Misleading Yourself and Others: The Pitfalls of Self-Diagnosing ADHD

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Ok, deep breath: This is addressed to people with full access to healthcare professionals who can diagnose ADHD but choose to not get that diagnosis.

Let’s get one thing straight: saying “I think I have ADHD” without seeking a proper diagnosis is downright disrespectful. For those living with ADHD, it’s a daily battle against a condition recognized as a disability under the WHO, UN, EU, US, and UK. In the US it is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). When you casually claim ADHD without verification, you may not just be misleading yourself; you may be invalidating the entire lived experiences of an entire group of people and possibly perpetuating a false narrative about a serious medical disorder.

Self-Diagnosis Gets You Nowhere

You can’t diagnose yourself with ADHD after reading a few articles or taking an online quiz (Yes, I know what I just said, however one reliable resource to take to your doctor is this Symptom Checker by Additude Magazine is a good start – toward a diagnosis). ADHD symptoms often overlap with other conditions like anxiety, depression, and learning disabilities (which the symptom checker above also checks). Misdiagnosing yourself can lead to inappropriate treatments that do more harm than good.

If you’re so convinced you have ADHD, why haven’t you gotten a professional diagnosis? Here’s the thing, if you truly have ADHD, the consequences can be dire without the right support. Nope, not pushing pills. The right support looks different for everyone, and you have complete control in how you are supported, but you must have a diagnosis to access that support.

When the ADHD Controls You

If you genuinely have ADHD and you’re not seeking a diagnosis or treatment, you’re playing a dangerous game. ADHD can wreak havoc on your academic performance, work productivity, and personal relationships. Effective treatments are available— such as medication, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes— however, by avoiding a formal diagnosis, you’re opting to continue struggling unnecessarily. Why might that be? Well, if you have ADHD you may struggle with being told what to do. But here’s the thing, if you get a proper diagnosis, you’re back in control.

Taking Back Control

This is an important distinction for those of you who “don’t want help.” Something most people don’t know about people who have ADHD – we hate being told what to do. For those of us who have anxiety, depression or other co-occurring conditions for ADHD, telling us what to do is useless – because we would if we could. How many times have you been told, “Just stop being so anxious”, or “you’re just in a funk, just tell your brain to stop it.” We would if we could. Why would anyone choose to stay in anxiety or depression, or in a state of malaise – completely lacking interest in doing “the thing.” If you are in this space, I get it – people with ADHD get it. Choosing to be evaluated is the first step in regaining the control you so desperately want in your life. Again, you can have complete control over your situation, but you must have all the necessary information to have that complete control.

Understanding Your Path

Without a proper diagnosis, you’re a sitting duck. Everyone in your life can throw whatever they want at you, whether it’s “you’re just lazy” or “you’re just undependable,” etc. You’re allowing these people who don’t truly know you to dictate your reality – again, getting a proper diagnosis gives you the chance to say “no, I’m not lazy, my brain has less dopamine than yours, and so it’s more difficult to do things that I find uninteresting,” or  “I’m not undependable, I struggle to conceptualize time the way you do, and so I have to work at being on time in different ways.” Saying you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD is an explanation, not an excuse.  Diagnosis gives you a chance to change the narrative of your life – whether or not anyone else sees it, you can now see it as an explanation, and not an excuse.

Changing Your Story

If you suspect you have ADHD, for your own sake, please see a professional diagnostician. This can look like a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, or even a pediatrician (as they are more specifically trained to identify ADHD). This is how you change your narrative.

One MAJOR caveat: though things may be changing in this field, I DO NOT RECOMMEND seeing your regular doctor. In medical school, ADHD is usually covered as a part of broader courses in psychiatry, psychology, and pediatrics. In this case, medical students might spend a few hours to a couple of days specifically on ADHD, learning about its symptoms, diagnosis, and basic treatment options. During clinical rotations, particularly in pediatrics, psychiatry, and family medicine, medical students might encounter patients with ADHD, but won’t receive any further formal training.

That’s why I believe seeing a specialist is so important. “A few hours to a couple of days” isn’t remotely enough to scratch the surface of the depths of ADHD. A proper diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve your quality of life, and you get to choose the manner in which that treatment occurs, but only with a proper diagnosis.

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