What To Do If You Think You Might Have ADHD
Have you come across some information on ADHD that feels surprisingly familiar? Maybe you’ve started to realize that it’s not common to forget things all the time or to be as easily distracted as you are. Maybe you’ve started to think that being late all the time is a more serious problem than you thought it was. Regardless of what signs stood out to you, you now suspect you might have ADHD, but you don’t know what to do about it.
The truth is, you don’t have to do anything about it. You can choose to keep living your life as you have all this time. But if you truly think your potential ADHD is affecting your everyday life, then you might want to do something about it. While reaching out to a professional is necessary, there are a few other things you can do before you get to that point.
Write It Down
The first thing you want to do is write down all the reasons why you think you have ADHD. That will make it easy to explain why you think you have it later. And you will have to. This way, you won’t forget any details, which is likely to happen if you have ADHD.
It can also help you put your thoughts in order. It can give you a place to start if you’re not sure how to begin approaching the topic. After all, it can be daunting to go up to people and tell them you believe you have ADHD, whether they’re your peers or professionals.
Consider Alternatives
It’s possible that the ADHD symptoms you’re experiencing are actually signs of another mental illness. Anxiety or depression, for example, have a lot in common with ADHD. It won’t hurt to look into those and see if you might identify more with them than you do with ADHD. If anything, it might even be helpful if the answer turns out to be yes.
Of course, if, after that, you still believe you have ADHD, that’s okay. That’s a very real possibility. Just make sure you consider every possible alternative so you can get the help you need.
Talk To Others
If there are people in your life who also have ADHD, then don’t hesitate to reach out to them. Comparing experiences can help you gain confidence in yourself. Having the understanding and support of someone who truly knows what you’re going through can be invaluable. And in return, you’ll be able to support them, too.
Having ADHD can come with lots of challenges, but friends who have more experience dealing with it can offer you tips on how to cope with its hardest parts. What works for them might not necessarily work for you, but it can be a good place to start discovering what coping mechanisms work best for you.
Seek Professional Help
In all honesty, the only person who can truly confirm whether you have ADHD or not is a professional. It might be a little scary to contact one at first. After all, what if it turns out you’re wrong? What if you don’t have ADHD, and there’s no explanation for why you seem to struggle more than everyone else? A qualified counselor is your best bet if you want to know the truth.
Whether you do have ADHD or not, a psychologist can help you. They can help you cope with your new ADHD diagnosis. Or, they can help you figure out why you seem to struggle so much on a daily basis. If ADHD testing is something you are curious about or genuinely want to pursue, reach out to schedule an appointment today.
