For five years, a person has been dealing with their friend M, who self-diagnosed themselves with ADHD. Despite living in a country with free healthcare, M has never sought an official diagnosis or treatment. Instead, M frequently uses their supposed ADHD as an excuse for various behaviors. The situation finally reaches a boiling point when M claims that their struggles during the pandemic are due to ADHD, prompting their friend to confront them.
Self-Diagnosed ADHD

Supportive at First

Not a Big Deal?

Excuses and Blame

Illegal Meds?

Resentment Builds

No Coping Mechanisms

Pandemic Struggles

Confrontation

Denial and Accusations

Mixed Reactions

EDIT: Response Overwhelming

A Long Overdue Confrontation ️
After years of enduring their friend M’s self-diagnosed ADHD and constant excuses, one person finally confronts M about seeking an official diagnosis. The confrontation leads to mixed reactions from their friend group, but ultimately, many are relieved that someone finally spoke up. As the pandemic continues to impact everyone’s mental health, it’s important to seek professional help when needed, rather than relying on self-diagnosis and excuses.
Self-diagnosing ADHD trivializes the condition and harms those with it
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Self-diagnosing issues can harm those with actual conditions. NTA.
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Living with ADHD is difficult, don’t trivialize it with excuses

NTA. Commenter questions validity of friend’s self-diagnosis of ADHD.

Valid point made about self-diagnosis and mental illness stigma

ADHD is not a trendy thing, it’s a real struggle

Friend uses ADHD as an excuse for bad behavior? NTA.

Friend claims undiagnosed ADHD as a crutch for bad behavior

Untreated ADHD can severely impact daily life, NTA offers insight.
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Importance of acknowledging and supporting mental health struggles of others
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Overcoming ADHD and medication: A composer’s story

Supporting self-diagnosis can be harmful. NTA for speaking up.

Misunderstanding and stigma around ADHD diagnosis and treatment discussed.

Calling out fake ADHD claims and enablers. NTA.

Undiagnosed ADHD can be a struggle, but treatment can help

Calling out fake illnesses for attention-seeking behavior

Agreeing with the commenter’s frustration towards their friend’s behavior.

Friend refuses to seek treatment for ADHD, blames behavior on it

Misunderstanding of OCD is damaging. NTA for calling out.

Don’t blame ADHD if you’re not even diagnosed
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Navigating mental health stigma in high school

Commenter called out for not being a professional, labeled YTA.

Is your friend using ADHD as an excuse for bad behavior?

Getting a diagnosis can be scary, but it’s necessary.

Self-diagnosing mental illness doesn’t help anyone. NTA, but bad behavior.

Taking responsibility is key. Medication can help. NTA.

Don’t self-diagnose ADHD. It’s not an excuse for bad behavior.

A commenter shares their experience with ADHD diagnosis in Canada.

Self-diagnosed friend refuses professional help, toxic behavior, NTA.

Don’t romanticize mental illness. It’s a real hindrance to function

Is your friend really OCD or just attention-seeking? NTA:ESH.

Self-diagnosing rarely ends well. Your friend needs professional help.

Respecting mental illness: A NTA comment on OCD appropriation

Is this friend really struggling with ADHD or just making excuses?

Getting an ADHD diagnosis as an adult in the UK

Self-diagnosed autism causing harm to those on the spectrum. NTA.

Self-diagnosis is valid but diagnosis is a privilege. NTA.
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Support for ADHD diagnosis and frustration with stigma.

Validating the struggles of self-diagnosed ADHD/autism is harmful.

ADHD medication is a game changer, but friend refuses to see doctor

Self-diagnosing disabilities? Not cool. See a doctor, folks! ⚕️

Supporting mental health is crucial, not a trend for attention.
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Confronting a friend’s hypocrisy about seeking treatment for ADHD

Encouraging support for seeking medical help for ADHD

Friend refuses to see a doctor for ADHD diagnosis

Friend self-diagnoses ADHD but refuses to see a doctor

ADHD is not an excuse, it’s a reality. NTA.
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Commenter claims ‘NTA’ without further explanation

Friend refuses to seek medical help for ADHD, causing burden.

Toxic friend uses fake ADHD as an excuse to be inconsiderate

Claiming ADHD without seeking diagnosis is not an excuse

Friend claims ADHD for attention, but it’s not an excuse.

Self-diagnosed friend with ADHD refuses to seek medical help. NTA’s advice.

Friend claims anxiety but won’t see a doctor. NTA snaps.

Recognizing and seeking help for ADHD is important. NTA.

Don’t trivialize mental health conditions, NTA comment agrees.

Self-diagnosing ADHD is not enough. Seeking professional help is important. NTA.

Doubts raised on friend’s ADHD claim as an excuse
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Congrats on waiting 5 years for ADHD diagnosis. NTA.

Friend claims ADHD but refuses to see a doctor. NTA says commenter.

Self-diagnosing ADHD without seeking medical advice is not advisable. NTA.

Suspicions arise about friend’s motives for ADHD self-diagnosis
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ADHD impacting others but friend refuses to seek help

Self-diagnosing mental illnesses invalidates those who truly suffer. NTA.

Setting boundaries is not discriminatory, seeking professional care is important.
