People doubt me when I say I have ADD

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It seems whenever I get into a conversation about ADHD or some other thing people always say the same thing to me. "Oh really? I would never have figured you to have something like that at all. You're so calm and easy going bla bla bla etc. ;p " Anyway, I explain to them that ADHD is a spectrum disorder and I have the inattentive version of it where I'm not very hyper but still have issues with remembering things and often daydream when I ought to be paying attention. They still have their doubts and I'm wondering if anyone has experienced this too.

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It's funny: My mother insists I don't have autism--but that I have a "touch of Asperger's." She's a psychoanalyst.

I had frank Kanner's autism until about the age of 5 1/2. Then I reverted to Asperger's as far as symptoms were concerned.

I'm also, probably, ADHD of the Inattentive Type. I forget things. I daydream. I could get "hyper" at times, though.

a lot of ignorant people hold the belief that ADHD does not exist, they'd probably say what they said to you to anybody

Hmm yeah, I've heard that before that the person with ADHD is just lazy or has no self control if it's a kid then they are badly disciplined but what they don't realise is no matter how much you say to a person with ADHD to stop fidgeting or like in my case "look at me when I'm talking to you" they really can't help it. For me eye contact is fine but the trouble is maintaining it because I'm aware of all the other things around me and want to look at those too.

I suppose it'll happen that lay people won't believe you have ADHD if you don't seem hyperactive. I gather the most you need in that respect is an active mind.

ADHD is a controversial ailment, though its existence (or the existence of something very like it) isn't often doubted.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention ... troversies

One thing I agree with is that there are definitely people who can't (rather than won't) pay attention under certain circumstances. I'm one of them. The unfortunate thing is that it's invisible to others, so it's natural that they could be suspicious. Society is rather competitive and the last thing competitors want is for individuals to be able to have invisible disabilities accepted and adjustments made. Much like ASD. It seems that the only acceptable proof is a note from the Great and Good for many people, and even then, they may dismiss it as psychobabble.

Frankly I don't usually tell people that I have trouble with my attention. In an ideal world I should, and I do if the person is likely to believe me, but otherwise I just hide it as best I can. It sucks.