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I think I have ADHD

*If you are going to reply, please read the whole thing it is quite important you know the full context*

Basically, I've done a lot of research into symptoms and behaviours and think I have ADHD. Since the beginning of primary school, I was unable to focus on a task for very long without being distracted easily and therefore distracting others. This was a common theme throughout my time at primary school, and was reported to my parents on multiple occassions, especially at parent's evenings. I was generally disruptive and awful with homework, which followed me into the beginning of secondary school. In year 7, I had the exact same experiences in class, but worse because I hadn't really experienced the concept of homework until then. I even got put on academic monitoring because I failed to hand homework in more often than not.

Having spoken to a friend with ADHD, I seriously think I might have it. I've done online tests and quizzes which aren't official, but I get the same answers back every time, saying that I should probably get checked. I have considered talking to my school about it, because even as an A-level student now, my behaviours haven't changed much (low-level disruption, easily distracted, socially awkward, no filter, impulsive, failing to hand homework in on time/forgetfulness).

I'm surprised that even in primary school, it was't picked up, but then again, if it was, I'm not surprised if my parents didn't follow it up. They are the kind of parents who don't want me to be labelled and even though my mother is a primary school teacher, she might just think I'm trying to self-label or find an excuse for my behaviour. Also, if I do get tested and don't have it, it would be really embarrassing to have wasted everyone's time and it might seem like I was just attention seeking, but I do really think I might have it, even my friends have seriously said so.

How do you get tested for it/know if you have it? I am due a session with my school counsellor soon anyway and might bring it up with her and see what she thinks, and she might bring it up with Learning Support.

Any advice would be helpful, thanks :smile:

D

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Go to your GP. Please don't self diagnose.
Self-diagnosis over the internet and unofficial quizzes aren't a very accurate way of determining a health issue, if it's something you think you have then go and talk to a GP.

Talking to a school counsellor may be a good idea if you feel like you need support for it.
Reply 3
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Anonymous #1
OP
Original post by ProbablyPallas
Go to your GP. Please don't self diagnose.

I don't want to go with my parents because it might be really weird.
Original post by MidgetFever
Self-diagnosis over the internet and unofficial quizzes aren't a very accurate way of determining a health issue, if it's something you think you have then go and talk to a GP.

Talking to a school counsellor may be a good idea if you feel like you need support for it.

I've looked on the NHS website, and can categorically say I've displayed all the symptoms from about age 4.
Original post by Anonymous
I've looked on the NHS website, and can categorically say I've displayed all the symptoms from about age 4.


Don't self diagnose. If you're doing A Levels, you're over 16 and you can go to the GP on your own with confidentiality.
Original post by Anonymous
I don't want to go with my parents because it might be really weird.

I've looked on the NHS website, and can categorically say I've displayed all the symptoms from about age 4.

Go alone - you are over 16 so don't need to go with a parent.

Please get a proper diagnosis because you may be entitled to support e.g. additional time, sitting exams in a smaller room, etc
Reply 6
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Anonymous #1
OP
Original post by ProbablyPallas
Don't self diagnose. If you're doing A Levels, you're over 16 and you can go to the GP on your own with confidentiality.

Oh I didn't know that :smile: Thanks. I'll see if can book an appointment
Original post by Muttley79
Go alone - you are over 16 so don't need to go with a parent.

Please get a proper diagnosis because you may be entitled to support e.g. additional time, sitting exams in a smaller room, etc

That's something I was thinking, but I've been sitting on this for a while and did my GCSEs last summer and Idek if it's worth it. Idk
Original post by Anonymous
That's something I was thinking, but I've been sitting on this for a while and did my GCSEs last summer and Idek if it's worth it. Idk


If you're causing low level disruption to other students, it's worth it. Let us know the outcome and best of luck with it.
Original post by Anonymous
I've looked on the NHS website, and can categorically say I've displayed all the symptoms from about age 4.

Which is a starting point - Go and talk to a GP about these symptoms and get an official diagnosis, they'll be able to properly provide support for you.

