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ADHD, autism or complex trauma? [pdf]

228 points · 265 comments · skeptical1884

  1. jghn · · focus · HN ↗
    > A diagnosis of ADHD or autism in adulthood often leads to incredible relief and grief in processing all the moments of being blamed and shamed for what was assumed to be a lack of effort, laziness and/or defiance.

    I never understood this sentiment. It's just who I am and always have been. And I learned to deal with the circumstances. I don't understand why it makes people feel better to have a diagnosis they can blame.

    Perhaps it's a generational thing? I know as a manager it's pretty common for reports to cite them having ADHD as why they can't do this or that. Meanwhile I mentally roll my eyes thinking, "no shit, me too, but I manage to get this done"

    1. richardlblair · · focus · HN ↗
      Think of growing up feeling inadequate. Even in the eyes of your parents. Then learning that you don't suck and were completely undeserving of being mistreated as a child.

      (No child is deserving of being mistreated but that's a whole other bag of worms)

      1. jitix · · focus · HN ↗
        100%. And this has been repeated generation after generation. Its just that in the past 50 years we have started caring and being kind towards ourselves and it has shown tangible results in the progress of human civilization as a whole.

        But some regions/cultures are lagging (but catching up fast) as per my experience living in 5 states across 3 countries spanning two very different continents.

        1. barbazoo · · focus · HN ↗
          What about before? When and why did we stop caring I wonder.
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