ADHD Chatter PodcastDoes ADHD get worse after diagnosis š¤ #adhd
Alex Partridge on why ADHD symptoms can feel worse after getting diagnosed.
In this episode of ADHD Chatter Podcast, featuring Alex Partridge and Alex Partridge, Does ADHD get worse after diagnosis š¤ #adhd explores why ADHD symptoms can feel worse after getting diagnosed Alex Partridge says itās common to feel like ADHD symptoms get worse right after diagnosis.
At a glance
WHAT ITāS REALLY ABOUT
Why ADHD symptoms can feel worse after getting diagnosed
- Alex Partridge says itās common to feel like ADHD symptoms get worse right after diagnosis.
- He attributes this to selective attention: once ADHD becomes salient, you notice related behaviors far more often.
- The diagnostic process itself increases symptom awareness because you must review and document areas of impairment and distress.
- He lists common ADHD difficulties (forgetfulness, disorganization, time management, impulsivity, restlessness) as examples people start monitoring more closely.
- The conclusion is that symptoms often havenāt objectively worsenedāyour awareness of them has increased.
IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING
5 ideasFeeling worse after diagnosis is a normal experience for many.
The video frames the post-diagnosis āspikeā in symptoms as a common perception rather than an unusual outcome.
Selective attention can make symptoms feel amplified.
Once ADHD is top-of-mind, you naturally scan for evidence of it, so lapses and struggles stand out more frequently.
The assessment process primes you to notice ADHD patterns.
To get diagnosed, you review and recount difficulties in detail, which increases salience and ongoing self-observation afterward.
Perceived worsening isnāt the same as actual worsening.
Alex suggests the behaviors likely existed at similar levels before, but you now label and detect them more readily.
Common daily-life issues become ātracking targetsā after diagnosis.
Examples like losing keys, forgetting, over-talking, impulsivity, and time management problems can feel newly frequent once youāre attuned to them.
WORDS WORTH SAVING
4 quotesI've been diagnosed with ADHD, and I swear as soon as I did, my symptoms got worse. Is this normal?
ā Alex Partridge
Yes, it is, and it's to do with selective attention, that when we suddenly become aware of something...
ā Alex Partridge
Your awareness has just shot up.
ā Alex Partridge
So yeah, and it feels like it's got worse. I don't think necessarily it has got worse. It's just that you're much more aware
ā Alex Partridge
QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS EPISODE
5 questionsHow can someone tell whether their symptoms truly worsened versus theyāre just noticing them more post-diagnosis?
Alex Partridge says itās common to feel like ADHD symptoms get worse right after diagnosis.
What are practical ways to track ADHD symptoms objectively (e.g., journaling, ratings, external feedback) after diagnosis?
He attributes this to selective attention: once ADHD becomes salient, you notice related behaviors far more often.
Does increased awareness ever lead to genuine short-term impairment (e.g., stress, reduced confidence), even if symptoms are unchanged?
The diagnostic process itself increases symptom awareness because you must review and document areas of impairment and distress.
Which ADHD symptoms are most likely to feel newly āworseā due to salienceātime blindness, forgetfulness, impulsivity, or something else?
He lists common ADHD difficulties (forgetfulness, disorganization, time management, impulsivity, restlessness) as examples people start monitoring more closely.
How should clinicians prepare clients for the post-diagnosis āsalience effectā so it doesnāt feel alarming?
The conclusion is that symptoms often havenāt objectively worsenedāyour awareness of them has increased.
Chapter Breakdown
Post-diagnosis symptom spike: āDid my ADHD get worse?ā
Alex raises a common experience: after receiving an ADHD diagnosis, it can feel like symptoms suddenly intensify. The chapter frames the question and sets up why this perception happens.
Why itās normal: selective attention and increased awareness
He explains that the perceived worsening is often driven by selective attentionāonce something is on your radar, you notice it more. Diagnosis makes ADHD-related behaviors more salient, so they stand out in daily life.
The diagnostic process amplifies focus on difficulties
To get diagnosed, you typically spend time reviewing and documenting problem areas with a professional. That structured reflection naturally heightens awareness of challenges you may have previously overlooked or minimized.
Common ADHD struggles you recount during assessment
Alex lists typical issues people recognize and report during diagnosis, spanning forgetfulness, disorganization, and time management. Naming them explicitly can make them feel more frequent afterward.
Attention and regulation challenges: listening, restlessness, and fidgeting
He highlights challenges related to attention control and physical restlessness, such as difficulty listening and feeling fidgety. Post-diagnosis, these behaviors can become easier to spot moment-to-moment.
Impulsivity and communication patterns become more noticeable
Alex mentions over-talking, impulsivity, and impatience as common ADHD experiences. Once you have the label and understanding, you may catch these patterns more often in real time.
The conclusion: it may not be worseājust more visible
He wraps up by reassuring that symptoms likely havenāt objectively worsened. Instead, heightened awareness makes them feel bigger because youāre tracking and noticing them more than before.
EVERY SPOKEN WORD
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