3 ms·

Yea the amount of people jumping on that bandwagon with "self diagnosis" has been a little grating for sure, particularly when there are many, many diagnostic t

Yea the amount of people jumping on that bandwagon with "self diagnosis" has been a little grating for sure, particularly when there are many, many diagnostic tests that can rule ADHD out with very good certainty. Similar experience for me, particularly the relationships one stings a little bit reading about it. I'm obviously not your doctor but I got off of stims years ago and have found a lot of success with bupropion (wellbutrin). It's not narcotic and has shown success in dealing with ADHD symptoms + depression from ADHD.

hirvi74 3y ago
> there are many, many diagnostic tests that can rule ADHD out with very good certainty What data do you have to support this? Based on some of the research I read coupled with anecdotal experiences I have witnessed in others, ADHD is not that difficult to fake. I do not think a majority of people with ADHD are faking anything either. I just don't think the diagnostic process is as robust as people want to believe. Before anyone gets up in arms, I have ADHD too. However, I imagine these test to be something like a diagnostic test to determine if an animal is a fish or not. Does the creature live in water? Does the creature have fins? Etc.. So, if a creature checks all the boxes, then is it a fish? What if I analyze a dolphin? Dolphins have fins, dolphins live in water, etc.. My point is that we cannot prove one has ADHD beyond a reasonable doubt. No biomarkers, no scans, or anything of the like. Thus, how can we claim the diagnostic tests are accurate when we can't even definitively find what they are supposed to diagnose? It seems to me that science has the "tail," but still can't find the "donkey" to pin it on. Now do understand, I do not doubt that ADHD exists. ADHD has damn near ruined my life. However, I do question the accuracy of our understanding of it. We know stimulants help a select group of people, perhaps somewhat more than others, but even then, our understand of why stimulants are effective are still merely hypothetical. Stimulants are also not effective for everyone with ADHD. I am glad we are willing to help people prior to having all the answers for it's been beneficial to my life. I understand our condition has faced a lot of stigma, and research has tried it's best to combat the stigma and false perceptions, but I feel like the trust in research can sometimes swing too far in the opposite direction. There are plenty of unknowns, and I truly think we have long, long way to go.

hirvi74 3y ago

> there are many, many diagnostic tests that can rule ADHD out with very good certainty What data do you have to support this? Based on some of the research I read coupled with anecdotal experiences I have witnessed in others, ADHD is not that difficult to fake. I do not think a majority of people with ADHD are faking anything either. I just don't think the diagnostic process is as robust as people want to believe. Before anyone gets up in arms, I have ADHD too. However, I imagine these test to be something like a diagnostic test to determine if an animal is a fish or not. Does the creature live in water? Does the creature have fins? Etc.. So, if a creature checks all the boxes, then is it a fish? What if I analyze a dolphin? Dolphins have fins, dolphins live in water, etc.. My point is that we cannot prove one has ADHD beyond a reasonable doubt. No biomarkers, no scans, or anything of the like. Thus, how can we claim the diagnostic tests are accurate when we can't even definitively find what they are supposed to diagnose? It seems to me that science has the "tail," but still can't find the "donkey" to pin it on. Now do understand, I do not doubt that ADHD exists. ADHD has damn near ruined my life. However, I do question the accuracy of our understanding of it. We know stimulants help a select group of people, perhaps somewhat more than others, but even then, our understand of why stimulants are effective are still merely hypothetical. Stimulants are also not effective for everyone with ADHD. I am glad we are willing to help people prior to having all the answers for it's been beneficial to my life. I understand our condition has faced a lot of stigma, and research has tried it's best to combat the stigma and false perceptions, but I feel like the trust in research can sometimes swing too far in the opposite direction. There are plenty of unknowns, and I truly think we have long, long way to go.