Medical proof is often required if you need extra support in schools and university too (especially university), so it's probably best to if you think it's going to cause you issues.
Reply 9
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Anonymous #1
OP
Original post by ProbablyPallas
If you're causing low level disruption to other students, it's worth it. Let us know the outcome and best of luck with it.

I guess so. But like, if I don't have it, that just makes me an annoying person with bad habits and I'd also feel really bad for annoying people without meaning to for no good reason. Like I do things that I just can't help and it annoys people like talking all the time etc.
Original post by MidgetFever
Which is a starting point - Go and talk to a GP about these symptoms and get an official diagnosis, they'll be able to properly provide support for you.

Medical proof is often required if you need extra support in schools and university too (especially university), so it's probably best to if you think it's going to cause you issues.

Thanks :smile:
Go see a doctor and stop seeking answers on the internet for delicate health issues. Sure, you can seek indications, but the only actual reliable answer is provided by a professional.
Original post by OliviaM32
Go see a doctor and stop seeking answers on the internet for delicate health issues. Sure, you can seek indications, but the only actual reliable answer is provided by a professional.

I guess I knew that, just wasn't sure how to go about it
Original post by Anonymous
Thanks :smile:


If it comes out you don't have ADHD or ADD, you just need to work on fixing your behaviour then for the sakw of yourself and your peers.
I am the parent of someone with adhd and Aspergers
The actual diagnosis is a complicated procedure that can take some time. You should go to your gp and discuss it and ask for a referral to a specialist. There are quite a few stages to go through, including with psychologists. You should take an Internet diagnosis with a pinch of salt.
I appreciate you don’t want to discuss it with your parents but their input can be very helpful to the process, likewise that of school. They are asked to do some form filling to help diagnose.
Your own observations are not necessarily enough.
If your behaviour had been of concern to schools over the years then if they suspected an issue it’s most likely they would have started the process themselves
This is why you can’t self diagnose. You may be looking for symptoms to fit the diagnosis. It could be adhd, it could be something else or it could just be your personality.
You need to speak to a professional so make yourself an appointment
Hope this link works... here is my favourite ADHD lady on you tube. She explains it quite well. My favourite one is where she thanks her mum for medicating her. https://youtu.be/jhcn1_qsYmgSchools won’t always pick up on it. They may only recognise the most disruptive cases. Girls with ADHD can be quiet and studious at school and easily avoid the radars. Do this for yourself and don’t worry about wasting people’s time.
Original post by ProbablyPallas
If it comes out you don't have ADHD or ADD, you just need to work on fixing your behaviour then for the sakw of yourself and your peers.


Ngl, I'd hate myself. I already have issues because it's just the way I am and changing myself for others has caused me problems in the past and has never worked for me. Also, everyone will just hate me cos they think I'm annoying and all that
Original post by Anonymous
Ngl, I'd hate myself. I already have issues because it's just the way I am and changing myself for others has caused me problems in the past and has never worked for me. Also, everyone will just hate me cos they think I'm annoying and all that


There's changing yourself and there's being respectful to other people's education's. A Levels don't have leniency for low level disruption and people that don't want to do their homework.
Original post by Anonymous
Ngl, I'd hate myself. I already have issues because it's just the way I am and changing myself for others has caused me problems in the past and has never worked for me. Also, everyone will just hate me cos they think I'm annoying and all that


This is what I mean by fitting yourself into the diagnosis
everyone, even those with adhd, has to conform to certain acceptable behaviour. Having adhd does not excuse poor behaviour.
constantly working to improve those bad behaviours is one of the challenges of having adhd.
you need to speak to a professional
Original post by ProbablyPallas
There's changing yourself and there's being respectful to other people's education's. A Levels don't have leniency for low level disruption and people that don't want to do their homework.


Yeah but if im not doing it on purpose and i dont know why it happens then what? normal people dont have these issues, normal people dont constantly fidget and talk, normal people dont have trouble sitting or standing still, forgetting important things all the time. so clearly im not normal
hmm. well. again im saying that it's not on purpose but all i get is blamed for it which is why i dont want my parents involved. i shoulnd have posted this here i just feel more **** about myself :frown:

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