There was a time, shortly after my initial diagnosis, when I loved talking about having ADHD. Tweeting jokes, swapping stories, and shouting into the void helped me make sense of my experiences and connect with others who could relate—which I needed after such a surprising ADHD diagnosis in my late 20s.
But, soon enough, I realized that opening up about my shiny new condition wasn't all fun and games. Turns out, people still had plenty of misconceptions and myths about ADHD, including who it impacts, what it looks like, and how it should be treated. And boy, did they love to yap about it. From well-meaning questions from friends to dismissive comments from family, it seemed like everyone had an opinion not just about my ADHD, but ADHD in general. So, after a while, I stopped mentioning it. It was just easier that way.
Don't get me wrong—there's nothing wrong with getting curious and chatting with someone about their ADHD. Understanding and appreciating the unique challenges faced by people with ADHD can foster a supportive environment and deepen your relationship. But you don't want to accidentally invalidate, dismiss, or hurt your loved one along the way.
To help you avoid becoming someone who makes people like me dread uttering the words, "I have ADHD" in mixed company, I asked people with ADHD to share the common phrases that get under their skin. Consider striking these offenders from your conversations from now on:
1. "I totally get it—I can never focus either!"
You might mean well when you jump to yell "Same!" to someone's experience—and you don't need ADHD yourself to relate on some level. "A lot of ADHD symptoms are common human difficulties too," says ADHD coach Dorsey McFadden. Plenty of people occasionally struggle to concentrate, get distracted, or act impulsively—but that's not the same as having a disorder that impairs your ability to function.
That said, if someone's ADHD symptoms sound a little too familiar, it can't hurt to talk to a doctor yourself. In McFadden's experience, recognizing yourself in someone else's experience is a common first step toward your own diagnosis.
Keep reading for 8 more things to avoid saying to someone with ADHD.
Nema komentara:
Objavi komentar