Okay maybe I’m ADHD, what’s next?

Is diagnosis just about trying out medication?

So you have always known you were “different” and have finally figured out why. Maybe your child was diagnosed ADHD and you met the criteria too. Did you match symptoms on an ADHD symptom list? Maybe a friend suggested you might be a bit ADD? Maybe you read an article, saw a TV programme? Light bulbs went off – it’s like the author knows you – so many ticks against the symptoms!

So you think you may be ADHD?

Well whatever alerted you, you most probably are! Self discovery of ADHD typically comes after years, often decades of struggle. This is always followed by months of hyper-focused internet research. Most adults reflect deeply before they finally come to conclude they are ADHD. Many then see their next step is to confirm their theory with a medical diagnosis.

ADHD is pretty common too with ranges given from 2-10% of the population depending on how inclusive the medical criteria are. Taking an adult estimate of 4.2% for adults in higher income countries, Fayyad, 2007. Using Google to return population figures in March 2016, Worldwide that’s nearly 300 million adults with ADHD! Less than 1% of whom are diagnosed.

Get some help

So you are probably right in your self-diagnosis. If you don’t want medication, then you don’t need a medical diagnosis. But I’m sure you could do with some help, finally there is effective help. That help does not have to come from a medical professional, there are plenty of forms of help for people with ADHD that do not require a formal medical diagnosis, in fact many are available for free.

You’ve been struggling with hidden and misunderstood problems until now. It’s about time that you better understand what has troubled you and caused issue. The new knowledge and insights can make a major difference in overcoming challenges. You can get help from reading books, internet sites and forums. You can meet and talk with other ADHD adults at support groups, conferences and maybe take on a coach to work as a team to address long seated problems. You can read blogs, forums and watch hundreds of videos of world experts and some crazy ADHD YouTubers.

Next steps

It’s fantastic that you are here now, thinking that you are ADHD and able to start a journey to better understanding, accepting and embracing your ADHD. So here is my summary of the steps you can now take:

• Check out helpful ADHD websites
• Get diagnosed, medications help many people. Read my UK diagnosis guide
• Meet some other folks with ADHD at a support group
• Hire an ADHD coach

Life can get much better....