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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

social media is convincing all our kids they are nd?

511 replies

AuntMarch · 09/08/2025 14:38

I've just been sat on the bus and the tiktok videos I'm hearing almost have me seeking a diagnosis.
"ADHD TEST" Put a finger down if you've ever focused on something so much you've lost track of time/ sometimes think you talk too much or not enough.."
it's basically covered every possible behaviour and it's video after video.

it's no wonder every kid thinks they have something.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
MyLimeGuide · 12/08/2025 19:10

x2boys · 12/08/2025 18:57

So why would she get a diagnosis if she doesn't have ADHD are you saying those that assessed her are incompetent ?and what does she gain from it?

Maybe they are. She gains free legal drugs, a cool title and weightloss.

LlamaNoDrama · 12/08/2025 19:17

MyLimeGuide · 12/08/2025 19:10

Maybe they are. She gains free legal drugs, a cool title and weightloss.

A cool to title? Like Mrs Smith (ADHD)

CiffHang3r · 12/08/2025 21:29

MyLimeGuide · 12/08/2025 18:53

Because I just know. Well she has it about as much as I do (i also tick all the boxes) i also tick all the autism trait boxes but its not enough to determine a SEN diagnosis is my opinion its just being a human. There is limited resources for SEN people I would like it if it was saved for the deserved and much needed.

Ticking trait boxes isn’t going to get you a diagnosis. Anybody who thinks it’s just being human does not have it.

CiffHang3r · 12/08/2025 21:30

MyLimeGuide · 12/08/2025 19:10

Maybe they are. She gains free legal drugs, a cool title and weightloss.

How is having ADhD cool? It’s wrecked my life and the lives of my children. How is that cool?

coxesorangepippin · 12/08/2025 21:32

It's a spectrum!!!

It's includes everyone!!

Yippee!!!

Joking aside, I do think a lot of people just want a special snowflake label

It really is that basic

coxesorangepippin · 12/08/2025 21:33

What's DLA? £300 + a month?

BCBird · 12/08/2025 21:36

I agree. I was in a discussion the other day with a child who told me he had ADHD. He then proceeded to tell me that everyone has ADHD. A colleague told me that there loads of videos on Tik Tok persuading people they are ND. 🙄

x2boys · 12/08/2025 21:41

coxesorangepippin · 12/08/2025 21:33

What's DLA? £300 + a month?

It depends on the rates it can be as little as £80 odd / month up to just under £800 / month my son gets the highest rates but we have opted for a mobility car so get £400 and odd,/ month the mobility element pays for the car.

x2boys · 12/08/2025 21:44

coxesorangepippin · 12/08/2025 21:32

It's a spectrum!!!

It's includes everyone!!

Yippee!!!

Joking aside, I do think a lot of people just want a special snowflake label

It really is that basic

No it DOESN'T for the umpteenth time it only includes those who are actually autistic hence the name autistic spectrum disorder
Same with ADHD.

CiffHang3r · 12/08/2025 21:45

BCBird · 12/08/2025 21:36

I agree. I was in a discussion the other day with a child who told me he had ADHD. He then proceeded to tell me that everyone has ADHD. A colleague told me that there loads of videos on Tik Tok persuading people they are ND. 🙄

There are lots of things on TikTok. If you truly believe everything on TikTok can persuade young people into believing anything that isn’t true you have bigger things to worry about than ADHD.

alltoowelltmv · 12/08/2025 21:49

Ok so I don't know if anyone's said this yet as I only read the first few replies and was sent into a rage.

If you take ADHD meds and don't have ADHD, you'll get high. You won't be helped.

I really don't think there is anyone being prescribed ADHD meds that don't need them...

CiffHang3r · 12/08/2025 21:50

alltoowelltmv · 12/08/2025 21:49

Ok so I don't know if anyone's said this yet as I only read the first few replies and was sent into a rage.

If you take ADHD meds and don't have ADHD, you'll get high. You won't be helped.

I really don't think there is anyone being prescribed ADHD meds that don't need them...

Almost half don’t go on meds- for good reasons. Not everybody wants the side effects.

alltoowelltmv · 12/08/2025 22:06

CiffHang3r · 12/08/2025 21:50

Almost half don’t go on meds- for good reasons. Not everybody wants the side effects.

