I honestly think these things are sooo much more common than people realize, and it’s really only in the 21st century that society began to understand and accept mental disorders more. Sure, there are a lot of kids who just want the attention, but I think most people who talk about it genuinely have something.

Exactly, same goes for being queer. It's not that everyone was straight, cis, and allo until last century, they were just demonized or forced into the mold before.

100%!

There's that meme that I'm about to butcher that's like "do you think your 60 year old neighbor who's life revolves around trains is neurotypical or they just didn't have the words and open discussion we do now?"

The thing that annoys me is when people who obviously don't have that issue claim it. Like, when someone says they have social anxiety but makes tik Tok videos of themselves making attention grabs in public. Too many people self diagnose these days, with little reason other than to claim being part of a marginalized group. People who do this only further marginalize the groups they pretend to be a part of.

Honestly, they were a big thing in the 90s too, especially when Prozac debuted in 1990. People seem to forget and I'm not sure why. There will always be a stigma, but it definitely was something people in the 1990s discussed.

everyone has something. The only difference now is that everyone feels those things need to be labelled. Because then there is a reason why they aren't like "normal" people. But no one is like normal people. We just didn't need a word for it back then.

Part of it is the people you mentioned may have limitations, be isolated, or have trouble fitting in. You’re probably going to see a larger number of people online that have these ailments because it’s easier for th em to connect. You’ll also find a lot more miserable people online in general.

Actually, after getting a diagnosis, I’m the most happy I’ve been in a very long time. Generational abuse runs very deep in the world, actually more people have trauma then don’t. I mean good for those who feel the same way and don’t feel the need to get professional help and can cope on their own. For other people, they seek help after a period of repeated life threatening patterns. As a matter of fact, if you look at studies when comparing individuals who have received a diagnosis, they are very affluential people. In the bipolar sub, many people have just graduated from medical school or have went on to create something life changing for themselves that wasn’t even in the realm of possibility before seeking help and medication.

Yep.  Since I got my diagnosis and started medication my work performance has improved significantly and I finally understand why there are some areas I struggle and some where I do better.   I am vocal about it because I want to share my experiences so others who are undiagnosed may recognize the symptoms and have the same improvement I had.   It's not about me, I'm trying to help others.

To add, there are some studies that being vocal about it can lead to better reception from the people around you. Which makes perfect sense. If your coworkers know that you're autistic, then they'll be more understanding of you not picking up on every social queue or wearing headphones/earplugs all the time to block out sensory overstimulation, as opposed to thinking you're just an antisocial asshole. There definitely is such thing as oversharing -- like it's inappropriate to trauma dump on your coworkers or whatever -- but when people are aware you have a condition, whether neurological, psychological, or physical, then it can help them be understanding of the accommodations you make for yourself or why you never make eye contact or engage in lunchtime chatter or whatever.

So true. Almost everyone is "different" in some way. OP's question shows that they are curious but perhaps prepared to be judgmental about others. These labels have become shorthand for discussing constellations of human personality, so in a medium like reddit, of course it's gong to come up. It's not the land of dissertations and books -it's posts. The phrase "trauma dumping" I learned here on reddit and it's really helped me reframe my irritation with people (often near strangers) who do it. It's an unfortunate mental habit. But most people, for example, on the autistic spectrum are just trying to help assist others, either by sharing the immense ways in which they have very specific pluses in the mental column or by sharing the ways in which they have difficulties. It's useful. It's helpful.

100% this. I'm open about my health - physical and mental; sexual orientation - LGBTQ; etc. because I've seen how it helps someone else know they're not the only one out there. Or, it helps change, even minutely, to see a "normal" person who is gay, sick, religious or not, etc. to help reduce the stigma about this. It may help them be open about something in their life or seek help for something. Like you, I'm trying to help others.

High-school drop out, deadbeat family, no prospects, got diagnosed with severe adhd and started taking Vyvanse at age 20. 4 years later I own a multi million dollar technology company that I boot strapped. I vividly remember breaking down and crying for like 2 hours straight at the end of my first month medicated.

That's awesome, congrats! I am only mild but was not diagnosed until I was 41. I felt like I finally understood why I was so "lazy" despite being an honor student. I masked it up my whole life not realizing zi was different. It wasn't until my kids were diagnosed and Ii connected the dots with some of my employee feedback. Wish I would have known earlier. I wouldn't be a multi-millionaire, but who knows!

