Page 2 | Can ADHD self diagnosis count in the workplace

whatisforteamum · 2023-05-03T14:33:37+00:00

I just wondered with the huge waiting times if accomadations can be made or put on record as I strongly suspect I have the hyperactive type. Has anyone gone down this route.Thank you in advance.

Aloealoealoevera · 03/05/2023 17:29

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Original poster

whatisforteamum · 03/05/2023 17:31

Lemoncurd1995 I can't until I see a professional.

OP posts:

DRS1970 · 03/05/2023 17:32

FFS! NO!

emmathedilemma · 03/05/2023 17:33

It seems to do in our (large, multi national) company to the point where self diagnosed people are now informing the business on how they can best be supported. 😬

lemoncurd1995 · 03/05/2023 17:36

whatisforteamum · 03/05/2023 17:31

Lemoncurd1995 I can't until I see a professional.

I'm really confused at what you are wanting a diagnosis for? You state in your post you want it for work, but state you aren't struggling with work. What will a diagnosis do for you? What will it change for you?

I'm not saying you don't have ADHD but the behaviours you described are totally normal too, like I said, I am all of those things and I don't have ADHD.

You say it might help your colleagues better understand you - how? You're basically saying you want to say you have ADHD so you have an excuse for being fidgety, interrupting and rushing around. Having the ADHD label won't necessarily make certain traits less annoying to others.

Maybe while you wait to see a professional, seek out things which you can do to help manage those behaviours if you believe they are causing you an issue. To me, the only one which is an issue is interrupting people. The rest are normal.

alltheevennumbers · 03/05/2023 17:41

FatGirlSwim · 03/05/2023 16:19

Those who have said no with such authority are incorrect. I work in disability law. You do not need a formal diagnosis to be covered by the Equality Act 2010 or to use Access to Work.

You are quite right that you don't need a formal diagnosis, and that to be covered by the act you need to have a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

OP, if as you say you don't need adjustments as you are not 'actually struggling', and this is more about being understood, can you just say that you think you may have ADHD, but haven't been assessed?

If you were struggling pre-diagnosis, that would presumably mean having a discussion about impairments to your executive function (so describing the functional incapacity, not proffering a diagnosis).

To get a diagnosis you would need to be assessed as meeting the criteria in DSM5, including clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with, or reduce the quality of functioning in two or more settings.

I guess lots of us have ADHD traits at sub-clinical levels? And lots of us have similar symptoms for other reasons?

TheSnowyOwl · 03/05/2023 17:50

FatGirlSwim · 03/05/2023 16:19

Those who have said no with such authority are incorrect. I work in disability law. You do not need a formal diagnosis to be covered by the Equality Act 2010 or to use Access to Work.

You are incorrect. By the OP’s own admittance they are actually not struggling at work, therefore, no adjustment required.

Original poster

whatisforteamum · 03/05/2023 18:17

Ok thank you for the replies. I would already be covered for anxiety so bad I had panic attacks.
I agree call it what you want I must be quite annoying however unintentional it is.

OP posts:

FatGirlSwim · 03/05/2023 18:25

TheSnowyOwl · 03/05/2023 17:50

You are incorrect. By the OP’s own admittance they are actually not struggling at work, therefore, no adjustment required.

Show quote history

You are incorrect.

The question was whether you need a formal diagnosis for accommodations to be made. The answer is no.

OP has also described struggles with communication, and difficulty focusing (not listening), as well as issues with task completion. These are workplace issues.

Original poster

whatisforteamum · 03/05/2023 18:29

Oneringtorulethemall thank you.That is very helpful.I did hear the area manager mentioning her autistic relative several times in earshot of me.
It could be that we are just very different people.

OP posts:

Deathbyfluffy · 03/05/2023 18:31

1AnotherOne · 03/05/2023 15:38

No I doubt it. I score extremely highly on then self assessment. I cba with wait times nor can I afford a private assessment (£1000 plus £200 per month for meds which is what my friends are paying)

I’ve lived with it this long, I know what triggers I have and how I can cope in situations. I manage my workload in a way that suits me.

