Does anyone think they DONT have ADHD?

[Frenchtoastie]

I keep seeing posts on instagram with various reasons why someone has ADHD and then hundreds of comments below reporting these people also have all of these symptoms.
Just wondering if anyone reads these and doesn’t relate to them? To me they are just part of being human, but maybe I am completely wrong and I have ADHD🤣

the posts generally include statement along these lines…

• I find it hard to get going or impossible to stop
• I can put off a tiny task for weeks but worry about it for hours but when I finally complete it it takes 5 minutes
• I can distracted and start cleaning after the shower and suddenly I’ve cleaned the whole house whilst wearing my towel
• Having a chair covered in clothes
• having multiple drinks on the go in the house
• needing a calender because if not I would forget appointments

It has been clarified by the review that those coming for diagnosis now aren’t any less impaired than previously.

I’m diagnosed adhd and the number of people self diagnosing without a proper assessment or sharing “funny” videos about it drives me absolutely insane.

I was late diagnosed but before that was really struggling. I don’t find adhd a “super power”. The assessment process involves a detailed look into how it presented in childhood. Being a bit scatty isnt adhd.

I did not know that was the prescription. Isn’t Theanine something anyone can get in a health food shop?

L-theanine is meant to help with focus but it is not something you get prescribed nor is it something you should take instead of adhd medication if you have a diagnosis.

You clearly have no idea what ADHD is, and I’m glad because that means you haven’t had to live with it. I never said I wanted medication, I dont or a proper diagnosis. It was only when my son got diagnosed that I was able to understand myself. And why I did so badly in school. So my grandmother, my mother, my uncle my brother all alcoholics. In my family I have a son, nephew , cousin, all boys properly diagnosed with ADHD. These boys are finding daily life hard, have anxiety and insomnia. As girls we tend to deal with it better. You’ve said I’ve functioned well enough. Well maybe I wanted more in life than to hang on to lt by a thread with a constant feeling of dread.

I think this thread is actually more so bringing out the self diagnosed than anyone actually with adhd to be honest so not sure if that proves the op's point or not.

Couldn’t it also be a case of handing down behaviours? A child of a smoker is more likely to smoke etc

An alcoholic in the family causes abuse to their family. Abused children are more likely to seek an anaesthetic in the form of drugs or alcohol. The children may also think drinking a lot is normal, or start helping themselves from their parents stash and start to drink too young.

I heard on the radio one of the reviewers say there is some over diagnosis but also people being very badly let down by under diagnosis/ not being able to get access to NHS services for years.

YABVU. It's called a neurodevelopmental disorder for a reason.
Perhaps these facts will shed some light, (from lectures and research by Dr Russel Berkley)

25% to 26% of adult prison inmates have ADHD

Persistent Adult ADHD: Associated with a reduction of approximately 11 to 13 years in total life expectancy compared to neurotypical control group

Individuals with ADHD not only have a shorter lifespan, but also experience a higher number of unhealthy years

Accidents and Injury: Higher rates of traffic/vehicular crashes, accidental injuries, and emergency room visits (with children and young adults with ADHD facing up to double the risk of early accidental death)

Increased vulnerability to tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, and marijuana use, which elevate long-term risks for coronary heart disease and cancers

No, the independent review did not conclude that there is overdiagnosis of ADHD and autism, though it found that the risk of overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis is increasing partly due to how difficult it is to get an NHS diagnosis where help is locked behind lengthy diagnosis waitlists.

The report recommended moving away from a system that requires a formal diagnosis before offering help, advocating instead for a "needs-led plus diagnosis" approach to provide early intervention. It called for tougher quality regulations and a ban on advertising for private firms offering assessments for the NHS.

All good suggestions however I hope they remember how ADH and Autism can present differently in women and girls.

Well yes, on its own the alcoholic thing is just an addiction problem. But then you add the boys, who have had official diagnosis but spread over the family, some live in different countries so not like they all got together and talked about it. Three boys all have the same problems, who have never lived or played together and who are all different ages. look i’m not going to change your opinion here you clearly have made your mind up and that’s fine.

It’s well known that those with adhd often self medicate. The help meds can give with this can be staggering. Was in my family.

@Wildefish i didn’t mean to cause upset of offend you so apologies if so. I think many many many people feel they want more from life than perhaps they are capable of achieving! I think this is a very normal feeling and part of everyday life. I don’t know anyone who is completely satisfied with what they’ve achieved; and I know lots of people who would also feel they’re hanging by a thread. This doesn’t mean there is anything medically wrong with you or that you’re different to most other people- that’s what I’m trying to say. Everybody is different and it’s incorrect to assume there is one way of thinking / behaving that is normal & without struggle, and another that is abnormal and causes people to struggle. Everyone has different behavior traits that serve them well or not in various situations; I think a lot of what is mentioned here is simply this and a lack of recognition of this, for whatever reason.

I know I definitely don't because I have family members that do that drive me fucking nuts. Particularly my DM. Even as a small child I would be so annoyed by her chaos. I think I am subconsciously extra organised and productive from my experience of family with ADHD.

These symptoms are all in common with adverse childhood experiences, trauma and neglect too though. People in prisons are statistically extremely highly likely to have suffered in this way.

I think a lot of untangling needs to be done when someone presents with the very real symptoms.

Yes everyone has traits of this and that. But when you have them all and I have them all then surely there is something to it. I’m not looking for excuses for my life choices, don’t worry it was all me. All my choices. One last thing to think about. If a person has all the criteria for an illness, but you can’t see that illness, are you suggesting it only exists in their mind.

There’s definitely overlap and trauma needs assessing properly, but if someone also has ADHD it still needs treating. The two aren’t mutually exclusive. Undiagnosed / untreated ADHD will likely cause more trauma.

I definitely don't have ADHD. I have and use a calendar. I don't know anyone who doesn't use one or a diary.

On the radio I recently hear NHS doctor explaining that their job is only to do an autism assessment ( I cannot remember if adhd was also included.

He was bemoaning the fact that they get people who have very real problems, but prove not to be autistic, who receive no follow-up treatment or advice. They also see people who are diagnosed with autism who also receive no follow up treatment or advice.

I often wonder who the amazing people are who are always tidy, don't need a calendar, and can focus and achieve whatever sort of career they want.

It seems like some think that is what is normal.

I am not remotely ADHD, but my brother is and is on meds even as an adult for it. It's a lot more than just these traits. It is defined by or should be defined by functional impairment in at least one domain (social, relationships, work/study). I mean this guy only got through uni by spending about 10k a year on illicit amphetamine and his car looks like a construction site.

There have also been many who on getting an autism diagnosis on top of severe mental illness are then rejected from services- because of their autism!

In order to get autism and adhd diagnosed they have to gave had a significant impact on life from childhood. That can’t be dismissed as normal behaviours.🤔

Just came in to say this.

ADHD only becomes an actual disorder when you are unable to live a normal life as a result. The "symptoms" are all normal minor malfunctioning of the varied human brain which almost everyone gets from time to time (if not they're probably autistic 🤣) but when they combine to stop you living normally, That's adhd.

I agree. Have two kids who are diagnosed AuDHD and I’m fairly certain my DH and I could meet the diagnostic criteria if we were bothered. If we had when we were younger, would have found those coping mechanisms? I have very mixed feelings about it all quite honestly, having friends diagnosed in their menopausal years when they’ve held down careers and raised families with no great drama up to that point. Modern life is extremely challenging, we’re all, particularly women, expected to juggle an enormous amount more which previously would have been the work of many it’s not surprising so many people are struggling to cope and feeling burnt out but I am not convinced it’s all neurodevelopmental.