Gonna have to disagree with this. Not having a diagnosis gives people the false impression that ADHD is a state of being, a minor hindrance like having an “off day.” It makes it seem less distinct and thus taken less seriously. When that happens and someone seeks an accommodation at work or school they are much less likely to be taken seriously — which inhibits their ability to function in society.
Taking any prescription medication for a condition you do not have is fucking stupid and/or dangerous.
TLDR: Self-diagnosing is foolish and misinformation harms people that truly require equitable accommodations.
I have OCD and after the T.V show “Monk”, tons of people thought they had OCD for being very organized, etc. Media DOES greatly impact people’s notions of things and all the TikTok stuff can be very misleading and outright dangerous.
I have to agree with this. I’ve had too many conversations that were like: Me, describes some of my ADHD symptoms. Other person, oh I feel like that sometimes maybe I have ADHD. Me, no not like that.
Truth. The whole “the worst that can happen” phrasing is such juvenile myopism; destigmatizing ADHD is a fantastic goal, but too many people crying wolf just undermines the legitimacy we’re actively working toward.
As a lifelong ADHD mutie (I prefer to flip my perspective on my own aspects, finding the ways they’re a superpower, instead), my challenges predated the diagnosis by nearly my entire childhood, and I didn’t even seek medical help until well into adulthood.
There is nothing novel about living with ADHD, and allowing it to be the next cool kink is borderline offensive to each and every one of us that battles like a muthafugga every single day.
If someone “thinks” they have it, gently suggest they speak to a professional. Normalizing things like this only trivializes the actual experience, and we owe it to each other to honor the struggle we all know too well. I’m all for proper diagnoses, but fuck those that (inadvertently?) see it as some coolness badge to collect.
“Sorry to inform you, sir, but there are shit scads of people ‘self-medicating’.”
Look at any university around exam time. People get desperate and do misinformed/stupid things all the time. Taking unperscribed ADHD meds is not an exception.
Gonna have to disagree with this. Not having a diagnosis gives people the false impression that ADHD is a state of being, a minor hindrance like having an “off day.” It makes it seem less distinct and thus taken less seriously. When that happens and someone seeks an accommodation at work or school they are much less likely to be taken seriously — which inhibits their ability to function in society.
Taking any prescription medication for a condition you do not have is fucking stupid and/or dangerous.
TLDR: Self-diagnosing is foolish and misinformation harms people that truly require equitable accommodations.
I have OCD and after the T.V show “Monk”, tons of people thought they had OCD for being very organized, etc. Media DOES greatly impact people’s notions of things and all the TikTok stuff can be very misleading and outright dangerous.
I have to agree with this. I’ve had too many conversations that were like: Me, describes some of my ADHD symptoms. Other person, oh I feel like that sometimes maybe I have ADHD. Me, no not like that.
Truth. The whole “the worst that can happen” phrasing is such juvenile myopism; destigmatizing ADHD is a fantastic goal, but too many people crying wolf just undermines the legitimacy we’re actively working toward.
As a lifelong ADHD mutie (I prefer to flip my perspective on my own aspects, finding the ways they’re a superpower, instead), my challenges predated the diagnosis by nearly my entire childhood, and I didn’t even seek medical help until well into adulthood.
There is nothing novel about living with ADHD, and allowing it to be the next cool kink is borderline offensive to each and every one of us that battles like a muthafugga every single day.
If someone “thinks” they have it, gently suggest they speak to a professional. Normalizing things like this only trivializes the actual experience, and we owe it to each other to honor the struggle we all know too well. I’m all for proper diagnoses, but fuck those that (inadvertently?) see it as some coolness badge to collect.
Good news then. You can’t both be undiagnosed and taking prescriptions for your diagnosis.
Crisis averted.
Who wants to tell him?
“Sorry to inform you, sir, but there are shit scads of people ‘self-medicating’.”
Look at any university around exam time. People get desperate and do misinformed/stupid things all the time. Taking unperscribed ADHD meds is not an exception.