I understand why you're asking. I have often felt that way myself and it's why I put off getting treatment for so long. I was worried I would just end up being some 30 year old tech dude addicted to adderall who didn't actually need it. I want to address those questions in others since getting a diagnosis was so helpful for me. I want to educate around it.
The short answer is that I was diagnosed independently by 2 professionals, I have a family history of ADHD, and I exhibit all of the symptoms of ADHD.
Anecdotally, I know what stimulant abuse looks like. I have seen friends abuse adderall and other stimulants. I react totally different to it than they do.
Since starting: I'm less angry. I'm less annoyed. I have the ability to listen to my spouse talk to me. I'm not jittery or jumpy any more. I am not always singing, tapping, humming, talking over people, talking at yelling volume in normal conversations. I know when to stop talking. I can actually take naps now and go to sleep before my body almost literally shuts down like I used to not be able to.
I'd be happy to give you or anyone else a more in depth walk through how I got here and how I'm sure of what I have, but I understand that's not what you asked for.
The short answer is that I was diagnosed independently by 2 professionals, I have a family history of ADHD, and I exhibit all of the symptoms of ADHD.
Anecdotally, I know what stimulant abuse looks like. I have seen friends abuse adderall and other stimulants. I react totally different to it than they do.
Since starting: I'm less angry. I'm less annoyed. I have the ability to listen to my spouse talk to me. I'm not jittery or jumpy any more. I am not always singing, tapping, humming, talking over people, talking at yelling volume in normal conversations. I know when to stop talking. I can actually take naps now and go to sleep before my body almost literally shuts down like I used to not be able to.
I'd be happy to give you or anyone else a more in depth walk through how I got here and how I'm sure of what I have, but I understand that's not what you asked for.