where have I said it would be obvious that someone has ADHD? I’m not disputing whether she has it or not- I’m not a doctor. I’m wondering if IABU to be getting annoyed with all the constant reels and talking about it

OP posts:
Ooooook · 23/08/2024 12:21

SummerSnowstorm · 23/08/2024 12:05

Did you notice the irony of you saying you haven't noticed her hyperfocusing, then in the next sentence saying she's obsessing over this 😂
Shell probably reduce it over time, I'd imagine it's a huge thing to finally understand why she's struggling with things.

I haven’t noticed it before this. I’m not saying that means she hasn’t done it just that I wasn’t aware before this that she was hyper focussing on stuff

OP posts:
JaydeeeeP · 23/08/2024 12:19

EveningSpread · 23/08/2024 12:12

But if we all do versions of these behaviours then ultimately we’re just talking about being a human aren’t we

Oh I see you're one of them who doesn't think ADHD is a thing. You know that people with ADHD mask and deal with a lot inside whilst trying to show a normal exterior? Like 5 million things hitting off every brain cell whilst just trying to keep calm and listen in class? Is that what you mean? Or no, you just mean keeping some things to yourself or not letting work know that your kitchen is a mess?

ManchesterLu · 23/08/2024 12:19

Funnywonder · 23/08/2024 09:48

It's neurodivergent, not neurodiverse. That makes no sense. Why does this one person believing strongly that she has ADHD mean that 'everyone' is neurodivergent?

Because EVERYONE thinks they are these days. And if everyone has ADHD that makes it the norm, not a diversity.

Anitapu · 23/08/2024 12:19

This reply has been deleted

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WorriedMama12 · 23/08/2024 12:15

H0PE1 · 23/08/2024 10:48

My friend also went private. Not sure she would have got the diagnosis otherwise. I mean it's meant to severely impact your life for it to be diagnosed. She's fine

These private ADHD diagnostic companies have a very high rate of diagnosing people who pay the money for an assessment.

EveningSpread · 23/08/2024 12:12

JaydeeeeP · 23/08/2024 11:55

Whats that got to do with explaining that I masked whilst having ADHD because OP thinks it would be obvious that someone has ADHD. Making a point to the OP that just because people appear like they don't have ADHD doesn't mean they don't. I wasn't talking about whether all people mask or not.

But if we all do versions of these behaviours then ultimately we’re just talking about being a human aren’t we

MrsSunshine2b · 23/08/2024 12:11

She's hyper-focusing. It's entirely normal and understandable. Getting a diagnosis for ADHD can be life changing when you've spent your whole life wondering "what's wrong" with you. It will wear off. ND people often appreciate honesty so maybe you can just say, "Hey, I recognise this is massive for you and I'm supportive of you getting diagnosed, but I'm a bit fatigued with talking about it. Can we talk about insert subject instead?"

liverburd1 · 23/08/2024 12:10

MonsteraMama · 23/08/2024 10:00

Ok so I have ADHD and wasn't diagnosed until adulthood and I am cringing a little because I see myself in her and I know I drove my friends absolutely batshit in the run up to my official diagnosis. I was completely obsessed because I finally, finally had an explanation for the many behaviours I'd spent my life being told we're just me being a bad person. It's quite a momentous thing.

That being said some of those tiktok videos are very stupid and do more harm than good as they portray completely normal human behaviours as being symptoms of something. Nothing more annoying than the "I'm a mom with OCD!" videos showing her neatly lining up her lipsticks and organising her fridge, when the only mum I know with actual OCD has no fingernails because she ritually scrubbed her hands so viciously that her nailbeds got infected.

I think taking a few steps back for your own sake honestly isn't a bad thing. It can be a lot getting wrapped up in someone else's fixation tornado. If she's a very good friend you might try just gently talking to her about it, but it she's more a casual friend/acquaintance it's ok to step back.

I'm going through an identical thing with my DP right now.
I want to support him but I'm really struggling. He goes between being relieved at a diagnosis and realising he's not "broken" to being really down about having it.

There are also a lot of issues in our relationship and he now just apologises and says "that's my adhd causing that". It's almost as if because he knows why, that I'm now supposed to accept it.

The part I'm struggling with most is that he doesn't want medication/treatment/support from a medical professional.

I've been thinking of ending the relationship but the level of guilt I have is immense

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