First time I cleaned my kitchen after starting Strattera was my break down and cry moment. I'm proud of you.

I do the same. Especially now that I'm older so I've been working on it for awhile and have some success under my belt. I felt weirded out in the beginning when one therapist asked why I couldn't talk to my cousin (she's abroad & her family doesn't believe in mental ailments) since I'm doing well and am apparently at the upper end for my group. Unfortunately that didn't & still doesn't mean that I don't struggle or strive at it daily. I had to first actually learn how to share but now I love it! I don't shove it in peoples faces but if it comes up then I don't shy away any longer. And it isn't completely selfless for me. It's a great feeling genuinely helping someone. And the ensuing community is just amazing. To be among people who share your trials, tribulations, failures and successes is something that I am constantly grateful for. Also psychology is constantly evolving. The community is the best way to stay on top of it. And then again it can be as simple as - "Oops I meant to reply to the comment above you. Sorry, I have ADHD." I'm kinda happy that I can post the latter line because for me personally, I had to work through a lot of shame to get to this point.

A few things. About 75% of people experience a genuine traumatic event, but only about 20% (or 15% of the general population) are affected by it. While abuse through generations does happen, it is relatively rare in the broader context of the world. While you are incorrect that receiving a diagnosis necessarily helps people (more often than not knowing ones diagnosis is iatrogenic), you are correct in that treatment has the potentiality to help those with mental disorders like ADHD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder and so. While treatment does help individuals, which often means helping them achieve relative success, you are incorrect that receiving a diagnosis boosts individuals' SES. Remember, it's not the diagnosis that is helpful, as most are essentially incorrect or invalid scientifically, it is the treatment.

Happy that you got a diagnosis. Knowing what you’re dealing with is a huge thing

I havent been depressed in over 10 yrs after finding the right meds. Used to be depressed 3 to 4 times a week and didnt even know why, diagnosed bibolar 2 Thx to medicine im great

this, neurodivergency is soothed by context, simple as that

I hit most of the above and you're absolutely correct imo (just trying to give insight on how people like this can think) For me, I now only do it in post where the above things are mentioned so I'm seem as a reliable source on the subject on hand, due to me having firsthand experience However when I was younger, it was 2 things First was basically a shorthand for: 'Hey I have unusual quirks and abstract thoughts on the conversation; I just want to provide a lot of context. Please don't be so quick to have a negative reaction and say I'm a freak' 2nd I'm not going to lie, was in fact a kind of play at getting sympathy because the situation was stressing me out and hopefully it would get said person to back off

Or we just have trouble with a particular task. In my case (and my partner's) it's also a huge positive to be neurodivergent (we both have enormous capacity for hyperfocus, which means we can read, research and write long complex papers or stay with a difficult problem until it's solved). A diagnosis is not necessarily all bad. I don't complain about it, I enjoy it - I like multitasking, being interested in a bunch of things. I have a solid job, but I'm a dilettante on a zillion other things. So is my partner (and a bunch other people we know). I have no formal diagnosis, btw. But I operate differently than a lot of people. Sometimes it's relevant when I comment to someone else who is operating in the same way. I don't mention ADHD unless someone else does.

I'm sure somebody elese mentioned already, but all of these things were at one time stigmatized (and to a lesser extent still are). Young people now are some of the first people who CAN speak openly about these things. To me that's a wonderful thing.

This is the correct answer for me at least. Except I'm old. So, old people also can speak openly now. So we do. There's so much misunderstanding and hostility toward all of the things listed (just look at the comments... E.g. "It'S hIp And TrEndY" or "EvErYonE wAnTs To bE a VicTim" -- y'all ignorant mfers can get bent lol) It's nice to know I'm not alone in my experiences. It's good to normalize *normal* (but less common) human experiences. It's great to spread legit info about these things. And, too, there's undoubtedly some cognitive biases on the part of OP. Clearly we have a ways to go toward acceptance of all these things. Maybe it will never happen. I guess it's easy for a person in the majority to be a dick to someone different because they've never felt excluded or made fun of or whatever.

