Is it common for recently-diagnosed ADDers to question or doubt the accuracy of the diagnosis? I realize that the majority, if not all, of the symptoms are present -- both at school and at home/work -- even before adulthood, but is the nagging feeling that maybe, "I'm just lazy and unmotivated" normal?

I also feel that things probably are not going to change despite the medication. I'm sure this is normal too, or perhaps just my typical catastrophizing.

Is it common for recently-diagnosed ADDers to question or doubt the accuracy of the diagnosis?
I can't speak for others, but I certainlly questioned and doubted the accuracy of my diagnosis periodically during the first few years.

As time went on though it became glaringly obvious to me that there was absolutely no doubt that I had been properly diagnosed.

Not for me.

It was actually more of a relief because I knew something about me was different but could never put my finger on it.

I did not mean to imply that I do not consider myself to have the disorder, I completely agree with the diagnosis; the difference in how I feel and function on the medicine and when it wears off is like night and day. I had absolutely no idea how terrible I felt and messed up I was until I experienced being normal.

I guess really it is more of the naysayers getting to me, or the repressed fear that the medication is not goin to work and I will continue to struggle through school.

I have absolutely no choice but to demonstrate improvement after beginning the treatment to even have the hope of either passing or being granted an exception to policy and allowed to continue in the program. With how often I have experienced a non-correlation between effort and outcome, I guess I am hesitant to extoll the virtues of successful treatment. The persistant fear that, somehow, my increased efforts won't pay off continues to nag at me.

The bottom line is, if you have adhd, you have it, period.

I mean, that the meds won't make the adhd go away, they just make some of the symptoms go away or improve them to some extent. Research does show that proper medication DOES improve the symptoms significantly, but plan on still having ADHD no matter what treatment you seek.

Myself, I have learned to take my gains where I find them. Some things the meds help with a lot for me... like hyperactivity... For attention , I do okay when on meds, but its not as good as I wish It were. I gladly live with the shortcomings and greatefully accept the improvements. That is, it is not perfect, but it is tons better than without the meds.

Oh and as a side note... research has also shown that about 20% of those with ADHD will get no benefit from medication. There are a few people around for whom no medication works. Fortunately, each individual is a little different, and there is a big variety of medication available. If one med does not work for you, there is a good chance that anoher one might.

Me :D

Yes I think it's perfectly natural to have some doubt. The symptoms don't really seem like qualities that are distinct to a specific group of people. And for us inattentive types, it's kind of hard to wrap our brains around the 'hyperactive' part, since we've all been accustomed to assume that hyperactive means physically.

But when the so called 'common' such as procrastination starts to have significant effects in your life (loosing jobs, broken relationships, failed classes) than you have to wonder.

I know that all my life I felt that I struggled much harder than everyone around me to produce very minimal results. I used to pray for a learning disability because I felt like I wasn't 'getting' it.

I guess what I'm trying to say that doubt is alright. Acceptance doesn't necessarily come with the diagnosis. I think acceptance for me came in bits, like when I saw how differently my focus and attention were when I was on my medication vs. when I wasn't.

I've noticed a HUGE difference after taking my meds, even though the dosing may not be correct yet. When I come off the meds, which unfortunately is only 3-4 hours after taking them, I feel absolutely terrible. I'm sure a little bit is just the "crash" of the meds wearing off, but I bet a lot is just how I normally feel.

I never realized how terrible I felt and how worthless I was (productively speaking) until I experienced this difference.

Which is why your Executive Function and Working Memory and Auditory Processing, etc. should be tested. :)

Which is why your Executive Function and Working Memory and Auditory Processing, etc. should be tested. :)Well, like I said before, I have no doubt the dx is accurate. The symptoms/patterns fit. It explains everything about me.

I thought about the neuropsych test, but it would cost me like $1000 and, to be honest, the outcome is going to be the same -- some type of stimulant medications.

I seem to have a pretty good idea of my abilities with auditory processing (I have basically none. People can tell me things all day long and it will never stick, but put it on a piece of paper and I got it instantly). Don't know about the other two.

I am getting the feeling, however, that my school is going to require the neuropsych test before they take the diagnosis seriously, which I think is pretty stupid. The test is not specifically diagnostic.

The test is not specifically diagnostic.

Although I am not a big fan of the neuropsych testing it may help rule out other possible problems sense ADD is often accompanied by other conditions. However I understand the lack of funding a $1000.00 is pretty steep.

Is it common for recently-diagnosed ADDers to question or doubt the accuracy of the diagnosis? I realize that the majority, if not all, of the symptoms are present -- both at school and at home/work -- even before adulthood, but is the nagging feeling that maybe, "I'm just lazy and unmotivated" normal?

I also feel that things probably are not going to change despite the medication. I'm sure this is normal too, or perhaps just my typical catastrophizing.it seems to be a common feeling :-)
you are not alone there...

It goes with the scheme of things
anger
doubt
grief
acceptance..or something like that :p

I have doubted both of my diagnoses, bipolar and adhd many times in my life, and I did that based on how old I was when I was diagnosed. I was diagnosed as a kid and it had to do with a lot of bad behavior, so there are times that I just told myself that I was a brat and was put on meds for that reason, which in some cases in my childhood is true but it doesn't mean I am not mentally ill, and I have to remind myself sometimes to not think that way