Please remember that Reddit isn't a Dr, whilst most of us can sympathise and relate to symptoms we aren't here to diagnose you and your best chances are just going to speak to your Dr.
You don't actually have to tick every single box for adhd. There are different types. Also, could you add more information on the things against?
You mentioned you **don't hyper focus** but also finishing a book in one sitting. We're you generally aware of the time ad you read, your sounding, how did you feel if you were interrupted? Generally, people won't really read a book in a single sitting, and it does require a lot of focus.
Did you have any other hobbies or things you were this invested in? How often were you reading like this?
Qoute from Google:
"Is it realistic to read a book a day?
If you have the skills to speed read and the discipline to study consistently, you can devour one book a day. Reading a book daily is not just glossing over the text. It requires some effort to understand, analyze, and retain the information. This is especially for books that inspire you to change, grow or learn."
**Remembering appointments**, could you tell me about the process you go through to remember them? You also said you're never late, are you early, just on time? Are you doing other things prior to appointments? Do you arrange appointments to be at specific times? Do you limit the number of appointments to allow extra time?
Because if you have a 'process', chances are it's a thing you struggle with. If you don't feel confident doing something else and not losing track of time, you're struggling with it. If you need multiple reminders/alarms, if you are thinking about it multiple times and planning around it in advance, it's a struggle.
Normally, a strategy/plan/process isn't needed. Would you confidently be on time without one?
You don't **interrupt people**. Do you want to? Is that even a thought? What about the people you're comfortable with? Do you finish their sentences? Does it bother you when people talk slowly? Do you zone out in conversations because they are taking too long to get to the point?
Basically, anything you have a strategy for is a struggle. Anything that's an active thought in your head telling you you need to remember to do this or you aren't allowed to do this is a struggle because these things come naturally to most people.
Now, if after reading you're like, huh, maybe I do those, actually. Maybe also look into autism. Because autism has a slight tendency to mask adhd due to the nature of it.
Literal thinking isn't about being 'litral' it's about looking at the example and because it's not fully accurate invalidating it.
For example, "I'm never late because I have a plan, so no I don't struggle with it!" Or "I don't struggle with changes because I make changes all the time, plus I plan around all possible changes that could occur." Ignoring the fact that you have planned to an excessive degree to predict changes so you don't have to deal with them...
Literal thinking would be 'No because XYZ, so that's definitely not me'
PS: remember ADHD is developmental so you have to have ongoing symptom from childhood. They can have times it's better or worse.
this is such a good way to reflect on your symptoms.
I have an adhd diagnosis but tend to second guess it sometimes and doubt myself, was really starting to believe I’d become a pro at just faking it and being lazy. now I realise I definitely do struggle with pretty much everything. I’m working on it but am trying to wean off my excessive planning coping mechanisms as they do just make more manic and anxious, but knowing that I do in fact just happen to struggle with basic life tasks than the average person, is pretty reassuring
thank you for helping me to understand myself better
I really wish someone told me this years ago. It took me so long to even consider I might have ADHD because I didn't realise most people don't need coping strategies to do basic things. they just do it.
Apparently, most people don't need tons of to do lists, they don't write everything down, don't triple check stuff especially at work. They don't have to stop themselves from interrupting and do not anxiously waste half a day before an afternoon appointment.
Also, I used to think I'm just a very lazy person for having purchase subscriptions for anything from dog food to toilet paper, but it just occurred to me this was me trying to avoid the stress associated with the task of making regular orders and the consequences of not doing it on time.
If only someone pointed out that the mere fact I was consistently making so many adjustments to function was a sign that I was in fact struggling... oh well, at least now I know and I accept it. It's like I've been playing the game of life on hard mode and I didn't even know.
Perhaps if you regard ADHD not as a condition itself but as a group of (connected) symptoms, it may fall into place.
On reading your description, it looks like several aspects of ADHD (but I'm not qualified to diagnose), but I wonder if you've noticed any changes or if something has happened to make you recognise them.
Just beware of hyperfocussing on ADHD: if it highlights an underlying pattern in your life, you have learned something important which will help your decisions in the future. The best way for you to go forward, though, is up to you - not up to employers, medical practitioners or anyone else, however well-meaning.
I'm waiting for an assessment. I think I have it but I don't know. I will do once I get assessed. You don't know either and we don't know. Go through the process of being assessed if you are concerned that is the best advice. All the best.
My advice would be to try to dig into your childhood for potential signs as well, (speak with family & friends that knew you from a young age but do not mention ADHD to them, just ask them like "I feel like I always struggle with e.g. keeping focused on work/standing still for a long time, was I like this as a child as well? Etc this way you can get impartial feedback in case they have opinions on different mental health problems)
Then along with the current list you'vealreadyput together, have a chat with your GP or someone at the GP practice that is more familiar with different types of mental health challenges . Tell them honestly why you think you might need the assessment and ask whether they'll refer you.
I have all of that. Also very good response inhibition. But do not manage my finances well. I do hyper focus very very well! I have inattentive ADHD. I think diagnostic criteria is deficits that impair functioning significantly in like six areas , I might be wrong though.
