After a team of mental health specialists gave me my adult ADHD diagnosis, my eyes were opened, and I finally had some answers about the invisible beast I'd been battling for most of my 35 years. What a godsend my diagnosis was. And it's right on, as many who know me could tell you.

So when I discovered "ADHD Does Not Exist," a controversial book written by Dr. Richard Saul, I felt angry right away, wondering if this guy was some renegade just hell-bent on trying to make a name for himself. I got my hands on a copy and read through it quickly, eager to read his claims. What I found was an honest effort to get people's attention and steer them to the reality that many with ADHD are incorrectly diagnosed, and I couldn't help but agree, at least partly.

But then Dr. Saul took it too far, saying that he doesn't believe ADHD exists because there isn't proof of an underlying cause. "WHAT?!" I thought to myself, shocked by such a broad-stroke declaration. Saul goes on to list sixteen areas that must be the "real" causes of ADHD symptoms.

Before I go any deeper into my thoughts on the book, I want to clearly state that I give Saul credit and respect for his vast experience in the field of psychiatry. However, I found that I didn't fit within any of his explanations of the "actual" underlying causes of my adult ADHD symptoms. I've had numerous mental health professionals assess, test, and question me, and frankly, for anyone to make such an extreme claim about me and my condition without knowing my personal experience is preposterous. I applaud the detail and thoroughness in his argument, but I simply disagree.

Misdiagnosis Is Very Common With Adult ADHD

"The symptoms of ADHD are better explained by other conditions. In other words, ADHD, as we know it, does not exist," Saul writes.

I do support Saul's stance on the massive number of misdiagnoses taking place, especially in today's fast-paced world. Doctors simply don't have enough time to devote to thorough testing, interviews, and background questionnaires. Many physicians also don't know enough, or think they know more than they actually do, about a proper ADHD diagnosis. Only a trained specialist can give someone an accurate diagnosis. There are a lot of adults walking around who are misdiagnosed, as Saul repeatedly writes, and I agree. Awareness of misdiagnoses is an important thing, but Saul takes a massive leap using that information that doesn't help anyone who suffers with this condition.

So what if ADHD symptoms are "better" explained by other conditions, Dr. Saul? You're in the realm of science here, so having a closed mind is dangerous for all of us. To go so far as to claim that ADHD doesn't exist is in my mind ludicrous, at least without more proof than just that it's frequently misdiagnosed. Yes, a lot of conditions present ADHD-like symptoms, and there are many co-occurring conditions, but people should be careful about taking extreme positions, especially without actually having experienced ADHD personally. One hour in my mind and you'd know exactly what I mean. Misdiagnoses doesn't equal total illegitimacy.

Other Conditions Don't Explain Away Every ADHD Symptom

The cause of ADHD has not been pinned down. We just aren't there yet. So I don't have solid proof that ADHD does exist, but Dr. Saul doesn't have solid proof that ADHD doesn't exist, either. What we do have proof of is that ADHD symptoms are very real. That's the most important point to all this: ADHD symptoms do exist! They are viciously real, and that's the bottom line. Whether the condition is called ADHD or Illness No. 583, the symptoms and daily struggles of those who have to manage those symptoms are what make the condition real.

All I ask for is the truth about this intense struggle that those of us with the condition face. Everyone will have their own opinions, but qualifying another person's experience as nonexistent without more information is wrong. Please - I nearly hung myself in 2011 after these ADHD symptoms drove my life into the ground through self-sabotage and unstoppable, racing thoughts. I just couldn't stop messing my life up. My mental "engine" kept revving up, worrying, plotting and pursuing my innermost dreams without focusing on the here and now. Yes, anxiety is a very common co-existing condition with adult ADHD. But no, it doesn't explain all my other ADHD symptoms on its own. Neither does depression, nor learning disabilities, nor autism. No, there's much more to it.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The key is to keep an open mind. I can't stress that enough. I'm definitely happy to shut my mouth and agree with Dr. Saul the moment actual indisputable proof comes out that ADHD is a fallacy. Until then, I'm going to continue raising adult ADHD awareness worldwide. When it comes to the suffering we're going through, there's no point in staying quiet. Please help spread the word however you can. It's 2014, and it's time to step up. We're all together in this.

Thank you.