If you're at all on social media, you might've noticed a trend in the last couple of years or so where people like to attribute ADHD and autism symptoms to themselves. A 2024 survey by the Ohio State University revealed that 25% of adults in America suspect they have undiagnosed ADHD.
This trend of self-diagnosing can be worrying, but it isn't so surprising once we consider the history of diagnosing neurodivergent people.
Social psychologist Devon Price writes that self-diagnosis can be liberating, especially for women. In the past, the tools to diagnose autism and ADHD have been suspiciously male-centric. Price writes that they were "designed with young, white, cisgender male patients with visibly obvious symptoms in mind."
Many patients with ADHD get misdiagnosed and dismissed because they don't fit that old criteria. One clue might be family members: since the disorder is genetic, people with neurospicy folks in their family tree are more likely to have the disorders, too.
Psychologist and clinical assistant professor in Ohio State’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Justin Barterian, PhD, explains how some adults might realize they have ADHD one it's been diagnosed to their children.
"There's definitely more awareness of how it can continue to affect folks into adulthood and a lot of people who are realizing, once their kids have been diagnosed, that they fit these symptoms as well, given that it's a genetic disorder."
You feel hyperactive sometimes? ADHD! You make impulse purchases online and regret them once the goods arrive? ADHD! This is something you might see on social media where people diagnose themselves and others with ADHD or autism without having proper credentials for it.
Dr. Barterian says it's okay to watch such videos and suspect you might be neurodivergent. He does, however, advise to get checked out by a proper psychologist, psychiatrist, or physician. They're most likely to give you the most reliable assessment, not strangers on TikTok and Instagram.
The biggest problem with self-diagnosing is that people tend to look at an autism or ADHD diagnosis as a explanation for their poor job performance, feelings of overwhelm, and other disappointing and frustrating experiences which may just be a normal part of life.
"Often enough, it is fair to say, the everyday distress, role conflicts, and lifestyle issues that motivate the personal appropriation of these categories have little to do with a mental disorder," professor of Sociology Joseph E. Davis wrote for Psychology Today.
Surprisingly, some experts believe that self-diagnosing can do good, too. Robert Chapman, a neurodivergent philosopher in the United Kingdom who specializes in disability theory, told the Los Angeles Times that psychology and psychiatry is rife with miscalculations and misdiagnoses. That doesn't mean that they're always wrong, but observing and trying to change one's behaviors after self-diagnosing can help some people reclaim power.
"You might notice you have all of these challenges with social relationships, sensory difficulties, or paying attention, and you might think it's autism for a while," Chapman explained. "And then you're like, 'Hang on, I fit more with ADHD.' Even if you've gotten it wrong, you've still learned about yourself, your differences and needs."
