ADHD Self-Diagnosis: Empowerment or Pitfall?

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Ever felt like you're juggling a thousand thoughts and none are staying in the air? If you've ever wondered whether your constant mental whirlwind might be adult ADHD, you're not alone.

In the age of TikTok and social media, many of us are tempted to self-diagnose - especially when faced with long waits and high costs for professional assessments. But is self-diagnosing ADHD a smart move, or a risky gamble?

Self-diagnosis can be empowering, but it can also lead to inaccuracies and missed opportunities for proper treatment. Let's explore both sides of the coin so you can make the best decision for your mental health journey. Plus, see opinions on both sides from the Shimmer team.

What Is Self-Diagnosis?

Self-diagnosis involves identifying and labeling your symptoms based on personal research rather than through professional evaluation. For adult ADHD, this often means reading articles, taking online quizzes, and comparing your experiences with the stories of others, often shared on social media, who have been formally diagnosed. It's about piecing together information to understand what might be going on in your mind.

Why Are People Turning to Self-Diagnosis?

“The year was 1995. It was long before the current trend of diagnosing yourself with ADHD was popular. I didn't have easy access to the internet…however, what I did have was my intuition! I was determined to get answers to my lifelong question of ‘what’s wrong’ with me? That perseverance led me to the book Driven to Distraction by Edward Hallowell & John Ratey. By gathering information from legitimate professionals I felt confident in being able to diagnose myself with ADHD. Eventually I found a doctor who treats adult ADHD, and he confirmed the diagnosis. Your intuition is invaluable and something to be trusted. My intuition and the ability to self-diagnose myself literally saved my life. Your life is worth saving too!” - Coach Karen

Self-diagnosis has become more common - and it's not hard to see why. Beginning with the obvious, internet makes information incredibly accessible. You can find countless resources discussing ADHD, from medical websites to personal blogs and support groups.

This ease of access to information can be a double-edged sword, as the average reader doesn’t have the education or experience necessary to tease apart the truth from exaggeration, or to identify inaccuracies in what appears to be reliable research.

On the other hand, the proliferation of social media content and other online resources may raise awareness about ADHD and prompt individuals to seek professional evaluation if they resonate with the symptoms described.

Then, there's the issue of healthcare access. Professional ADHD diagnoses can be expensive and time-consuming, often requiring multiple visits and tests. For many, especially those without adequate insurance or in countries with less accessible mental health services, self-diagnosis seems like a practical alternative.

“I’ve seen…people waiting for months (or even years in many parts of the world) for an appointment to diagnose. I think in the meantime it’s so helpful for those people to learn what they can about ADHD on their own, if they resonate with the symptoms, so they can start helping themselves and learning how to advocate when the time comes.” - Trina Haynes

Finally, there's the sense of urgency. When you're struggling with symptoms that disrupt your daily life, waiting months for an appointment feels unbearable. Self-diagnosis offers an immediate way to make sense of what you're experiencing and start looking for ways to cope.

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Pros of Self-Diagnosis for ADHD

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• Reduced isolation. Online communities and personal stories can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of connection for those struggling with potential ADHD symptoms.

“I honestly don’t mind that people are self diagnosing themselves with ADHD. It is showing that there is information out there that can help people realize that it is a thing and it’s real. It may not get them a prescription for meds, but it is giving them information, which gives them a reason and maybe hope. If they truly have ADHD, then maybe they will go down all the rabbit holes and learn what it is and how to help themselves until they decide to get some skilled help.  If they don’t have it…… well maybe they just wanted to belong to our fun, zany community.” - Coach Gary

• Relief from shame. Self-diagnosis can be the first step towards understanding and managing adult ADHD symptoms. It can provide validation for struggles we might otherwise see as character flaws after years of skepticism or dismissal from others.

“Self-diagnosis can give access to information and community, both of which can mean reduction of shame and anxiety. Getting a real diagnosis can be such an uphill battle, between scarcity of informed diagnosticians, the expense, the time, etc. Plus, if people feel empowered enough to inform themselves, they can also advocate for themselves that much better. I understand a self-diagnosis from Dr. TikTok is less than ideal, and creators do need to be careful with how they present information, include disclaimers, etc., but maybe an upside is an increased awareness and understanding of neurodiversity.” - Coach Brody

• A framework for moving forward. For those lacking access to healthcare or parental support, ADHD self-diagnosis can be a first step towards understanding their experiences and potentially seeking proper diagnosis later.
• Accessibility. Professional diagnosis of ADHD can be expensive and time-consuming. For individuals with less severe symptoms, or for those who don’t need/want medication, a self-diagnosis of ADHD is often enough to access support groups and ADHD coaching, and to find potential coping strategies.

“A good addition to the story might be the fact that some people are not believed when they go to their doctor, because their doctors aren't trained well enough with ADHD. The ADHD books I read in May all spoke about doctors not knowing enough.” - Coach Elisabeth

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Cons of Self-Diagnosis for ADHD

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• Inaccuracy. Social media content about ADHD can be misleading and inaccurate. Many ADHD symptoms can overlap with other conditions like anxiety, depression, or autism. Only a professional can properly differentiate and diagnose ADHD from comorbidities.

“Just because you relate to someone on TikTok or other social media, doesn't mean that you qualify for the diagnosis. There can be a lot of overlapping symptoms, so if you suspect you may have a diagnosis, please seek professional help.” - Coach Staci

• Misdirection and wasted time. Self-diagnosis based on limited or inaccurate information carries the risk of missing other potential explanations for the symptoms, and wasted time trying to treat yourself for the wrong thing.
• Dangerous self-treatment. Self-diagnosis can lead to inappropriate or harmful treatment choices. Some individuals may attempt to self-medicate with stimulants, which can have serious side effects if not taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
• Taking it too lightly. Some who self-diagnose do so after seeing a single relatable video or meme. Saying you have ADHD because you sometimes deal with a symptom or two can be hurtful to people who struggle daily.

“There are many MANY beautiful, joyful, encouraging moments in ADHD. But--controversial as the verbiage is--ADHD was identified originally as a "disorder" for a reason. ADHD costs time, effort, diligence. There is no end for ADHD. It doesn’t go away bc you get better at managing. It is a constant internal effort required by the person to stay afloat…so it is very offensive when someone says, “omg, I’m so forgetful too!!” or, "I am sooo ADD today." TikTok symptoms are a miniscule fraction of what ADHD really is. So yeah...it does bother me when this is taken lightly. You don't need a doctor to diagnose you as ADHD, but you do need an understanding of what is actually IS.” - Coach Tory

Balancing the ScalesSelf-diagnosis of ADHD can empower individuals to take control of their health and well-being, providing a starting point for understanding and managing their symptoms and improved self compassion. However, self-diagnosis also comes with risks, including the potential for inaccuracy, dangerous or ineffective self treatment, and wasted time and effort.Ultimately, finding the balance between self-awareness and professional help is key. By combining the insights gained through self-diagnosis with the expertise of healthcare professionals, individuals can develop a comprehensive approach to managing their ADHD symptoms and improving their overall quality of life.

“I am not particularly bothered by people self-diagnosing, simply because it is ultimately up to them what to do with that information. If a person feels that their life is significantly impacted by ADHD, and they recognize in themselves the type of patterns and behaviors that are consistent with that diagnosis, then it is a really good idea to seek out guidance and support.” - Coach Sarah

Looking for a little support, yourself? Shimmer’s affordable ADHD coaching doesn’t require an official diagnosis!