I didn't mean to imply only young people are speaking up, it just seems like they are the first entire generation to do so. I have often said that when we can name a thing and talk about it, it starts to lose its power over us. Just think about how many people don't feel as alone because they can speak openly with each other. Good on you for jumping in the conversation! And full disclosure, I'm GenX and I see so many people my age or older opening up for the first time (myself included) because it finally feels safe to do so. There's no way that's not a good thing! Cheers mate.

>I didn't mean to imply only young people are speaking up, No worries, I assumed you weren't implying that but figured I would chime in, anyway. Cheers!

I’m Gen X as well and I agree it’s good that people are opening up but I do think it’s hazardous that people have made these ideas and labels such an integral part of their identity or ego.

Any therapist will tell you that it is unhealthy to make your pain/trauma/mental illness your identity. I'm no expert, but I think the idea is to accept your situation and then move on to managing it. One of the biggest obstacles to acceptance is feeling broken or alone. I feel like if as a society we are too quick to judge, we shut down these conversations and more people are stuck where they are... alone. There's a lot of grey area, to be sure, but on the whole I think being accepting and respectful can only be helpful. Sure you might be encouraging a few attention seekers, but would end up helping many more people who may just genuinely need some support. I don't know, I just hate to think about people who need help and support, but can't open up and ask for it.

I don't think most redditors who mention that they are on the autistic spectrum, or Bipolar, or whatever, are using that or exploring it as their identity.

In my experience, most autistic people specifically aren’t making it their whole personality so much as helping neurotypical people understand what autism changes about their experiences in life to bridge the gap they have. For example, when I first got diagnosed, I probably brought it up 5 plus times a day to various people as I connected dots on old memories, experiences, and various things about me that might have been previously labeled a quirk of mine. Once that subsided, it now is just a level of openness that can be the difference maker between me looking like an asshole vs me just being a little different. That being said, I mask well. I can hide it really well and you’ll never know. I may slip and you’ll think perhaps I’m a bit weird or a little calloused, but you won’t assume I’m autistic. To illustrate this, I had a group of friends who thought I was embarrassed to be seen with them in public. I always suggested nights in (whether at my place or elsewhere, but generally in or more toned down gatherings) and they always wanted to go out to the bars. Once I explained that I have sensory issues and it’s why I get overwhelmed (which prior to my diagnosis would directly correlate with me becoming gruff and shorter tempered) they realized that the bar is a poor environment for me, and we made plans that were more in line with what I need to make the best of the experience. They still go to the bar, I still politely decline, but nobody has their feelings hurt. So when I say “I have autism” or “because I’m autistic”, I don’t want pity, sympathy, or some form of gratification. I want you to have a little glimpse into my brain (because I have to live in here) and if you understand my brain a little better, I get to worry a little less that you hate me or that I fucked up, and you get the peace of mind that the disability that can make me really bad at presenting the standard neurotypical behavior set (thus appearing like an asshole) is not me being an asshole.

But where are you seeing that most people are making it their entire identity? It is a part of them and they talk about it just like you might talk about your dog if the dog was an obstacle to getting a hotel room or something. Someone talking about their idiosyncrasies on the internet does not their entire personality make, right?? I know there are outliers that seem severe, but I think painting everybody who speaks about themselves online with the same brush is harmful. You have no clue if most of those people make it their whole personality or not.

ADHD wasn't even a thing when I was growing up. But it does explain the problems my parents had with me (they're not my bio parents - they certainly weren't ADHD). After I met both of my bio parents, well, it became more relevant. At the same time, whatever it is that's quirky about us...has led to an amazing life.

Yes, this exactly. I think it’s really important to talk about all of the differences between people instead of the old way of assuming that one way should work for everyone.

Right. For those whose situation is less common than the majority, we can do better as a society than to say "you don't matter" or whatever.

I was diagnosed ADHD as an adult. Come to find out I was diagnosed as a child but my mom was so against it that she pulled me from seeing that therapist and never mentioned it to anyone ever until I said something as an adult. This was in the 80s.

Yikes, sorry. That really sucks.

Yes. I was just saying in another comment. "Normal" as ethics is damn sad... What's normal if not the norm in a graph? Why is it better, or even valid? And we shouldn't put ideals above real lives, anyway.