My son has ADHD and is medicated as it was the only way for him to be able to stay in school (he was 8 when he was diagnosed) and he actually hasn't had too many side effects, mostly just headaches now and again. But I do know there are side effects.

I have my ADHD assessment tomorrow as it's having two ND children that's made me realised how many of their traits I share and how my struggles with 'anxiety' and other things might actually be undiagnosed ND. I'm not sure whether I'd risk the medication or even be able to have it as I've got ectopic heart beats as it is. Why anyone would risk the side effects if they haven't got ADHD baffles me.

CiffHang3r · 12/08/2025 22:23

Exactly this. I was diagnosed by the NHS after my dc were NHS diagnosed. My children are young adults now and medicated. They hate the side effects which can be quite scary but they have been life changing. ADHS has had a horrific impact on their lives. I tried meds but found them scary and as I’m near retirement I focused on the therapy the NHS provides. If I was still
in education or had the job I’m qualified for I’d have pushed through with the meds .

TempestTost · 12/08/2025 22:53

CiffHang3r · 10/08/2025 16:23

Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t persuade people they’re ND when they aren’t. If you can then the entire young population are loons, none are safe on SM and we have way bigger things to worry about than info on autism and adhd. 🙄

What a bizarre comment, people get convinced of all kinds of things.

People used to be convinced they were possessed by demons. There are all kinds of medical conditions people have really believed they had which turned out to be totally made up diseases.

There were all those girls in the US convinced they had Tourettes, and in fact started showing symptoms, seemingly believing it was real themselves, but it wasn't.

What could possibly lead you to think that no one can be convinced that they are NS when they are not?

CiffHang3r · 13/08/2025 05:42

TempestTost · 12/08/2025 22:53

What a bizarre comment, people get convinced of all kinds of things.

People used to be convinced they were possessed by demons. There are all kinds of medical conditions people have really believed they had which turned out to be totally made up diseases.

There were all those girls in the US convinced they had Tourettes, and in fact started showing symptoms, seemingly believing it was real themselves, but it wasn't.

What could possibly lead you to think that no one can be convinced that they are NS when they are not?

Then they have bigger problems. All sorts of things appear on my SM feeds re cancers and conditions. I barely click on them let alone click and persuade myself I have said conditions. Neither would any of the teens and young people I know.

TigerRag · 13/08/2025 07:45

coxesorangepippin · 12/08/2025 21:32

It's a spectrum!!!

It's includes everyone!!

Yippee!!!

Joking aside, I do think a lot of people just want a special snowflake label

It really is that basic

We're not special snowflakes and I'd rather not have a diagnosis

CiffHang3r · 13/08/2025 07:53

TigerRag · 13/08/2025 07:45

We're not special snowflakes and I'd rather not have a diagnosis

Yes I’d rather my kids weren’t afflicted with such a hideous condition. It has caused huge damage to their lives. I’m so proud of how hard they’re battling. Some of the most resilient people I know and in no way snowflakes. They probably have more grit in their little fingers than some posting on here.

Throwitawayagain · 13/08/2025 10:43

coxesorangepippin · 12/08/2025 21:33

What's DLA? £300 + a month?

DLA is awarded on the basis of impact of disability on specific functions. Not diagnosis. You don't get DLA just because you have ADHD.

You sound like one of these eejits who think asylum seekers get luxury housing and bags of cash.

JoyDivision79 · 13/08/2025 12:40

TempestTost · 12/08/2025 22:53

What a bizarre comment, people get convinced of all kinds of things.

People used to be convinced they were possessed by demons. There are all kinds of medical conditions people have really believed they had which turned out to be totally made up diseases.

There were all those girls in the US convinced they had Tourettes, and in fact started showing symptoms, seemingly believing it was real themselves, but it wasn't.

What could possibly lead you to think that no one can be convinced that they are NS when they are not?

This thread is so depressing. Every uneducated comment is from the camp ' it's for the meds' or ' everyone's got ADHD now'.

You can't get an assessment on the NHS for love nor money now - statistically, you're significantly more likely to wait years or have to go private.

Many GP practices are offloading responsibility entirely. This means people can't get these elusive medications easily at all. You must be formally diagnosed as a start.

Once diagnosed, you then need to find a private practitioner and then pay the monthly prescription costs. For what? I'd rather go score some shitty speed if it's only for the LOLs.

