“Everyone is saying they have ADHD these days”
“We are all a bit ADHD”
“ADHD is just a social media trend”
Have you heard any of these comments?
People used to be reluctant to talk about ADHD because of being negatively labelled. Now people who are experiencing symptoms of ADHD are reluctant to talk about it, for fear of being accused of ‘jumping on the bandwagon’ and following a ‘trend’ on social media.
ADHD can only be diagnosed by the relevant clinical professional. Typically, this is subjective based on the quality of the information provided via rating scales and how the individual presents on the day. The process can take a considerable amount of time, particularly for under 18s, due to the high level of demand.
Obtaining a formal diagnosis is a personal decision. Not everyone wants a formal diagnosis for and are happy to self-diagnose. Either way if you are experiencing what you believe to be ADHD, it is important that you feel validated, listened to and affirmed.
But what kinds of characteristics might you have been experiencing?
Many clinicians refer to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, currently in its fifth version (DSM -V) when they assess for ADHD. In order to ‘qualify’ for a diagnosis, a child must meet at least six out of nine criteria in either inattentive and hyperactive sides of the condition, or both. For adults, the minimum is five out of nine to allow for individuals ‘growing into/out of’ symptoms.
| Inattention: |
| (1) Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work or during other activities (for example, overlooks or misses details, work is inaccurate). (2) Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities (for example, has difficulty remaining focused during lectures, conversations or reading lengthy writings). (3) Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (mind seems elsewhere, even in the absence of any obvious distraction). (4) Frequently does not follow through on instructions (starts tasks but quickly loses focus and is easily side-tracked, fails to finish schoolwork, household chores or tasks in the workplace). (5) Often has difficulty organising tasks and activities. (Has difficulty managing sequential tasks and keeping materials and belongings in order. Work is messy and disorganized. Has poor time management and tends to fail to meet deadlines). (6) Characteristically avoids, seems to dislike, and is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework or, for older adolescents and adults, preparing reports, completing forms or reviewing lengthy papers). (7) Frequently loses objects necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., school assignments, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses or mobile telephones). (8) Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli (for older adolescents and adults, may include unrelated thoughts). (9) Is often forgetful in daily activities, chores and running errands (for older adolescents and adults, returning calls, paying bills and keeping appointments). |
| Hyperactivity and Impulsivity: |
| (1) Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, at work or during other activities (for example, overlooks or misses details, work is inaccurate). (2) Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities (for example, has difficulty remaining focused during lectures, conversations or reading lengthy writings). (3) Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (mind seems elsewhere, even in the absence of any obvious distraction). (4) Frequently does not follow through on instructions (starts tasks but quickly loses focus and is easily side-tracked, fails to finish schoolwork, household chores or tasks in the workplace). (5) Often has difficulty organising tasks and activities. (Has difficulty managing sequential tasks and keeping materials and belongings in order. Work is messy and disorganized. Has poor time management and tends to fail to meet deadlines). (6) Characteristically avoids, seems to dislike, and is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework or, for older adolescents and adults, preparing reports, completing forms or reviewing lengthy papers). (7) Frequently loses objects necessary for tasks or activities (e.g., school assignments, pencils, books, tools, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses or mobile telephones). (8) Is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli (for older adolescents and adults, may include unrelated thoughts). (9) Is often forgetful in daily activities, chores and running errands (for older adolescents and adults, returning calls, paying bills and keeping appointments). |
If you are considering having a formal diagnostic assessment for ADHD then ensure that you are prepared.
Speak to family members, if possible, for information about your childhood.
Be specific with the clinician and say “I am here to discuss ADHD” rather than “I think I have ADHD”.
Come up with specific examples that relate to the above characteristics.
Download ADHD assessment in advance of assessment. You can access one here:
https://add.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/adhd-questionnaire-ASRS111.pdf
If you are not pursuing a formal diagnosis but just want to feel a bit more validated and affirmed, here are some anecdotal characteristics that people with ADHD might also experience:
- Bumping into everything causing bruises and being clumsy.
- Constantly losing things and finding them in ‘obvious’ places.
- Calling someone with excitement but then avoiding or forgetting to reply to them.
- Running late or being super early because of anxiety.
- Saving countless posts and memes on social media with the intention to watching them again but never doing so.
- Listening to a song or watching a programme over and over again.
- Predicting the plots to movies.
- Drinking coffee sends you to sleep instead of stimulating you.
- Finding it hard to get out of bed or up off the sofa to do anything.
- Starting a project but finding it hard to complete it.
- Piles of clothes left on the ‘Floordrobe’.
- Feeling unable to relax or go out when waiting for an afternoon appointment.
- Being obsessed with a project for long periods and then suddenly abandoning it.
- Interrupting slow talkers.
- Feeling frustrated when walking behind a slow walker.
- Forgetting to reply to text messages.
- Overthinking.
- Negative self-talk.
- Fidgeting or stimming.
Of course, none of the above are clinically prescriptive but are relatable in a lot of people with ADHD. It can help to talk with others and share our experiences to feel less alone and to feel more understood and seen.