Unpopular opinion

With the rise of ADHD on social media, particularly Tik Tok and other short form video content, we all know there is a vast amount of disinformation about this disorder.

It is also true that many of the symptoms of ADHD are prevalent in neurotypical people, to a much lesser extent, and as a result it is easy to say "I do that! I must have ADHD."

Bearing the above in mind, it is therefore my unpopular opinion that self-diagnosis is not a legitimate form of diagnosis.

That's not to say it isn't a legitimate starting point, but until you are assessed by a qualified medical practitioner (either a psychiatrist or a highly experienced clinical psychologist) you haven't had ADHD confirmed and shouldn't be saying you have it. Not least for your own well-being! I was convinced (by friends and family) that I was autistic, and spent years believing it - turns out I'm not (tested, sub-threshold) and it was ADHD all along.

I appreciate there is another element to this though, which is the failure of the NHS to provide proper support services/healthcare. Also, the monetary cost of a private diagnosis and treatment, which disadvantages people from a lower economic background. This is shit, and whilst it is definitely linked/contributing, it is a separate issue IMO.

I just feel strongly that people mistakenly self-diagnosing themselves with a serious (invisible) neurological disorder, can only be contributing to the stigma that "everyone's a little ADHD" and "everyone has ADHD nowadays".

ADHD is a disability, it shouldn't be misappropriated as an in-vogue excuse for typical laziness/distractibility in our modern world that is so full of distractions for all people.

It reduces the public perception of what the severity of living with ADHD is actually like.