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

Absolutely.
My comment was explaining to the pp how you can have ADHD and both struggle to focus at some points, and also have hyperfocus.
I put off a diagnosis for years because I used to work as a computer programmer. I thought 'I cant have ADHD, because I can focus really intently on programming'.
Ironically, I later discovered that computer programming is an occupation where a higher percentage of workers have ADHD than in the general population.

Yes, nothing worse than it being used as a get out of jail free card. No, having ADHD does not give you carte blanche to behave in any way you want to and avoid all responsibility.

Just as an aside, I do know a couple of people with diagnosed ADHD who have a PhD. The whole hyperfocus thing is a great help there.

It's complex though. Some people are disabled by their ADHD to the point that they actually can't do some things in at least some circumstances on a more or less absolute basis (or they may only be able to do them with medication). It's obviously important to expect children to try as hard as they can to overcome their issues but by the time people get to adulthood they probably know which of their symptoms they can control at least most of the time and which things they just can't do on any sort of sustainable basis. It boils down to the fact that a disability does actually disable people - it can't sustainably be overcome with effort and strategies (although someone with a milder presentation may be able to overcome their symptoms in this way).

Also, not everyone with ADHD experiences hyperfocus. It's very handy for those that do though!

I'm not talking about people who are disabled to that level. I'm talking about the people who make it their whole personality and believe it absolves them of having to make any effort at all. I know that doesn't describe most, but there is a minority.

Yes, I know not everyone with ADHD has the hyperfocus thing. I was pointing out that ADHD does not necessarily preclude someone from doing a PhD. I should have been clearer.

I have 3 kids with adhd I’m constantly being told by various people I definitely have it too and should seek a diagnosis. I don’t know if I do or don’t have it but either way I am me and I don’t feel I struggle in the same way my kids do so I’ll just get on with being the way I am!

All of these in your OP list apply to me - I do not have ADHD.

I am guilty of spending too much time looking at screens and doing far too much scrolling on mindless social media sometimes, though. I notice it reduces my focus on tasks and my willingness to engage in them, especially the more boring ones.

Never underestimate the power of the readily accessible dopamine hits that tech provides us with - particularly social media! There are consequences! Just my opinion.

For me, all those things you listed are a normal part of the human experience.

Also, I am not saying they can't also be part of an ADHD experience; I'm not a medical professional, so it would be remiss of me to go that far.

My DS 6 has ASD, and severe ADHD, and I think it’s a very different diagnosis to those who have lived a full life, with just a bit of forgetfulness, or getting a bit distracted.

My DS does not stop moving, has zero impulse control, would walk in front of a moving car without even thinking of road safety, would go off with a stranger. Reacts without thinking, and gets so angry at himself for acting this way.

If I wanted I’m sure I could get an ADHD diagnosis but as it doesn’t really negatively impact my life, I feel no need.

Those who just have a bit of forgetfulness or a bit distracted aren’t going to get a diagnosis.

You do realise most late diagnosed women were completely shut out of the diagnosis system during their younger years .

It is good you say it does not have an impact on your life, but it sounds as though you must be very empathetic and also vigilant in order to help him.

I don't have ADHD and let's face it, neither do you.

Absolutely. My DM has had so many addictions in her life, gambling, amphetamines, smoking (cigarettes and marijuana), bad (exciting) men! Even down to drinking ten coffees a day.
It's like it's actually painful for her to have a sensible, ordinary life. Anything for that dopamine!

The coffee isn't, or isn't just, an addiction, it's medication. If she didn't take prescribed stimulants than she needed other stimulants.

it's actually painful for her to have a sensible, ordinary life

Good description of how it feels. To her, that's probably very accurate.

I don't think it's entirely anecdotal. I think it's accepted that adhd risk-taking behaviours linked to boosting dopamine levels make individuals more susceptible to indulging in substance abuse. This link is reduced when adhd is diagnosed and well managed early enough in life to make a difference.

Comparing myself to my 23 year old who has ADD - not the hyperactivity part - I most definitely do not have ADD or ADHD.

It's a shame that so many people are leaping on the bandwagon as often his very real struggles are not taken seriously.

Mine is 10 diagnosed with inattentive adhd and I completely agree with you. There's so many misconceptions and with a sub-type it's even harder.

You could say this about most 6 year old boys.

I was diagnosed by one of the UK’s leading consultant psychiatrists. I’ll go with their expert opinion rather than your uninformed prejudice.

Yeah, that consultant doesn't have ADHD either.

On the other hand his qualifications suggest that he has some intelligence, which is more than your posts on this thread say about you.

His qualifications don't have ADHD either.

I agree with you to a certain extent. i think it is definitely worth considering separating out the autism diagnosis into “high supports needs” and “the rest”. However, you do also sound very dismissive. You can’t get an adult ADHD or autism diagnosis with minor problems like a ‘bit of forgetfulness’ or ‘getting a bit distracted’. What you are forgetting about is the hidden and invisible difficulties and masking.

I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD in my 50s.

I want to grammar school and have a degree. Most people would think I had a good career. However, I really underperformed. I never once got promoted.

My psychiatrist has given me a Global Assessment of Functioning score of 51-60 out of 100 and describes me as “vulnerable”. I do not have any psychiatric illnesses. This is a “moderate” level of difficulty in psychological, social and occupational functioning. My friends and family would be shocked to hear this. Quite a few of them don’t even believe I have adhd and autism.

Most oncologists manage to diagnose cancer without having it themselves. It’s a funny old world, isn’t it!

I'm odd - I must be on some spectrum, I just don't know what.

Oncologist doesn't have ADHD either, so there's that.

Not the Anno Domini High Definition one?