What to Do When You Think Someone Has ADHD
Once you get diagnosed with ADHD and/or learn about it, you become more able to spot it in others. Some people you just suspect they have it. With other people, you would be shocked if they did not have it. The question then becomes what to do. Do you tell them your suspicions, or do you ignore it and hope they figure it out? The answer to that question is…
It Depends…
It is not a black and white situation. You might say something depending on the circumstances surrounding your thoughts. What you need to do is ask yourself the following questions.
Are They Struggling?
Is the person in question struggling? If they are, you might want to intervene and reveal what you think. However, they may be living a quality life and have no reason to seek support. If they are doing well in life, throwing a diagnosis into the mix might mess up the stability they have. Only reveal your thoughts of ADHD if the person in question is having a rough go of it. In that situation, it might be a relief to know that it is not their fault.
Who Are You to Them?
The other thing you want to consider is your relation to the person. Are you a random person who encounters them in public? If yes, it is a good idea to mind your own business. Walking up to a random person in the street and going, “Hey, I think you have ADHD!” will not be met with the best response. However, if you are a family member, the person’s teacher, or someone who is otherwise close to the individual, it might be beneficial to share what you suspect with them as long as you come at it from a place of love and a genuine desire to support them.
Remember: You Are Not a Doctor
The other thing you want to remember when you suspect someone has ADHD is that ADHD can only be diagnosed by a trained professional. For most people, that is not you. I am an ADHD coach and would argue that I know a great deal about ADHD, but I am not qualified to diagnose it. Only someone who has had the training and is licensed can diagnose a person with ADHD. For most people, that is not you.
To Summarize…
As a summary of what I have written, remember these points:
Only say something if the person is struggling and you are close to them.
If you do say something, come from a place of love.
Refer to a trained professional and avoid relying on your expertise or the expertise of some random person on the internet.
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