How can you tell ADHD from Autism? Al... - CHADD's Adult ADH...

CHADD's Adult ADHD Support

25,130 members6,185 posts

How can you tell ADHD from Autism? Also Moody a lot.

Codebox42 profile image
4 Replies

I often ask this question to myself, but what are the differences and similarities between ADHD and Austism? I often feels as if I have Autistic symptoms, but I'm not diagnosed with any sort of autism. So I wanna know is it just because my ADHD is more severe that I have problems such as easily angered, social stuttering, frequent lost in thoughts, uncoordinated, repetitive routines, constant thoughts going on in my mind at once etc?

I also get pretty moody at times. Where it feels as if one day I wake up depressed and sad while lost in thoughts about a lot of things or the general feeling of feeling lonely with nobody I can relate to. Or a tendency to get bored easily unless I have something always occupying my time. How worse off exactly does it get if untreated? Does anybody ever get these types of thoughts or feelings? And is it me or is it hard to sleep sometimes? How does ADHD effect one from an Intelligence point of view? I feel as if I'm not as adept at things related to general knowledge. Well that's just how I feel! Though this is more lack of experience, than a general not understanding.

Written by
Codebox42 profile image
Codebox42
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
4 Replies

Hi Codebox45. You might have both. Sometimes ADHD people have autism spectrum disorder. You should probably get evaluated by a psychiatrist. It’s very hard to evaluate these things ourselves or other people that we don’t know.

Codebox42 profile image
Codebox42 in reply to

I was afraid of that. I was certainly hoping that I didn't have Autism. But if so, I hope there are ways I can better manage it. I really do need to see one, I've been thinking this way for a long while, but my family thinks that I don't when I feel like I do. It could be a case of ADHD getting worse as an adult, but I wouldn't be shocked if there were any signs of autism there too.

Pogo75 profile image
Pogo75

We have a relative who is ADHD and is on the autism spectrum. Ellapony’s advice is smack on. Don’t delay. Medication that can address both issues is trickier than just addressing one or the other.

Hey Codebox42,

I'd look in to some medication that is geared toward Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). It is a symptom of ADHD and comes with a lot of others symptoms itself. I have ADHD and mostly suffer from RSD. I was misdiagnosed with Cylcothymic disorder. Eventually I found a podcast that described me perfectly, one on ADHD/RSD. I took some time to read through some of your more recent posts and old posts. I feel like you might be experiencing Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD).

Feel free to ask me some questions. Best to research it your self and find some podcast that will help you understand it before you say "no I don't have it". Dr. William Dodson describes it best in his podcast found at additudemag.com

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Can feelings also be related to ADHD?

Hello. I'm a 50 years old man and I don't really know if I have ADHD or not, although lately I've...
Luiso profile image

How do you approach managing your ADHD?

After being diagnosed a little over two months ago, and trying to figure out how to manage it,...
Old_Owl profile image

How do you really know you are adhd when soooo many things can look like it?

2 different experts said I am / am not, as one said I scored 4/9 and the other 5/9 . You're...
emiL1234 profile image

A simple ADHD life lesson from solitaire

As a 50-year-old man who's only known about my ADHD for about three years, I'm still discovering...
mmcaulay profile image

Who am I? ADHD or Myself

I feel so alone when I talk about ADHD I let it become my identity. I was no longer Steph the...
Steph1232 profile image

Moderation team

See all
JamiHIS profile image
JamiHISAdministrator
zlib profile image
zlibPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.