Diagnosing ADHD

Do you or a loved one have ADHD? It can be hard to know where to begin, who to consult and what to say to a specialist.

Let’s address one thing first: the mindset. Our modern world is not set up to help, carry or hint at success for ADHDers (more than 60% incarcerated individuals have an ADHD diagnosis by the way).

It is your job as a parent, spouse, or a fellow ADHDer to position yourself or your child for success, daily.

What does that mean? Well, you wouldn’t put a rooster in a dark box and get mad at it for no crowing every morning would you? Nor would you get mad at it for not crowing after years of being in that box! Position yourself to see the sun every morning as often as you can.

Here’s the criteria and symptoms in the DSM-V:

Those who may have ADHD and ADHD symptoms show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity, that interferes with daily functioning or development:

Now that you know the criteria what can be done?

Here’s a a few ideas to use before getting a formal diagnosis. If you have one already try these before your first session with a therapist!

1. Become educated
2. Give education; to teachers, your spouse and your child
3. Begin identifying your ADHD superpowers and your ADHD kryptonite’s
4. Learn “Positioning” (think about the rooster)
5. Address the emotional pitfalls placed upon you by life experiences and society (remember the REAL disorder is the stigmas placed on ADHDer’s)