If you’ve met scepticism after an ADHD diagnosis, you’re not alone. Doubt is common—but it often overlooks both the evidence and the lived reality.

What drives the scepticism?

1) “Isn’t ADHD just for kids?”
Many people were taught ADHD is a childhood condition you “grow out of.” In reality, lots of adults still meet criteria—or discover only in adulthood that their lifelong patterns have a name.

2) Masking and compensating
Adults—especially women and AFAB folks—often learn to over-prepare, overwork, and hide struggles. From the outside, they look “fine,” so difficulties are dismissed as personality quirks or stress.

3) Symptom overlap
ADHD can look like anxiety, depression, burnout, or trauma responses. When the focus is only on mood, the attentional and executive function pieces get missed.

4) Media myths & social media noise
Soundbites like “everyone’s a bit ADHD” trivialise a neurodevelopmental condition. At the same time, online content can blur the line between education and quick self-diagnosis, which fuels doubt.

5) Inconsistent experiences in healthcare
Short appointments, long waits, and variable clinician training mean some people feel unheard—or worse, invalidated. A bad experience with one professional can colour how others perceive ADHD, too.

6) The ‘overdiagnosis’ worry
Public conversations sometimes frame rising adult diagnoses as a trend. This narrative is fuelled by books such as ‘The Age of Diagnosis: How the Overdiagnosis Epidemic is Making Us Sick’ by Suzanne O’Sullivan. Another view: we’re finally recognising lifelong patterns in groups historically overlooked.

What the assessment actually looks for (in plain English)

A good adult ADHD assessment doesn’t hinge on one quiz or one rough day at work. It pieces together a history of patterns (often since childhood), current impact in several areas of life (home, work/study, relationships), and rule-outs (e.g., sleep, medical, mood). Ideally, it includes clinical interview(s), questionnaires, where possible collateral history, and a clear formulation. The goal isn’t to label everyone—it’s to understand why things are hard and what support will help.

Why scepticism hurts

• Delay: People wait years to seek help or feel they must “prove” they’re struggling.

• Shame: “Maybe I’m lazy,” “Maybe it’s my fault.” Shame drains energy that could go into change.

• Missed support: Without clarity, you’re less likely to access helpful options—be that medication review, practical strategies, or adjustments at work or college.

If you’re newly diagnosed (or wondering) and feeling lost

Here’s a simple, low-overwhelm way to move forward:

1) Clarify needs before making big decisions
Give yourself one focused hour to map:

• What’s working? What isn’t?

• Where are the daily bottlenecks (time, planning, emotions, sleep)?

• What support have you tried—and what helped, even a little?

If you’d like help with this, I offer a one-off consultations (online or Dublin in-person) to create a short, practical next-steps plan.

2) Consider medical options—on your terms
If you’re curious about medication or a second opinion, a structured summary can make GP or psychiatry appointments more productive (key difficulties, goals, any side-effects concerns). You don’t have to decide everything now; just gather good information.

3) Build everyday supports
Small, boring changes beat heroic efforts:

• externalise (lists, whiteboards, shared calendars),

• reduce friction (one “landing zone” for keys/bag/charger),

• time-protect hard tasks (short, timed sprints + gentle alarms),

• prioritise sleep and consistent meals (brain fuel matters).

• incorporate exercise into your routine - enhances focus, mood, and executive function by boosting neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which are often deficient in ADHDers.

4) Choose ADHD-informed therapy or coaching
Therapy isn’t about “trying harder.” It’s about shame reduction, emotion regulation, and practical executive-function work.

5) Tell one supportive person
Share your plan with someone safe. Being believed and accompanied makes everything easier.

Talking to a sceptical GP or loved one (scripts you can use)

• “I’m not looking for a label for everything. I’m trying to understand long-term patterns that impact work and home, and what supports will help.”

• “I’ve brought a one-page summary of the difficulties and my goals—could we look at next steps together?”

• “I’m open to different options. I’d value your advice on referrals and what evidence-based supports are available.”

How this looks in Ireland

Pathways vary, and wait times can be long. Some people pursue private assessments, others seek a medication review after an existing diagnosis, and many do both therapy and practical supports alongside or instead of medication. If you choose private, check the assessor’s qualifications and what the report will (and won’t) cover—especially if you’re hoping to discuss medication later.

When scepticism is a signal (and when it’s a block)

Healthy questions are useful: What evidence supports this? What else could explain it? That’s good clinical thinking. But when scepticism becomes dismissal—“It can’t be ADHD because you’re successful / female / organised sometimes”—it blocks care. The reality for many adults is both-and: competent in some areas, struggling painfully in others.

The bottom line

Adult ADHD isn’t a fad. It’s one way a brain can be wired—often bringing creativity, hyperfocus, energy, and compassion alongside real challenges with planning, time, and regulation. If you’re feeling unsure after a new diagnosis—or unsure whether ADHD fits—clarity comes from curious, structured exploration, not from arguing your worth.

Ready to take a first step?

• Book a one-off Clarification Session (online or in Dublin) to map your needs and next steps: Fiáin Cousnelling Dublin — Fián Counselling Dublin

• Learn more about ADHD Therapy for Adults in Dublin & Online.

• Check Fees & Availability (€120 per session with me; reduced student slots limited).

I’m a doctorate-qualified Counselling Psychologist with 13+ years’ experience, with a particular interest in ADHD and autism. Sessions available online (Ireland-wide) and in person in Ballsbridge/Rathgar, Dublin.