Let us take a step back
Let us look at the reality behind these diagnoses. ADHD and autism are not clearly delimited illnesses, but classifications within the DSM, a handbook for psychiatric conditions. These classifications are based on a set of criteria, but the combinations and the ways they show themselves can vary enormously. That makes every diagnosis unique and personal.
Placing people in boxes on the basis of a set of symptoms
The danger lies in the temptation to place ourselves or others in boxes on the basis of a set of symptoms. Online tests that claim to be able to ‘diagnose’ ADHD or autism often look only at superficial signs and symptoms. They take no account of the complexity of an individual, nor of the context of their life. This can lead to a hasty, inaccurate diagnosis that does more harm than good.
And these tests certainly do no better than an ordinary clinical assessment by an experienced mental health professional who has worked a lot with the group concerned and who has access to information from the person’s family and friends.
Commercialisation of these diagnoses
The commercialisation of these diagnoses has also led to an industry that quickly sticks on labels and prescribes medication, without seeing the person as a whole. Above all in adults and in women with ADHD we see a worrying trend in which diagnoses become a commercial product as well as a medical one.
What is the right approach?
It is crucial to see the person as a whole, in the context of their daily life. It is not only about whether someone meets a set of criteria, but about how these characteristics affect their functioning at home, at work or at school. Does the way someone concentrates, follows routines or shows flexibility fit their way of living? Or does it lead to problems?
A holistic view of mental health
We should take a more holistic view of mental health and stop staring blindly at test results. It is time to acknowledge the complexity of the human being and the nuances of personal experiences. Let us be careful with labels and focus on understanding and supporting each other.
So the next time you see a test that promises to reveal whether you have ADHD or autism, remember that you are more than a diagnosis. You are a complex, dynamic individual, whose worth is not determined by a checklist.
Prof. dr. Jim van Os, Chair Division Neuroscience, Utrecht University Medical Centre. Jim works at the interface of ‘hard’ brain science, health services research, art and subjective experiences of people with ‘lived experience’ in mental healthcare.
Jim has been appearing on the Thomson-Reuter Web of Science list of ‘most influential scientific minds of our time’ since 2014. In 2014 he published his book ‘Beyond DSM-5‘, and in 2016 the book ‘Good Mental Health Care’. In 2026 he published 'Wat psychisch lijden is'.
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Blogs by Jim van Os can be read here
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