Those taking these meds will have to manage potentially huge side effects. The effect will not be the same for an ADHD person as a non ADHD person. I took speed recreationally a few times years ago. Let's say the effect of taking ADHD meds is akin to that for us NT folk; well, fuck that. Absolutely horrible. Again, why we don't have a huge speed epidemic; because who would 🤷. I accept some might and I accept some will abuse potentially.

The true problem is not this made up abuse of meds epidemic, it is a huge genuine ND population in society left to just deal with it and no access to anything, including assessments. Thus, the real problem is under diagnosis. Any tit in government will use the phrase over diagnosis simply to offload responsibility and costs. A reminder; they will lie to the public.

And who are these professionals diagnosing who are making it up? We have unethical wankers everywhere - yet, the reputational risk is too great for this to proliferate. I have been involved in assessments for my son. You don't sit there and say I'm hyperactive and then get diagnosed.

The reason for this explosion is because there really truly are a huge number of ND people. They meet a partner, have kids, say 2. Statistically, their kids will likely be ND. The parents get them assessed because they're noticing alot of struggles that don't fit their NT mates'. Then they say, hang on. All my life I've struggled extensively with x y z. And the penny drops. That is what's happening. It is genetically inherited at a significantly high rate.

Yes I'm sure there are a proportion of bell ends on SMedia. They can say what they like but isn't it only of importance if they actually get diagnosed? You don't get diagnosed because you said I fink I'm ADHD on TTok.

There's an incredibly stringent process for Autism; as per NICE guidelines. You can't just blag it. Most people posting here ref people they know they feel are making it up; it's a high likelihood they actually are ND and they've hidden alot from the public, friends and even family.

I'd like to see all these inappropriate ADHD diagnosees.Where are they. I'm not buying it at all. Not one bit.

Apart from the fantasy it's for drug seeking, I'm curious what posters feel would be the net benefit proclaiming to be ND? People are still having a very difficult time with stigma and judgement.

The DLA comment is laughable. Not happening ever. I'm out of pocket thousands and thousands as parent to an ND child. This does not include the losses all those mum's take who can't work because their ND kids can't access education.

The conclusion is - get off TikTok and all other SM cesspits that are the source of most people's upset more than any real problems.

flawlessflipper · 13/08/2025 12:50

@MyLimeGuide ADHD medication isn’t free unless someone is otherwise exempt from prescription charges.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 13/08/2025 12:51

TigerRag · 13/08/2025 07:45

We're not special snowflakes and I'd rather not have a diagnosis

Exactly. Having autism fucking sucks. I wish more than anything that I didn’t have it.

UmbrellaEllaEllaElla · 13/08/2025 12:56

I'm not sure I agree.
I'm late diagnosed ADHD.

As a child I had panic attacks, wet the bed, bit my nails until they bled, picked my skin and scalp and threw up a lot with anxiety.

I was good at school but not with maintaining relationships. Basically I could mask at school because of the structure. Take that away and I fell apart.

I think its a combo of:

  • Actually being ND is normal and lots of people are. I don't people who say people are trying to be 'different' - we're trying to understand ourselves
  • Modern life also exacerbats ADHD like traits (whether there's a diagnosis or not) like lack of focus, difficulty with emotional regulation etc

I think it's a good thing it's getting more recognised.

It's simply recognising that people have different needs and requirements.

I'm also not 'out' at my new job about my ADHD so i manage it just me and my doctor and close friends who I'm comfortable to talk to about it. Adhd isn't an easy way out - lots of people hold a stigma towards it.

Bellsbeachwaves · 13/08/2025 13:15

CiffHang3r · 12/08/2025 21:29

Ticking trait boxes isn’t going to get you a diagnosis. Anybody who thinks it’s just being human does not have it.

Ticking boxes is precisely what a diagnosis is. That is literally the definition of 'diagnosis'.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 13/08/2025 13:20

Bellsbeachwaves · 13/08/2025 13:15

Ticking boxes is precisely what a diagnosis is. That is literally the definition of 'diagnosis'.

It absolutely isn’t. An autism diagnosis takes hours and is incredibly complex - your entire life is looked at - your childhood, your school years, your work history and medical history. My parents were interviewed for several hours too.

To receive a diagnosis of autism your symptoms have to have a severe impact on your life.