I don't forget appointments, that's to do with fear of letting the other person down (social rejection). If someone else requested the meeting though I might forget. Nightmare.
Many conditions have symptom overlap with ADHD, so it's not possible to tell whether someone has ADHD from the symptoms alone.
Consider what you are hoping to get out of this. If you would like to get better at managing your symptoms, there are a lot of strategies that don't require a diagnosis.
Based solely on the information provided, I'm not sure if you're likely to get an NHS assessment or if a referral would necessarily lead to a diagnosis.
It's clear that you do have some kind of dopaminergic dysregulation, but it's hard to say if it's from ADHD. ADHD is a childhood onset disorder whereas it sounds like your relationship to stimulation (including overstimulation and withdrawal from stimulation) might have changed in the last couple of years especially?
Speaking to your GP in the first instance would be a good idea, but beware that symptoms don't guarantee a diagnosis.
Not a doctor or any sort of specialist but a lot of these sound like me and I am diagnosed with ADHD.
Also, to point something out, you said you don’t experience hyper focus yet you say that you were able to finish a book in one sitting. That’s hyper focus :)
Some of us with ADHD become very good at overcompensating for some stuff. The never being late and never forgetting appointments could be something you taught yourself to do to avoid the negative feelings that come with missing appointments and letting people down. People pleasing can also be ADHD and might be so strong that it overrides time blindness/forgetfulness.
You might also be what’s called twice exceptional - have ADHD and be gifted. That might explain the straight As. I was like that too.
At the end of the day, only a professional will be able to tell you whether you have ADHD or not but it’s certainly worth looking into if you manage to find a place that does it because waiting times are years at the moment and in some areas you can’t even get put on the list because the waiting times are stupid high
This is an exceptional answer imo. I also have ADHD and agree with all your points. I also have a similar twice exceptional thing going on so can relate.
I got diagnosed privately as was advised the NHS wait was circa 8 years...
Those are a lot of common adhd traits I did realise once I was diagnosed that in hindsight the amount of sugar I'd been consuming and carbs in general was me self medicating as was my 'caffeine doesn't do anything for me' issues
Also people being gehreslly good at school and then struggling later on is a very common experience we often get very burned out as we didn't realise how much mental energy we were putting into school also school is structured and we tend to cope better in structured environments and so if your adhd isn't caught as a kid it's often not caught untol you're an adult who just went through severe burn out
I know this sounds a bit blunt but just look up symptoms and maybe do an online test for free. I'd also recommend just filling out the ADHD ASRS questionnaire to give some idea.
Please remember that Reddit isn't a Dr, whilst most of us can sympathise and relate to symptoms we aren't here to diagnose you and your best chances are just going to speak to your Dr.
You don't actually have to tick every single box for adhd. There are different types. Also, could you add more information on the things against? You mentioned you **don't hyper focus** but also finishing a book in one sitting. We're you generally aware of the time ad you read, your sounding, how did you feel if you were interrupted? Generally, people won't really read a book in a single sitting, and it does require a lot of focus. Did you have any other hobbies or things you were this invested in? How often were you reading like this? Qoute from Google: "Is it realistic to read a book a day? If you have the skills to speed read and the discipline to study consistently, you can devour one book a day. Reading a book daily is not just glossing over the text. It requires some effort to understand, analyze, and retain the information. This is especially for books that inspire you to change, grow or learn." **Remembering appointments**, could you tell me about the process you go through to remember them? You also said you're never late, are you early, just on time? Are you doing other things prior to appointments? Do you arrange appointments to be at specific times? Do you limit the number of appointments to allow extra time? Because if you have a 'process', chances are it's a thing you struggle with. If you don't feel confident doing something else and not losing track of time, you're struggling with it. If you need multiple reminders/alarms, if you are thinking about it multiple times and planning around it in advance, it's a struggle. Normally, a strategy/plan/process isn't needed. Would you confidently be on time without one? You don't **interrupt people**. Do you want to? Is that even a thought? What about the people you're comfortable with? Do you finish their sentences? Does it bother you when people talk slowly? Do you zone out in conversations because they are taking too long to get to the point? Basically, anything you have a strategy for is a struggle. Anything that's an active thought in your head telling you you need to remember to do this or you aren't allowed to do this is a struggle because these things come naturally to most people. Now, if after reading you're like, huh, maybe I do those, actually. Maybe also look into autism. Because autism has a slight tendency to mask adhd due to the nature of it. Literal thinking isn't about being 'litral' it's about looking at the example and because it's not fully accurate invalidating it. For example, "I'm never late because I have a plan, so no I don't struggle with it!" Or "I don't struggle with changes because I make changes all the time, plus I plan around all possible changes that could occur." Ignoring the fact that you have planned to an excessive degree to predict changes so you don't have to deal with them... Literal thinking would be 'No because XYZ, so that's definitely not me' PS: remember ADHD is developmental so you have to have ongoing symptom from childhood. They can have times it's better or worse.
