Wait, Do I Really Have ADHD? What’s Popular and What’s the Real Deal

Social media has an absolute chokehold on the idea of ADHD and the symptoms that accompany it. Open any social media app and it is right here in front of you. All signs mentioned are all traits and habits you personally carry. Do you really have ADHD? 

Let’s break down the numbers. Can you guess the percentage of people in the United States that are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? Approximately three and a half percent. According to research done by Oregon Health and Science University, ADHD was found to be strongly correlated with disruptive behavior, ill temper, lack of concentration and executive functioning.  Although that number doesn’t make you bolt to the search engine for a self-diagnosis test, you can’t help but wonder if you are part of that percentage after reading its correlations. Certainly, Tik Tok has you convinced, am I right, or am I right?

The teeter-tottering is getting old, do you or don’t you?  Let us take a look and see if you align with some, if not most of these characteristics brought on by ADHD. 

You’re Late, You’re Late, for a Very Important Date- aaand Everything Else Pretty Much. 

It is not uncommon for you to be running at the last minute to gather your things and head out the door. Your family knows to stop looking at the clock when there is an event because you’ll show up! Eventually… What matters is that you’re there, okay? It’s beginning to embarrass you though and you don’t quite understand why you can’t ever make it out of the house on time. 

Are You a Flower? Because You Remind Me of a Forget-Me-Not

Wait, are you reading this in the comfort of your pajamas knowing you had to meet up with your friend for dinner after work today? Runnnnn! Also, don’t forget ( because I know you already did) that  you left your keys in the car when you parked in your garage when you reminded yourself out loud that you’d be right back in to go to dinner. Was the sofa that irresistible, or are you mad at yourself yet again for forgetting what you had planned during the week?

To Splurge or Not To Splurge?

“To splurge!” Is what you told yourself in your head when you ogled at the picture of the bright cocktail in the menu and then gazed over at  the price. Specifically after you told yourself you’d stay within budget because you already splurged yesterday, and the day before. That cocktail was good and the guilt that followed was painful. Why do you always lose to impulse control?!

Did You Not Finish Your Laundry?

The pile might as well grow a pair of eyes because you’ve felt it staring at you the last three days. It’s not like you had other things to do! Like, finish repotting some plants- that are still waiting for you to finish repotting them on the deck. Or how about finishing up the paint job you started on that deck? It’s all overwhelming, your tasks take days, even months to be completed. 

“I Wonder How They Make That Crust So Crispy”

Is what you were thinking when your mom called to tell you about her extravagant trip to Europe. Europe made you think of Italy, which made you think of pizza, which made you crave your favorite deep dish, which led to you asking yourself questions about that delicious deep dish. It’s a vicious cycle that happens in almost every conversation or book you are reading. Now pay attention because your mom is now asking if you want to hear how she asks where the restrooms are in italian, by the way.

The problem is that these and many other symptoms that are categorized under ADHD can be explained easily by root problems you may not be aware of. The solution you personally need is to be handed to you by a healthcare provider or a mental health professional after they have taken their time to get to know you. If I could wave a magic wand and tell you if you truly have ADHD or not, I certainly would. Until that handy wand makes its way into existence in this world, know that I am here. I’m ready to help, I want to help! I’ve been there, done that which is why I’m so passionate about you taking control of your life. 

Now, let’s do this!