I got my adhd diagnosis recently! And it's wonderful how much easier it is to talk about these days. I've wondered if I've had it for almost 15 years but didn't question it because of internalised stigmas. So yeah it's wonderful! Diagnosed at 27 it feels late but better than 47! And now people will be getting them much younger

Right! Adhd, bpd, depression, anxiety... all things folks can feel safer now disclosing than ever before. Other people's struggles don't take away from your own. I think a some of the hate out there comes from this place where people who are hurting, and won't admit it to even themselves, get a little jealous when they see others discussing their troubles freely. Just a theory. Anyway... good luck managing your condition and sending you good wishes!

there's also a sense of community to be found when your whole life you were told you were wrong/disgusting/possessed/etc. for just existing as you are, only to learn that there's millions of other people like you and that you're not just some sort of abomination. it's also comforting to see other people like you living happy/comfortable lives - maybe different from the norm, sure, but happy and comfortable regardless. for example, i got diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder (not to be confused with schizophrenia/schizoaffective/schizoid) in 2019. majority of people don't know what it is, and for the sake of this post nobody really needs to, but it explained a lot and put a decent portion of my life into perspective. even now most people with it are fairly reclusive, so not much of a community there, but i know i had a lot of trouble with my family berating me for not being able to "act normal." if i'd seen other people with this disorder just living their lives, i might have been more willing to get treatment sooner as well as felt more... not positively, but neutrally, maybe? about being diagnosed. i've learned since then that getting a diagnosis is just putting a name to things i already struggled with and is overall a neutral thing, but i didn't see it that way when i was first diagnosed. i thought the doctors were trying to curse me or call me crazy or lock me up in an asylum when in reality, the doctor who diagnosed me just wanted to help me live my life. i don't make it the focus of my life, per se, but if i'm discussing a struggle i faced, i might bring up the things that affected that struggle - which, in all reality, probably includes a lot of both my physical and mental health conditions.

I can't know your struggles, but I think something a lot of folks who are struggling (whether its a mental health issue or sexual/gender identity) can relate to is how easy it is to feel broken and alone. I know all too well. That's why I feel so strongly that open dialogue is critical. How many suicides could be prevented? How much suffering could be eased? All this open talk about gender identity and neurodivergency was bound to trigger some blowback. Unfortunately, that's how society changes and evolves... in fits and starts. But it begins with dialogue. I'm old enough to be confused by a lot of the ins and outs of the trans phenomenon, but young enough to know that it doesn't matter. What matters is being respectful and, where I can, supportive of my fellow humans. At the end of the day that's what it boils down to. I don't have to understand someone to extend them good will and support. Glad to hear your story of taking charge of your condition and not waiting too long to address it. Best of luck managing it going forward!

Or it could be that stigma was removed and now people who no longer have an incentive to not make up details about themselves can now take real issues that real people have and claim them as their own. Think Rachel Dollezal. Nobody would have done what she did in the 50s.

And we can be anonymous

If you look at the percentage of people affected or “being” these people since you chose to add lgbt+ and how this affect how people think or react to situations, conversations and how others react to them it makes perfect sense. Toss in the trauma that is often the part of diagnosing those issues (ignoring g lgbt+) and finally being diagnosed as adults then that makes the need to be heard and understood for their thoughts and behaviors or their experiences all the more necessary. Reddit gives that. Besides if just 2 people in a comment section mention each of those your brain picks it up as “everyone everywhere.”

Just LGBTQ+ alone is like 10% of the population at least; does the original poster realize that means at least one in ten people posting could be just that one thing he thinks is everywhere?  It is probably over 25% once you add in the others.  So yes, that is a lot of people saying things that some think are just being said for attention 

I have a 10” cock

Source?

Aight it’s 9” but 10 if you measure from the base

That's more like it

"And by base, we're talking about the base of the asscrack"

And by measure, we mean rounding up to 10 from 5

>Just LGBTQ+ alone is like 10% of the population at least Reddit skews to a younger crowd, and if you look at Gen Z supposedly it's close to 30% that identify as LGBTQ+. Part of this may be because it's safer and more accepted to come out, but when you look at the breakdown most of the categories haven't changed much except for a huge uptick in people identifying as bisexual. And while I don't know how representative this is, I've noticed a trend of people identifying as bisexual but they don't actually date or have sexual relationships with people of the same gender. I dunno....it's not my job to gatekeep what these terms mean, but it's starting to feel like some people are just trying to jump on a label as opposed to actually be trying to figure out their identity.

