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Comment by void_mint | Hacker News Reader

> with undiagnosed ADHD

If you're undiagnosed, how do you know?

After years of struggle and failed attempts at fixing the problem, you evaluate evidence and notice it fits the "I have ADHD" hypothesis more than it fits the alternate explanations.

Happens more often with the Inattentive subtype of ADHD than with Hyperactive, because the former is much harder to spot, especially in adults, plus everyone around you is eager to offer you value judgements as diagnoses (suggesting you're lazy, undisciplined, don't have an actual problem), and/or prescribe you the common "go away" nonsolutions like better diet and exercise (I call them "go away" because it's just sending someone on a wild goose chase in order to have them stop bothering you).

ADHD is severely underdiagnosed in adults, and getting from undiagnosed to diagnosed stage is often just a matter of going to a psychiatrist - after first overcoming stigma, stereotype, and ADHD-induced problems. Easy peasy. Not.

I often feel like that a lot of people just decide they must have ADHD simply because they struggle with wotk they don't want to do and aren't interested in or procrastinate. That's perfectly normal human behavior though...

Yep. Similar to OCD, ADHD has just become a scapegoat for some people experiencing normal increased energy or trouble focusing. It's just sad because of the people that feel so confident they're experiencing something but never get actual treatment/help/diagnosis and then change their life around it. This post is a great example - "I read a book and decided I had ADHD and now let it dominate my life".

I read the book Driven to Distraction and it changed my life.

So...you don't know, right?

ADHD, like a broken arm, can be obvious.

Sure, and much like any condition of the brain, can be lots of things and openly mischaracterized by people unqualified to make judgements on such things.

If you have ADHD, what's the value of getting it diagnosed? How much wasted time would be needed to get it diagnosed? And how much wasted time would be needed until a doctor hits on the right prescription for you?

> If you have ADHD, what's the value of getting it diagnosed?

All the forms of care that require a legitimate diagnosis?

> How much wasted time would be needed to get it diagnosed?

An hour (not "wasted", used for legitimate diagnosis and assessment)

> And how much wasted time would be needed until a doctor hits on the right prescription for you?

Is your alternative just not getting meds? How is that better than trying?

For mild cases, very little time is wasted getting a diagnosis, low to moderate dosages of stimulants work brilliantly and with very few side-effects, and CBT bears its fruits within a few weeks.

The quality-of-life improvement is substantial.

Neither do you.

Sure don't, which is why I would defer to someone capable of making such diagnosis!

Ok bud. Whatever you say.

You don't think it's kinda shitty to people that actually have a disorder, to just assume you have it because you read a book? You don't think it's possible that reading that book could be beneficial for those that don't have ADHD as well?

Thanks, bud.

No, i really don't. I suffer with it too, still do, it still impacts my life every day. If you haven't read it, check out that book.

Well...without getting into any sort of "you don't actually know what you're struggling with", it's probably best to just say sorry you're struggling. Hopefully you seek actual help. Best of luck.

Thank you! Best of luck to you too!

For how this thread started and progressed, I'm pleasantly surprised at how it ended. Instead of getting into flame wars, I wish people would take this route more often. "I don't think we'll be able to work this out in this medium. Nothing personal and no hard feelings. Have a nice day." Kudos to you both.

You don't change people's minds on the internet, no matter how misguided they might be. Just gotta let em figure it out for themselves mostly.

It's taken me a lot of work to figure it out for myself (with some excellent professional assistance).

I still feel like just expressing my viewpoint could help someone else change, I just don't expect it most of the time.

We are stubborn brains.

I try to provide some amount of reason, mostly just so if someone on the fence reads they can at least see some amount of argument against a bad idea, but the originator of the bad idea is only going to double down on their take.

That is very reasonable for debate.

But deciding to armchair-quarterback what somebody knows about their own mental health is frankly not a debate just an attack and a pretty silly one at that.

But you don't _know_. You're undiagnosed. You _think_. You read a book that resonated with you and decided you had ADHD without seeking a legitimate diagnosis. That's not _knowing_.

Continuing to spread the idea that any unqualified person can just decide they have a mental health disorder without seeking help from _legitimate professionals_ in that space is negligent. I'm attacking the negligent spread of harmful information about mental health, as _obviously_ people that are struggling with mental health conditions _should seek qualified help_.

I'm glad the book you read helped you find some amount of clarity or made you feel better. That's great!

No, I _know_. It is, after all, my mind.

Possibly, for yours, you need a doctor to rattle off 10 questions and write down your answers.

But me, for mine, I am content to read the 10 questions written by the doctors for me to interpret myself.

The fact that you don't realize you are being offensive is just so... chef's kiss.

Please continue your crusade against negligence elsewhere. You've added absolutely nothing here.

> No, I _know_. It is, after all, my mind.

The arrogance of this statement is astounding.

> The fact that you don't realize you are being offensive is just so... chef's kiss.

I'm certain that you're offended by my statements, but only because of your aforementioned arrogance. Telling unqualified individuals to seek help from qualified individuals about matters regarding mental health isn't offensive. I'm sorry that I don't have the faith in random unqualified individuals that you do.

> Please continue your crusade against negligence elsewhere. You've added absolutely nothing here.

I ended our conversation previously and you chose to revive this discussion. You're welcome to see yourself out whenever you're ready.

I’m not offended, but you are being offensive. Your whole approach here is toxic. I’m here attached to my actual identity talking about real mental health issues, and you hide behind a pseudonym without a trace of identity and question another’s own experience based on nothing but your opinion.

Why needlessly call-out, contradict and argue? This, my comment here, was a share out, it took some courage to post it, none of it was about or impacted you. You took it upon yourself to be the critic. So to that I say, buzz off. You’re unwanted.

> created: 82 days ago

Yup. This checks out.

"My account is older than yours so you have to put up with whatever mindless nonsense I post"

No thanks. Enjoy your older account. I can't possibly care any less about your actual identity and any perceived significance you think sharing a username across websites gives you. It's also not my opinion that totally unqualified individuals cannot take the place of legitimate doctors.

Best of luck. I won't be continuing this thread. I really am glad that book helped you and really do hope that you someday seek legitimate treatment.

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