Reason why you shouldn't self-diagnose if you think you might be an adult with ADHD
Around 2.6 million people across the UK have a neurodevelopmental disorder called 'attention deficit hyperactivity disorder', or ADHD as it's more commonly known.
There are some stereotypes which claim that ADHD is easy to recognise, but it's better to err on the side of caution and get checked by a professional if you think you might have it.
Spotting the signs isn't always easy and as a result, the NHS has released a list of possible symptoms for ADHD, as studies suggest that fewer than 20 percent of adults who have it actually realise that they do.
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Since it's a developmental disorder, it's thought that ADHD must first come through in childhood and continue from there, but there are times when it's not picked up on at a young age leading to undiagnosed adults.
However, before you do your reading and start to worry that you might have ADHD, there is an important reason as to why you shouldn't self-diagnose.
While some folks on TikTok will tell you the signs to look out for and might encourage you to self-diagnose, they're best ignored in favour of a diagnosis from an actual medical professional.
Experts have warned that many symptoms of ADHD overlap with other mental health conditions, so trying to self-diagnose could lead you to make a mistake and miss signs you didn't even know to look out for.
Getting an actual diagnosis for ADHD will require you to see a specialist and have an assessment which could last up to 90 minutes.
Knowing the possible symptoms is handy to warn you that you might need to go in for an assessment, but just being able to spot the signs doesn't mean you're going to be bang-on about what they're pointing towards.
By themselves, the symptoms don't guarantee that you have ADHD, which is what the assessment is supposed to figure out.
According to the NHS, symptoms to be on the lookout for when it comes to ADHD are as follows:
- Carelessness and a lack of attention to detail
- Restlessness and edginess
- Mood swings and irritability
- Inability to focus or prioritise
- Difficulty in conversation
- Poor organisational skills
- Continually losing or misplacing things
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty keeping quiet
- Extreme impatience
- Taking risks in activities such as dangerous driving
If you think you recognise these symptoms in yourself, then it's important not to diagnose yourself and instead you should speak to your GP, who may be able to refer you to a specialist.
You can expect to be asked about your symptoms, when they started, where they occur most, the impact it's had on your life and whether you have a family history of ADHD or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Topics: Health, Mental Health, ADHD
Joe Harker