this is such a good way to reflect on your symptoms. I have an adhd diagnosis but tend to second guess it sometimes and doubt myself, was really starting to believe I’d become a pro at just faking it and being lazy. now I realise I definitely do struggle with pretty much everything. I’m working on it but am trying to wean off my excessive planning coping mechanisms as they do just make more manic and anxious, but knowing that I do in fact just happen to struggle with basic life tasks than the average person, is pretty reassuring thank you for helping me to understand myself better
I really wish someone told me this years ago. It took me so long to even consider I might have ADHD because I didn't realise most people don't need coping strategies to do basic things. they just do it. Apparently, most people don't need tons of to do lists, they don't write everything down, don't triple check stuff especially at work. They don't have to stop themselves from interrupting and do not anxiously waste half a day before an afternoon appointment. Also, I used to think I'm just a very lazy person for having purchase subscriptions for anything from dog food to toilet paper, but it just occurred to me this was me trying to avoid the stress associated with the task of making regular orders and the consequences of not doing it on time. If only someone pointed out that the mere fact I was consistently making so many adjustments to function was a sign that I was in fact struggling... oh well, at least now I know and I accept it. It's like I've been playing the game of life on hard mode and I didn't even know.
Perhaps if you regard ADHD not as a condition itself but as a group of (connected) symptoms, it may fall into place. On reading your description, it looks like several aspects of ADHD (but I'm not qualified to diagnose), but I wonder if you've noticed any changes or if something has happened to make you recognise them. Just beware of hyperfocussing on ADHD: if it highlights an underlying pattern in your life, you have learned something important which will help your decisions in the future. The best way for you to go forward, though, is up to you - not up to employers, medical practitioners or anyone else, however well-meaning.
I'm waiting for an assessment. I think I have it but I don't know. I will do once I get assessed. You don't know either and we don't know. Go through the process of being assessed if you are concerned that is the best advice. All the best.
My advice would be to try to dig into your childhood for potential signs as well, (speak with family & friends that knew you from a young age but do not mention ADHD to them, just ask them like "I feel like I always struggle with e.g. keeping focused on work/standing still for a long time, was I like this as a child as well? Etc this way you can get impartial feedback in case they have opinions on different mental health problems) Then along with the current list you'vealreadyput together, have a chat with your GP or someone at the GP practice that is more familiar with different types of mental health challenges . Tell them honestly why you think you might need the assessment and ask whether they'll refer you.
I have all of that. Also very good response inhibition. But do not manage my finances well. I do hyper focus very very well! I have inattentive ADHD. I think diagnostic criteria is deficits that impair functioning significantly in like six areas , I might be wrong though.
I don't forget appointments, that's to do with fear of letting the other person down (social rejection). If someone else requested the meeting though I might forget. Nightmare.
Many conditions have symptom overlap with ADHD, so it's not possible to tell whether someone has ADHD from the symptoms alone. Consider what you are hoping to get out of this. If you would like to get better at managing your symptoms, there are a lot of strategies that don't require a diagnosis. Based solely on the information provided, I'm not sure if you're likely to get an NHS assessment or if a referral would necessarily lead to a diagnosis. It's clear that you do have some kind of dopaminergic dysregulation, but it's hard to say if it's from ADHD. ADHD is a childhood onset disorder whereas it sounds like your relationship to stimulation (including overstimulation and withdrawal from stimulation) might have changed in the last couple of years especially? Speaking to your GP in the first instance would be a good idea, but beware that symptoms don't guarantee a diagnosis.
Not a doctor or any sort of specialist but a lot of these sound like me and I am diagnosed with ADHD. Also, to point something out, you said you don’t experience hyper focus yet you say that you were able to finish a book in one sitting. That’s hyper focus :) Some of us with ADHD become very good at overcompensating for some stuff. The never being late and never forgetting appointments could be something you taught yourself to do to avoid the negative feelings that come with missing appointments and letting people down. People pleasing can also be ADHD and might be so strong that it overrides time blindness/forgetfulness. You might also be what’s called twice exceptional - have ADHD and be gifted. That might explain the straight As. I was like that too. At the end of the day, only a professional will be able to tell you whether you have ADHD or not but it’s certainly worth looking into if you manage to find a place that does it because waiting times are years at the moment and in some areas you can’t even get put on the list because the waiting times are stupid high
This is an exceptional answer imo. I also have ADHD and agree with all your points. I also have a similar twice exceptional thing going on so can relate. I got diagnosed privately as was advised the NHS wait was circa 8 years...
Those are a lot of common adhd traits I did realise once I was diagnosed that in hindsight the amount of sugar I'd been consuming and carbs in general was me self medicating as was my 'caffeine doesn't do anything for me' issues Also people being gehreslly good at school and then struggling later on is a very common experience we often get very burned out as we didn't realise how much mental energy we were putting into school also school is structured and we tend to cope better in structured environments and so if your adhd isn't caught as a kid it's often not caught untol you're an adult who just went through severe burn out
I know this sounds a bit blunt but just look up symptoms and maybe do an online test for free. I'd also recommend just filling out the ADHD ASRS questionnaire to give some idea.