TikTok Told Me I Have ADHD?

If your For You Page is anything like mine, you might have mistakenly self-diagnosed yourself with ADHD. There have been way too many videos called “Things I Didn’t Know Were ADHD Related” or “Things I Thought Were Normal Growing Up But Were Really Signs Of Undiagnosed ADHD” in my feed. According to them, all the little things I do, such as the way I listen to music or my hobbies are clear indicators. It definitely got me wondering if I really do have ADHD, so I choose to do some research. I found that October has been dedicated to raising awareness on ADHD, and was inspired to share what I have learned about ADHD.

ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder and is found in those who may have trouble focusing or controlling impulsive behaviours. It is definitely normal to be distracted, however for those with ADHD, it is on a broader scale. Adults with ADHD experience forgetness, poor time management, fatigue, negative self-image and lack of motivation. I know we have all been a little off schedule or not always super driven at some point, so don’t rush to conclusions just yet. It is important to mention that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which is found when the combination of genetics and environmental factors lead to changes in brain development. This proves that everyone with ADHD has had it since childhood, and it is not something you cannot develop during adulthood. So, if you only recently felt sudden changes in your behaviour that seemed to be related to ADHD, I would suggest making some lifestyle changes instead of seeking treatment for ADHD.

For those who still think that they may have ADHD, you might want to reflect back on your behaviour as a child. Did you daydream a lot, make a lot of careless mistakes or impulsive decisions or struggled taking turns? To be more specific, healthcare providers refer to the DSM-5 to help diagnose their patients. The DSM-5’s criteria for ADHD states that patients will show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with their development. Some symptoms that would reflect inattentiveness would be not listening when being directly spoken to, avoiding tasks that would require a lot of mental effort for a long period of time and being unable to follow instructions. Other symptoms that would reflect impulsiveness would be leaving when expected to be seated, talking excessively, intruding and interrupting others.

If you feel like your behaviour aligns with those symptoms, please know that there are tons of ways to help. For children under six years old, behaviour therapy is recommended and for those who are older, it is recommended to combine mediation with behaviour therapy. Adults can either take stimulant or non-stimulant medications, but typically stimulants work quicker than others. These prescriptions improve ADHD symptoms in about 70% of adults. Some examples are Adderall®, Ritalin® or Dexedrine®.

Please consult your physician for a proper diagnosis if you are genuinely concerned. If you are hesitant to get diagnosed, please know that you are never alone. Individuals across the globe have been diagnosed, as it is a common neurodevelopmental disorder. Some of our greatest athletes, actors, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs and more have been diagnosed with ADHD. A medical diagnosis does not reflect your capabilities. You are capable of great things, and can still accomplish them when diagnosed.