In reference to the awful /r/ADHD subreddit which is the most anti-ADHD place online I have ever seen I would like to know if this place will follow their horrible example or actually allow neurodivergent people with ADHD to consider it a home?
Based on this from the sidebar it seems positive and I look forward to interacting with you all.
"Encouraged:
Funny memes. Welcoming and accepting attitudes. Questions on confusing situations. Seeking and sharing support. Engagement in our values."
Yep the subreddit was so depressing all the time, and they also hated the term “neurodivergent” which I mean I don’t know, let people identify the way they want to? I like queer for me in terms of my sexuality, but some don’t like it, I don’t like it/its as a pronoun, but I’m not gonna stop someone identifying that way.
And it’s not like subs can’t be a place to vent, because hey, sometimes ADHD does suck. But also the fact that it was constant depressive posts, or “my doctor doesn’t believe in ADHD” or “my relative is stealing my meds”. And it’s just like… yeah so depressing. And like I see ADHD as a disability, because it is, but yeah… it’s just… a sub to be helpful for those with ADHD, sure fuckin’ hates those with ADHD.
Yeah it’s not like I’d want people to feel bad for having negative feelings about their ADHD, but it might be more helpful to channel those feelings to a more positive change rather than wallowing in it. Had the sub been named r/ADHDvent I don’t think people would’ve been so annoyed but I’ve heard it was difficult to post anything positive as it would get deleted under the rule of “no toxic positivity”.
ADHD is such a personal thing as well it should be up to the individual to define their feelings on it. Currently I don’t like to consider mine a disability mostly due to feelings of being an imposter and having one therapist suggest it may be more of a trauma related thing, but I think that should be my right to define how I feel about my ADHD and how it affects my life since it’s a question of my experiences. For someone else it will affect them a lot more and they’ll struggle a lot more.
Yeah I think if there was a venting place it wouldn’t be so bad. And again, like not saying that ADHD is all sunshine and rainbows. But iunno dude, I just want to see how people make their ADHD work for them, or what apps they use, or whatever.
Like yes toxic positivity is a real issue, but there’s a difference between “hey I finally made my bed!” And toxic positivity. Then there’s also my own gripes of it being too American for me, but that’s mostly because my local ADHD sub was pretty dead tbh.
Yeah and in fairness it can be easier to find something to complain about than come up with positive or even neutral topics but I found most interesting conversations to be about small things I didn’t think could be linked to ADHD.
Also that’s true, if it’s all Americans it’s hard to find out what it’s like to get a diagnosis in another country or what meds are being prescribed etc.
I found that subreddit really depressing too, so I only occasionally popped in and out. In theory, an online support group is great, but compared to an in-person (or structured online) support group (discussion led by moderator, meets maybe once a week, etc), it was just too heavy to read daily. I honestly don’t know how you make it better, though, especially once a sub grows reaches a certain size.
