Oof. Get ready, because this is a doozy.

It’s incredibly frustrating to see comments on someone expressing their struggles with ADHD that say, “I have ADHD and I’m totally fine! Don’t make excuses! Just hyperfocus on the right thing!” Bitch, do you think I can pick my hyperfocus? Cause no. I can’t.

Also, everyone exhibits ADHD differently. And some people respond to treatment better than others. I feel more like myself with medication, but I understand those that choose the alternative. EVERYONE. IS. DIFFERENT.

I was told I had depression, then that I was bipolar, then ADHD. Whatever the hell I am: My whole life has been a fight against my brain—struggling for control and peace. Very rarely do I feel comfortable in my own headspace.

Yes, some people lean too heavily on their ADHD or use it as an excuse. But that doesn’t mean you can say, “that’s not what ADHD is. You’re fine! If I can do it with ADHD, you can do it! Suck it up!” How the hell do you know what’s going on in someone’s brain?

When my psychiatrist said to me (after years of other doctors saying I’m bipolar), “Have you thought about ADHD?” I had an existential crisis, but she said, “I’m treating your symptoms. I’m listening to what you’re saying is happening and going from there.”

I hate feeling this way. I cannot explain how it feels to be in my brain. I can’t express how scary it is to come out of a manic moment and not remember what happened for the past hour. But I know I’m doing what I can to manage MY situation.

I do therapy and have a psychiatrist; I have been working on this for a long time. And unfortunately, some people see posts like those and are afraid to get help. Stop making assumptions and try to understand the individual AND the disorder.

Posts like the ones I mentioned are harmful and create expectations that some folks will never meet. I have no clue what I’m doing. I struggle daily and feel like I’m losing an uphill battle sometimes… but I keep trying.

I have a lot of feelings about this, and seeing someone be belittled because “I have ADHD, and I’m fine” gets my blood boiling. Just know that you’re not alone, and I hope those who are being gaslit into thinking they’re not “ADHD” -ing right can find their space.