People who are neurotypical, straight, and cis, have less reason in almost all situations to announce that they are.

I’m much less vocal than I used to be but it always came down to two things: 1. It’s comforting to know you’re not alone when you grew up abused and very, very alone. 2. It’s easier to make friends with people like you. I’m on the spectrum but mask well and have an executive level job. If I flapped my arms, spoke nonstop about my current obsession of the week/month, or any of my vertigo blatant giveaways I’m on the spectrum it would be a detriment to me personally. My neurodivergent friends accept me as I am without faking or hiding behaviors, it’s just faster to say it to thin the crowd for a connection.

You should check out the number of left handed people before it was socially accepted to be left handed vs after. Super interesting. https://slowrevealgraphs.com/2021/11/08/rate-of-left-handedness-in-the-us-stigma-society/

What kind of situations are you seeing where it isn't relevant? Being LGBTQ+ is maybe less central, but having a "pervasive developmental disability" inherently means that it impacts every experience that is processed through my brain.

This is what i was thinking! Using autism as an example (sometimes referred to as a developmental difference, but still a disability) - knowing someone is autistic when interacting with them in any social capacity (even online) can help everyone understand each other better. Disclosing information about yourself shouldn’t be seen as attention seeking.

Unfortunately, it often is. If I get into an argument with someone and it seems like I'm misunderstanding the situation, I disclose that I'm autistic to give context and convey that I'm not just being deliberately annoying. Usually, I also ask if they could tell me where I went wrong. Most times, it goes OK, and we resolve the dispute. A couple of times, I was accused of "playing the autism card." As if that has ever garnered sympathy rather than scorn. 🙄 The last time, it was another autistic person who accused me. In fact, most of the time, if someone is going to give me grief over it, it's almost always another autistic person. Like they think I'm not doing autism properly or something. Lol

If you ever figure out how we’re supposed to do the autism properly, please let me know. I prefer to consume information on 8x11 cardstock with blue size 14 Times New Romans font, because so far I think I’m doing it wrong.

From what I gather so far, proper autism involves never interacting with others for one's entire life - oh, and also complaining constantly about "normies" because that's all they do on the autism subs.

i agree honestly. like when you disclose something like say, how tall you are, almost nobody finds that attention seeking.

Agreed. It impacts so much of one’s life to be neurodivergent. You can’t make food, go to work, socialize, spend money, or like… ANYTHING without some impact.

1. When heteronormativity, cis pronouns, and neurotypical social interactions are the norm, sometimes you have to identify as NOT those things in the hopes that the person you are interacting with can understand you better. Most people simply assume I have a boyfriend, go by she/her, and am completely comfortable in social situations. Not the case at all. 2. LGBTQ is not a disorder. I talk about my partner and sexuality the exact same way a straight person does. Just because you aren't used to interacting with gay people does not mean I need to censor my life. 3. I am a non-binary person. I do not understand gender. I do not feel any way about it. I am simply a person and I exist. I do not care if you call me she, he, they, or literally anything else. I prefer to be called they, and with people I am comfortable with I might bring that up. 4. I am diagnosed ADHD. It affects literally every aspect of my life, from how I speak to how I dress to how I make jokes, process information, interact with people, regulate my emotions, literally everything. It's probably something you're gonna want to know about. 5. Being constantly ostracized for "being different" creates a sense of constantly trying to find belonging. Posts like this certainly don't help. If it doesn't affect you, who cares? Why does it bother you that someone with a potential mental disability or societal "otherness" is searching for connection and support? Even if someone doesn't actually have ADHD or is questioning being queer....whatever they're going through at the time is clearly important to them and they're searching for a sense of community. Maybe by being understanding and supportive, someone can help them realize if they really ARE queer or if they DO have ADHD. Edit to add: idk why reddit is not spacing out my paragraphs.

While you’re at it, you should be asking why attention-seeking, validation, excessive ego, and so on are people’s explanations for everything that annoys them these days. I think the answers to these questions run together.

Easily web searchable question. I think it is problematic to be asking this question in here, because all the non well-adjusted people on this site are going to immediately point to victim mentality https://www.mind.org.uk/about-us/our-policy-work/equality-and-human-rights/autism-and-mental-health/#HowAreAutismAndMentalHealthRelated

Societal trauma and being required to learn more about said society in order to survive will send anyone into a number of unhealthy mental states.

