ADHD Self-Diagnosis: What Are The Risks?

The growing popularity of social media and online quizzes for ADHD self-diagnosis makes it simpler to diagnose yourself with ADHD than it really might be. Although it may initially offer you relief or clarity about specific symptoms, it could do more harm than good.

According to research, ADHD is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions worldwide. An estimated 1 million people in the US may receive incorrect diagnoses. Misdiagnosis could lead to their exposure to unnecessary medical procedures and medications.

This article explains the pitfalls and risks associated with ADHD self-diagnosis.

Source: Bridgeable

ADHD should not be self-diagnosed. While symptom identification can be pursued, a true self-diagnosis is not possible because of the following factors:

1. ADHD Needs A Formal Diagnosis

ADHD requires a thorough assessment by a qualified professional, including:

• Mental health professionals, like psychiatrists or psychologists
• Primary care providers, such as pediatricians or family practitioners

For an accurate diagnosis, a comprehensive evaluation of symptoms is needed, as ADHD can easily be misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. According to a study, less than 20% of adults receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment for ADHD.

ADHD can also be harder to spot in adults given their creative ways to cope with the symptoms. Adults can mask their ADHD by blending into social settings and showing up early to appointments, adding a unique challenge to making a correct diagnosis.

2. Presence of Conditions That Have Similar Symptoms With ADHD

Another reason why ADHD self-diagnosis is not recommended is that other conditions can show symptoms that mimic ADHD. These conditions include:

• Anxiety: Individuals with ADHD may experience emotional dysregulation, a common characteristic of anxiety disorder. Emotional dysregulation manifests as not sticking to social rules and having trouble getting along with individuals.
• Depression: ADHD and depression have similar symptoms as well. These symptoms include having difficulties with focus and concentration. There may be problems related to sleeping and eating as well. Those taking ADHD stimulant medications are especially prone to experiencing depressive symptoms.
• Learning disabilities: Both ADHD and learning disabilities impact executive function, which results in challenges with attention, focus, and working memory.
• Sleep disorders: Sleep difficulties can lead to symptoms commonly observed with ADHD. For example, people with a sleep disorder may feel restless and unable to pay attention, even if they don't have ADHD. Meanwhile, those with ADHD and a sleep disorder can experience more severe symptoms given the overlap of conditions.

3. Quizzes for Self-Diagnosis of ADHD Are Not Reliable

Online ADHD quizzes can give you some ideas about possible ADHD symptoms. However, they typically don't have the same depth and trustworthiness as a diagnosis from a professional. These tools usually make the diagnostic criteria for ADHD too simple and do not consider other conditions or personal history.

Even though these tools can motivate people to ask for help, they should not replace a thorough assessment by a qualified medical expert.

What Are the Risks for ADHD Self-Diagnosis?

Self-diagnosing ADHD can be risky. With self-diagnosis, it’s easy to become biased and overlook other medical issues, potentially leading to an incorrect diagnosis and unnecessary or ineffective treatment.

Prone to Bias or Misinterpretation

Exposure to social media content may influence us to self-diagnose ADHD. This activity can propagate biases and misconceptions.

Platforms like TikTok have come under fire as possible channels for self-diagnosing various conditions.

A study on TikTok revealed that the platform has a big impact, with its #mentalhealth content getting more than 1 billion views. However, that same platform can also share false information and be a place where people diagnose their own mental health issues.

Another study that looked at TikTok videos found that about half of them had incorrect information about ADHD. This finding shows the risk of relying on social media content to self-diagnose.

Missing a Possible Medical Disorder

Another risk of ADHD self-diagnosis is the possibility of overlooking a serious medical condition. The following disorders may show symptoms and signs that resemble those of ADHD:

• Vision or hearing impairments
• Anemia
• Thyroid disease

Co-occurring medical conditions might also not be ignored with ADHD self-diagnosis. Such conditions include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Research also shows a significant link between ADHD and physical comorbidities. Findings showed that individuals with ADHD may have increased susceptibility to neurologic problems as well as digestive health issues. It’s important to understand these relations for appropriate treatment, which can be overlooked without seeking a professional medical diagnosis.

Ineffective Medications and Treatment

An incorrect ADHD self-diagnosis could lead to ineffective medication and treatments. Here are reasons why ineffective treatment is a concern:

Worsening Symptoms and Impairments

Ineffective treatments may make symptoms and impairments worse, especially for those with comorbidities. According to a study, having additional psychiatric disorders with ADHD causes:

• More severe impairment
• Treatment resistance
• Poorer health outcomes

The same study mentioned that, as per clinical guidelines, when ADHD coexists with other comorbidities, the more severe condition should be treated first. This requires a professional diagnosis by a qualified healthcare provider to develop an effective treatment plan tailored to the individual's needs.

Potential for Harmful Side Effects

ADHD medications, such as stimulants, have side effects like:

• Increased blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Anxiety

These risks can go unmonitored without proper medical oversight, leading to unnecessary complications.

Overlooking Holistic Care

Effective ADHD management often involves a combination of:

• Medication
• Professional guidance
• Lifestyle adjustments
• Behavioral therapies

Self-diagnosis may focus solely on one or two of these approaches, neglecting other critical aspects of treatment.

Wasted Resources

Pursuing treatments without professional input can waste time and money on solutions that don’t address the real issue, which leaves individuals feeling frustrated and helpless.

The economic impact of ineffective medications is significant. A report stated that medication errors, such as the use of ineffective medications, cost the US healthcare system roughly $17 billion each year.

Wrap Up

ADHD diagnosis requires evaluation and diagnosis by a qualified health professional, and ADHD self-diagnosis is discouraged. ADHD is a complex condition with many shared symptoms with other conditions. Given the overlap of symptoms, it is easy to misdiagnose ADHD and potentially overlook other important medical conditions that could be the source of symptoms.

Online self-screening tools should be used only for interest. Overall, they are largely incomplete and ignore coexisting conditions and personal history, which are both key to an accurate diagnosis.

So, what are the risks of self-diagnosis? An inaccurate diagnosis can lead to biases, misconceptions, and ineffective treatments, which all carry their own burdens. To avoid these potential harms, it’s important to consult with a health professional to accurately assess you for ADHD.

Frequently Asked Questions on ADHD Self-Diagnosis

Why do professionals require a history of symptoms from childhood for a diagnosis of adult ADHD?

Childhood symptoms are important for diagnosing adult ADHD because they help distinguish it from other psychiatric disorders. Evaluation should also confirm that these symptoms started during a person's early years.

Are there any physical tests to diagnose ADHD?

The primary care provider may conduct a physical exam to screen for specific health conditions. Besides the physical exam, formal ADHD diagnosis may involve other steps. These steps include looking at family health history and having interviews.

What happens if ADHD is left undiagnosed?

Research shows that undiagnosed ADHD in kids can lead to long-term negative effects in adulthood. It can significantly affect a person's social and emotional health, relationships, and sense of control over their life.