ADHD is not a 'trendy' disorder

The 'trendy disorder' of the day is spreading ignorance on social media

"Nowadays, a person is either autistic or has ADHD. In my time, the trend was bipolar disorder, and several friends were wrongly diagnosed. It seems like there's always a fashionable disease."

This is a message I received today from a follower, and I would like to invite everyone to help me respond to him. He follows the alliance on Threads, but it seems that he doesn't fully understand the challenges, pain, and suffering we frequently share and discuss there.

To start, none of what this person mentioned are 'diseases.' It's also not a joke, not an adjective, it doesn't limit intelligence, it's not contagious, it's not visible on the face, it’s not caused by video games, and it's not a trend.

Secondly, the 'trendy disorder', if any, should be commenting on relevant topics on the internet without any foundation. And we are not talking about psychological disorders, but of matters related to the character and standards of acceptable behavior. It's all likely because he doesn't feel anything related. If he did, he wouldn't say such nonsense.

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To be true and less emotional, remember that it's a sad reality that many people simply don't care. But if we can raise awareness as much as possible, show reality, and touch the hearts of those few who want to care and help, that's already a great advance. The more people are informed about ADHD and autism, the better.

But first, we need to change our mentality as a society. Unfortunately, many only develop empathy when they experience situations firsthand. As long as we depend on awareness driven by the will to help and put ourselves in others' shoes, we will still face much resistance.

People usually don't effectively care about others' pain. Those who do care are rare. The notion of empathy has become so obsolete nowadays. Much less current than spreading ignorance on social media.

Empathy is more than putting yourself in someone else's shoes. Empathy is, first, recognizing that you are not in the other person's place, therefore, having the awareness that everything you assume about someone else's life is merely your assumption.

Empathy is supporting others' processes, not outlining the present and future of other lives from one's limited perspective, which ultimately leads to judgment.

Going back to the person who made the statement above, who probably isn’t part of the neurodivergent community, or is facing difficulties accepting himself. Buddy, you can still learn out of curiosity to be able to help others. Just seek to learn, delve a little deeper. Studying is a delight and eliminates ignorance about any subject, opens our mind, and consequently helps create a more inclusive world.

Please remember, no one's diagnosis affects your life. Behind someone with ADHD and autism, there is a lot of suffering, a lot of effort, and a lot of frustration. Please seek help and take care of yourself!