Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Is ADHD self-diagnosis valid? According to clinical psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer, that’s the wrong question entirely. When access to diagnosis is limited by cost, insurance, stigma, and identity — and when the people who self-diagnose show higher rates of negative self-image and internalized stigma — the real conversation isn’t about validity. It’s about how we make sure people have access to good information.
Cate and Dr. Kilmer dig into what really happens when people research their own neurodivergence. They discuss research analyzing 452,000 Reddit posts that found self-diagnosed individuals seek more social validation. But they benefit less from it.
They cover what actually happens in a clinical ADHD assessment and how comorbidities like anxiety, depression, and OCD complicate the picture. And they discuss why the question “Is self-diagnosis valid?” misses the point when getting a formal diagnosis is a privilege that many can’t access.
For more on this topic
Read: Missed, misread, misdiagnosed: Current state of women with ADHD understood.org/en/research-and-surveys/missed-misread-misdiagnosed-current-state-of-women-with-adhd
Listen: Is ADHD online diagnosis legit? understood.org/en/podcasts/understood-explains-season-2/adhd-online-diagnosis
For a transcript and more resources, visit Sorry, I Missed This on Understood.org. understood.org/en/podcasts/sorry-i-missed-this/adhd-autism-self-diagnosis
You can also email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org.
Questions about learning and thinking differences? Get answers and expert-vetted resources by asking the AI-powered Understood Assistant:
understood.org/en/assistant?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=assistant-agn-prod&utm_content=video
Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/en/donate?sc=SIMT0725YTO&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=fundraising-agn-vid-sorryimissedthis&utm_content=video
For more resources, support, and excellent memes, subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on:
Instagram: instagram.com/understoodorg
Facebook: facebook.com/Understood
TikTok: tiktok.com/@understood.org
Pinterest: pinterest.com/understoodorg
#ADHD #Neurodivergent #MentalHealthTikTok #ADHDDiagnosis #AuDHD
Is ADHD self-diagnosis valid? According to clinical psychologist Dr. Elizabeth Kilmer, that’s the wrong question entirely. When access to diagnosis is limited by cost, insurance, stigma, and identity — and when the people who self-diagnose show higher rates of negative self-image and internalized stigma — the real conversation isn’t about validity. It’s about how we make sure people have access to good information.
Cate and Dr. Kilmer dig into what really happens when people research their own neurodivergence. They discuss research analyzing 452,000 Reddit posts that found self-diagnosed individuals seek more social validation. But they benefit less from it.
They cover what actually happens in a clinical ADHD assessment and how comorbidities like anxiety, depression, and OCD complicate the picture. And they discuss why the question “Is self-diagnosis valid?” misses the point when getting a formal diagnosis is a privilege that many can’t access.
For more on this topic
Read: Missed, misread, misdiagnosed: Current state of women with ADHD understood.org/en/research-and-surveys/missed-misread-misdiagnosed-current-state-of-women-with-adhd
Listen: Is ADHD online diagnosis legit? understood.org/en/podcasts/understood-explains-season-2/adhd-online-diagnosis
For a transcript and more resources, visit Sorry, I Missed This on Understood.org. understood.org/en/podcasts/sorry-i-missed-this/adhd-autism-self-diagnosis
You can also email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org.
Questions about learning and thinking differences? Get answers and expert-vetted resources by asking the AI-powered Understood Assistant:
understood.org/en/assistant?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=assistant-agn-prod&utm_content=video
Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/en/donate?sc=SIMT0725YTO&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=fundraising-agn-vid-sorryimissedthis&utm_content=video
For more resources, support, and excellent memes, subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on:
Instagram: instagram.com/understoodorg
Facebook: facebook.com/Understood
TikTok: tiktok.com/@understood.org
Pinterest: pinterest.com/understoodorg
#ADHD #Neurodivergent #MentalHealthTikTok #ADHDDiagnosis #AuDHD
