Can I self-diagnose myself with ADHD?

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OK I won't go all into listing all the symptoms of ADHD that I do have and ASD symptoms that I don't have, but I have just brought an interesting book on ADHD in adults and it describes me so much, more than the Asperger's and Autism book I have. OK I may still have some traits of AS, but I believe ADHD is more dominant, if you get what I mean.

I know that whenever I say I have ADHD, people immediately understand me better. I have a lot of stereotypes and common traits of ADHD that are obvious to others, while I have no stereotypes of AS. I have always had an anxiety disorder, which I think got mistaken for AS as a child, but I do feel that I might have been misdiagnosed with AS as a child. One doctor did suspect ADHD when I first started school, but because I wasn't extroverted (I suppose back then people expected children with ADHD have to be extroverts), the psychiatrist denied it. But looking back, I was not a typical Aspie child either. I won't list all the proof as to how I think that, but I will list one: I remember when I was around 8-11 I would sometimes have temper tantrums when my parents came to pick me up from a friend's or a cousin's house, because I loved playing with other children, and so didn't want to leave. I remember yelling at my parents in the car all the way home, telling them ''why couldn't you have picked me up at 8 o'clock instead of 7???'' I remember those moments so well.

So anyway I was thinking that I could self-diagnose myself with ADHD. I don't know what to do with the ASD diagnosis though. I could go to see the doctor, but some people believe that ADHD don't exist, which really annoys me something chronic because it does exist and it can affect a person.

You could self-diagnose, but if you want access to ADHD-specific medication or services, it almost certainly won't count. (There probably won't be any ADHD services for adults anyway, to be fair.) It sounds like you want to remove your ASD diagnosis and have an ADHD one instead.

Your GP can't remove the ASD diagnosis for you: you'll need a psychiatrist to do that. This is a bit of a weird situation, to be honest. Ideally you'd want to see a psychiatrist who is familiar with both autism and ADHD, because if you just see any psychiatrist there's a danger you could be slapped with even more useless labels, like Borderline Personality Disorder, or whatever. (Not that I am saying I think you have BPD: but you're female. Young women tend to attact these sort of labels like magnets.)

I hope you have a good GP, 'cos I think you are gonna need to book a long session with your GP to discuss this with him or her.

Well, it seems like I remember reading that ADHD is ALSO an Autism Spectrum Disorder; so, in that regard, it doesn't matter----BUT, if you need medication, then "self diagnosis" probably won't "do".

Also, if it's hyperness, that you're experiencing, for instance, it could, very well, be masking your Autism symptoms, and makes you not as conscience of them; and, therefore, they SEEM less. I've read, several times, on WP, how ADHD and Autistic symptoms are so very similar. I've been diagnosed with BOTH----it's very common, to have both.

ADHD is not an ASD. It is a relatively common comorbidity, but still occurs in a minority of people on the spectrum.
Some studies suggest that many non-ASD people with ADHD are in the broader autistic phenotype.

There isn't any point self diagnosing ADHD.

Of course you can, but as has already been mentioned, that won't help you get meds. But it may help you develop a framework of your issues and point you in new directions regarding trying to mediate some of your deficits.

It is also possible you have both. FWIW, my daugther (who I 100% believe has ASD) cries when I pick her up from playdates because she wants to stay. I see it as a matter of a couple different "autie" issues. One is difficulty transitioning and another is having difficulty when her expectations violated. I think it is worse if she does not consider herself "finished" playing.

Also FWIW, I do think that ASD, ADHD, and OCD are part of some broader spectrum, with significant overlap for many people. My kids' neurologist also believes this as do some of his colleagues, so while it may not be an officially recognized "spectrum," there are educated people who conceptualize it that way.

Joe90, what would you hope to get out of adding an ADHD diagnosis? Of dropping your AS one? I think that understanding your "goals" can help inform you of what direction to go.

As I previously suggested, Joe should try and get referred here: https://www.national.slam.nhs.uk/servic ... adultadhd/

Your self-diagnosis will only "count" for you and those who believe. Only quacks would prescribe meds based on a self-diagnosis.

You can't just call up the NHS and ask for services based on a self-diagnosis.

She's a self-loathing Aspie who has been deceiving her significant other about her diagnosis and wants an excuse to call herself something else.

There's nothing shameful in being an Aspie.

Can we please keep it civil?

Dunno m8. My GP has prescribed me some weird s**t before now (most of which I never tried). Been thinking of asking him for a trial of ritalin or similar, 'cos my concentration span is so bad.

I haven't worked out whether I really want to do this or not. It's probably a really dumb idea, but that's never stopped me before.

Yeah, seems to me I read that ADHD had been considered as such, as far back as 2006!! I just looked for those articles and can't find them----I'm gonna continue to look.....

Oh shut up, if you actually met me and spent a day with me you might change your opinion.

I do honestly feel AS doesn't describe me as much as ADHD does. I've even had a few people at work ask if I've been tested for ADHD, just out of the blue.

I really should recommend this book to some of you.

I'm not intending on going on meds for ADHD symptoms, although my forgetfulness does interfere with work, and I get told off every day about something.
I am on antidepressants by the way, because I was depressed, but those have nothing to do with how I feel I have ADHD, as I felt like I had these same symptoms of ADHD a few years ago but never thought too deeply about it. The only thing that has changed about me since I went on the meds is I am not self-loathing any more. I am quite happy being me.

Oh yes and my concentration is poor, which is the main thing what interferes with work. I have very low attention to detail.

I directed this to Joe90. To be honest, I am not interested in your input, but if I become interested, I will ask for it, or pose a question not directed to an individual.

WTF makes people so ugly sometimes? (That's a rhetorical question, and I know the answer, so please don't feel compelled to answer it...it's mostly just an expression of my exasperation with some humans.) Bullies...I always thought they'd grow up and stop existing once I became a grown up. <sigh>

Sorry, Joe.