Hey, so I’m waiting to get assessed for ADHD, but I’ve been stuck in this weird loop of wondering if I’m actually dealing with ADHD or if I’m just lazy. My parents are convinced I just don’t try hard enough, and that if I get diagnosed I’ll just “use it as an excuse,” which honestly sucks to hear.
Here’s the thing though:
I attend a good university and study Engineering which took very hard work but at great struggle. Everything I did was last minute including homework, but I always ensured I completed every piece of homework.
I cannot do coursework unless it’s the last possible day. Like, I really want to start it weeks im advance but I just find it impossible to start until there’s real pressure. But I’ve never missed a deadline, and my work almost always gets good marks
My room gets messy fast, and even though it stresses me out and I really want to keep it clean, I just can’t seem to clean it unless I absolutely have to. Like if someone’s visiting or there’s a room inspection, suddenly I’m a cleaning machine.
I always want to do things earlier or keep my space tidy but it’s like I just… can’t. Until there’s a consequence or external pressure such as deadlines.
Another thing was attending gym. Before moving to uni, I consistently went to the gym with a friend for over a year. They got injured and couldn’t continue attending the gym. Although I really wanted to stay in the gym, I just found it impossible to go consistently on my own and since moving far away from home on my own, I’ve just found it impossible to attend the gym for more than a week consistently even though I really want to.
So my question is, how do you differenciate laziness from ADHD traits? Do I seem lazy or does it sound like something else. Another thing I fear is that even if I do eventually end up getting diagnosed with ADHD, my parents would still just think I’m lazy as they seem completely I ignorant to ADHD based on comments they’ve made.
reddit.comADHD vs Laziness, how do you differnciate between the two?
when does relaxing become laziness
What do I feel too much of? Need to depend on technology. Not using my critical thinking skills. Frustration. Day by day I keep promising my self something and never follow through with it to completion because I resort to my pleasures which is the opportunity from the internet ! What do I feel too little of? Social connection. Pleasure to feel joy
... See moreA wandering mind. You’ll get frequent comments from teachers, or, in an adult, supervisors or spouse, that the individual’s mind wanders, that he or she has trouble focusing and staying on task, that performance is inconsistent, good days and bad days, good moments and terrible ones, all of which usually lead the teacher, supervisor, or spouse to c
... See moreEdward M. Hallowell, John J. Ratey • ADHD 2.0
Often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).
John J. Ratey • ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction - from Childhood through Adulthood
What compounds these problems, and makes some people doubt the validity of the diagnosis, is that these same people can hyperfocus, deliver a brilliant presentation on time, and be super-reliable when they are stimulated. But, as we’ve said, boredom is kryptonite; the ADHD mind recoils from boredom, disappearing into a fervent search for stimulatio
... See more