That’s nothing like the cost of going private, having just done it myself.
Halve both of your figures for a more accurate representation

1AnotherOne · 03/05/2023 18:35

Deathbyfluffy · 03/05/2023 18:31

That’s nothing like the cost of going private, having just done it myself.
Halve both of your figures for a more accurate representation

Show quote history

Can I ask who you went with? As I said this was the prices two of my friends have just paid at two separate clinics

MichelleScarn · 03/05/2023 18:37

@FatGirlSwim so my colleague who interrupts, talks over other people and leaves tasks they're meant to do incomplete (as they mansplain to us silly 'female types' and are arrogant and lazy) could now say they are covered by legislation for us to put up with it?

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 03/05/2023 18:40

I'm terrible for interrupting and as soon as I catch myself doing it I try to apologise immediately. I also say to people "if I interrupt when I shouldn't, I'm not being rude I just didn't think, please just correct me at the time". Clear communication can help everyone.

nirbil · 03/05/2023 18:47

Why are you asking if it can count in the workplace if you don't actually need any adjustments in the workplace?

Are you just looking for people to validate your self diagnosis so you can tell your colleagues you have ADHD?

BertieBotts · 03/05/2023 18:55

Be extremely cautious about mentioning ADHD at work. The majority of people do not have a good understanding of the disorder and may well think you're using it as an excuse to be lazy. I do not think this! But it's a very common view and without an official diagnosis you have no protection. They might also make assumptions about you based on it.

Honestly even with a proper diagnosis I would hold off and avoid saying anything unless you're really on the verge of getting fired or something. Ask for accomodations individually as they occur to you and frame it like "I work best this way" rather than "because of my ADHD..."

Bamboozleme · 03/05/2023 19:16

Deathbyfluffy · 03/05/2023 18:31

That’s nothing like the cost of going private, having just done it myself.
Halve both of your figures for a more accurate representation

Show quote history

my son’s assessment was £2000
very much the norm
and too right… with a consultant psychiatrist and was extremely detailed

who was yours with?

SouthCountryGirl · 03/05/2023 19:25

"without an official diagnosis you have no protection. "

Incorrect. The Equalities Act doesn't require you to have a diagnosis. You must just have a long term condition that affects day to day life.

I don't have a proper diagnosis for one of my conditions. But my needs are just as valid as my other diagnosed conditions.

Original poster

whatisforteamum · 03/05/2023 21:06

Thank you southcountrygirl.

OP posts:

lemoncurd1995 · 03/05/2023 21:09

MichelleScarn · 03/05/2023 18:37

@FatGirlSwim so my colleague who interrupts, talks over other people and leaves tasks they're meant to do incomplete (as they mansplain to us silly 'female types' and are arrogant and lazy) could now say they are covered by legislation for us to put up with it?

Pretty much!! Makes complete sense

Ablababla · 03/05/2023 21:12

As ppl say you don’t need a formal diagnosis. It might help to get on the waiting list for one via your gp? I’ve found it helpful to put a short document together to send to my line manager which outlines the conditions I have and how it can affect me in the workplace.

BertieBotts · 04/05/2023 08:27

I'm talking about protection from being fired - if she starts going on about having ADHD and the boss happens to be really prejudiced against it and goes oh no, I can't have her on my team and looks for the first excuse to fire you, then you don't have any comeback because there's officially nothing on record.

alltheevennumbers · 04/05/2023 19:29

BertieBotts · 04/05/2023 08:27

I'm talking about protection from being fired - if she starts going on about having ADHD and the boss happens to be really prejudiced against it and goes oh no, I can't have her on my team and looks for the first excuse to fire you, then you don't have any comeback because there's officially nothing on record.

You are quite right that you don't need a formal diagnosis. You do need functional incapacities that meet the terms of the act: having a physical or mental impairment that has a 'substantial' and 'long-term' negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

Case law appears mixed as to whether (diagnosed) individuals have been found to meet this definition. As ever it would depend on individual circumstances...