3 ms·

ADHD is a real condition absolutely. However, the symptoms seen all over the board as layman. Which is concerning. How often is ADHD misdiagnosed as a result?

ADHD is a real condition absolutely. However, the symptoms seen all over the board as layman. Which is concerning. How often is ADHD misdiagnosed as a result? If it is hereditary, have we found the gene(s) which would enable us to pinpoint the diagnosis, possibly even before birth? I also have trouble falling asleep and have made bad decisions in the past. I have effective strategies to mitigate. Do I actually have ADHD and need to take amphetamines? I am not saying this of you, but I find it disheartening when people say "it is just my genes, nothing I can do about it". It's fatalistic and a self-fulfilling prophecy. If there actually are unknown environmental factors, that attitude seems to be ignoring them outright. For instance, exposure to large doses of lead as a child might instead be incorrectly diagnosed and interpreted as "just my genes I guess". There are so many poorly understood chemicals swimming around our water supplies, food systems, cosmetics, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if we're taking drugs to bandaid something much deeper to blame.

xyzzy_plugh 5y ago
Sure, I guess I mostly agree with you, and in an ideal world there would be no misdiagnosis, but without that you have to give people the benefit of the doubt. Otherwise, you're just mean. > I also have trouble falling asleep and have made bad decisions in the past. I have effective strategies to mitigate. Do I actually have ADHD and need to take amphetamines? This is a huge tell that you don't have ADHD. Effective strategies! My kingdom for even a somewhat effective strategy. If you're a child and adults are making decisions for you, obviously without some sort of physical genetic or blood or radiological test there's a fundamental and significant margin of error. For adults who have spent most of their lives suffering ignorantly to put together the pieces and obtain a diagnosis is basically a triumph. The sort of problems many people face on a regular basis are serious enough challenges that without medical intervention, they would be jobless or homeless or their friends and family would leave them or worse. Most people don't share unprompted how many times they've been fired, how many tests they failed or classes they flunked out of, flights they missed, bills they didn't pay, gifts they didn't buy, family members they indirectly harmed emotionally or physically (ever put off buying food for you kids?) The problem is that we have reduced executive function. It's like sitting on a train track with a train approaching head on and thinking "I know I should get out of the way but I think I'll just wait a little longer". Relying only on a fight-or-flight response to progress through life is dangerous. Finally, yes, sure, it's all a band-aid, but if you're able to tell me what I can do to stop taking drugs I will literally throw money at you. You'd be rich. They're not fun. The side effects are not fun. They don't make you feel good. Don't confuse prescribed amphetamines for recreational drug use. They're not equivalent.

xyzzy_plugh 5y ago

Sure, I guess I mostly agree with you, and in an ideal world there would be no misdiagnosis, but without that you have to give people the benefit of the doubt. Otherwise, you're just mean. > I also have trouble falling asleep and have made bad decisions in the past. I have effective strategies to mitigate. Do I actually have ADHD and need to take amphetamines? This is a huge tell that you don't have ADHD. Effective strategies! My kingdom for even a somewhat effective strategy. If you're a child and adults are making decisions for you, obviously without some sort of physical genetic or blood or radiological test there's a fundamental and significant margin of error. For adults who have spent most of their lives suffering ignorantly to put together the pieces and obtain a diagnosis is basically a triumph. The sort of problems many people face on a regular basis are serious enough challenges that without medical intervention, they would be jobless or homeless or their friends and family would leave them or worse. Most people don't share unprompted how many times they've been fired, how many tests they failed or classes they flunked out of, flights they missed, bills they didn't pay, gifts they didn't buy, family members they indirectly harmed emotionally or physically (ever put off buying food for you kids?) The problem is that we have reduced executive function. It's like sitting on a train track with a train approaching head on and thinking "I know I should get out of the way but I think I'll just wait a little longer". Relying only on a fight-or-flight response to progress through life is dangerous. Finally, yes, sure, it's all a band-aid, but if you're able to tell me what I can do to stop taking drugs I will literally throw money at you. You'd be rich. They're not fun. The side effects are not fun. They don't make you feel good. Don't confuse prescribed amphetamines for recreational drug use. They're not equivalent.