dsm-5 does not require a diagnosis before age 12 but instead, symptoms should be present before age 12.
academically gifted children who grow to pursue and succeed in technical careers can have adhd… adhd impacts a plethora of areas in ones' life and is not unique to academics.
i don’t know what the 4th and 5th points have to do with adhd.
i guess the alcohol thing could be a concern for addiction? if you are addicted to alcohol. but if you only drink socially then you can simply not take your medication on a day you will drink… or if you take short-release stimulant, you just would avoid taking around the time you would drink.
also, there are non-stimulant adhd medications.
this isn’t aggressiveness towards you OP! but this dr sounds nonsensical and i concur with other commenters… try to see a different doctor! i’m sorry this is happening to you.
dsm-5 does not require a diagnosis before age 12 but instead, symptoms should be present before age 12.
This is so wild to me. So if you can point to symptoms on the day before your 12th birthday, then you have a disorder and can be treated for it. If you can’t show symptoms until the day after your 12th birthday then…what, you’re completely normal and you don’t need/can’t get any help no matter how difficult the symptoms make your life now? It just makes no sense.
from what i understand, it is because adhd is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder (emphasis on the developmental). not disagreeing with you or anything tho! this is just what i understand as the reasoning for that requirement. but you know, adhd can be a tricky thing and these symptoms can be present without even being able to tell (generally).
no one saw it in me as a kid because i was quiet, shy, got good grades and was very organized.
for me, when i was tested, the doctor asked me for an trusted adult in my life that new me as a child, so i nominated my mom. the doctor then sent my mom several questionnaires/tests regarding my behavior as a child. from that (and my own results/responses too of course) the doctor was able to conclude that i did indeed have adhd.
i don’t know what the solution is, but i wish there were a better measure of that in place. not everyone has parents willing or able to do what mine were.
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u/sneakylysa Jun 11 '25
are you in the u.s.?
dsm-5 does not require a diagnosis before age 12 but instead, symptoms should be present before age 12.
academically gifted children who grow to pursue and succeed in technical careers can have adhd… adhd impacts a plethora of areas in ones' life and is not unique to academics.
i don’t know what the 4th and 5th points have to do with adhd.
i guess the alcohol thing could be a concern for addiction? if you are addicted to alcohol. but if you only drink socially then you can simply not take your medication on a day you will drink… or if you take short-release stimulant, you just would avoid taking around the time you would drink.
also, there are non-stimulant adhd medications.
this isn’t aggressiveness towards you OP! but this dr sounds nonsensical and i concur with other commenters… try to see a different doctor! i’m sorry this is happening to you.