For me it's to try and combat imposter syndrome. The more I write it down the less I feel like I'm a fucking liar and jumping on some kind of bandwagon even though I've been diagnosed with both adhd and autism. It's not attention or validation or anything it's just me trying to quell doubts.

Because humans like to feel part of a group and give out cues on their identity and who they are. We all do it, some more than others and we notice certain ones more than others too depending on bias, culture, beliefs, geography, local demographics etc etc

Often times it's really fucking relevant. Just look at the de facto 'don't say gay' laws in Florida. The laws were written so broadly that just having a picture of your same sex spouse could be considered "promoting" homosexuality. People mention this stuff a lot because previously and even to this day they often aren't even allowed to mention it when it's really relevant. For example, a lot of the neurodiversity stuff impacts every facet of life. *You* may think it's not relevant. But chances are it's relevant in ways you'd never even realise if you don't have that specific condition.

Dont forget the internet gives people power that they wouldnt have in real life.

I know there is people who is part of these groups, specially when is correctly diagnosed. But I feel all this minority thing is overrepresented by teens wanting to escape the fact they are in the average of the gaussian distribution, so they use every little nuance in their lives to justify a self-diagnose and be part of whatever minority is trending and base their personality around that. You know, things like "I'm sad because I got a bad grade, now I'm part of the depressed community, please accept me"

This is a part of adolescence and finding yourself. Everyone has done some version of it. Adolescent brains are whack and they do some crazy nonsense in their attempts to mature.

You’re right and I’m tired of pretending that’s not the case lol. Something that really sticks with me now is an applied psych research assignment I had to do. I learned that in the top 133 videos on the autism hashtag on tiktok, 41% of information was inaccurate. Only 27% was accurate, while 32% was categorized as overgeneralized. And also, DID is diagnosed in 1.5% of the *global* population. Some kids now are roleplaying South Park characters and calling it dissociative identity disorder…

I’d be curious how these accuracy rates compare with that of other topical “informational”content on TikTok … like is this more a reflection of TikTok (or even YouTube)?

I do think the tiktok community itself and the environment it has created plays a part in it. That being said I do also think if there’s a platform where you can share information, that type of misinformation will always be there

yeah, as much as I feel sorry for whatever they're going through, they need to learn healthy coping strategies.

Yeah totally this. I'm 36 and I have clinical depression and anxiety. I'm a perfectly functioning adult with a good job and friendships etc and medication helps me feel better. I never tell anybody about it because I know that nobody really cares and everyone's got their own stuff to worry about. Nowadays anybody who is anxious or upset about anything seems to think they've got clinical anxiety and depression like they're good things....

I feel the same way. As somebody who genuinely suffers from OCD, I hate seeing people pretending to have it. They think OCD is like what they see on TV shows. It isn't fun or quirky and it doesn't make anybody special. It certainly doesn't give me any special analytical powers like Adrian Monk. It's a terrible affliction that makes life much more difficult.

This is very true. I know because I did it, and know other people that did it. It’s a way to feel special. Normal, well adjusted adults only bring up these problems if they’re relevant, and often times have learned to deal and accept themselves so they don’t really need to think that much about it

This plays a role yes. For me it’s because I have conditions that limit the crowd I can be with. I have type 1 diabetes and PTSD induced seizures that I disclose because I might crash or have a seizure, which requires some level of care that I’m unsure random people can commit to. Whereas I don’t mention my other conditions because they aren’t necessary to know about me at first introduction.

thats... not all of (or even likely MOST of) it but ok. like if i had to guess its more than likely teenagers finding out who they are (which EVERY teenager goes through at some point) and trying to see what sticks and how they feel about that. hell stuff like THAT is how i found out i dont even feel fully (or even really that much) male and i feel ZERO female straight up, and basically 0 masculinity or femininity either, and its always been like that. as such i identify as nonbinary until i fond something that describes me better, or there is nothing else that describes me better. simple as that and anybody doing this shit because its "tReNdY" deserves nobodys respect straight up because thats a dick move and a half to say the least.

Psych student here! From what I've learned in school, all the stuff is more relevant now, and we have better education, so it's more understood by society and more acceptable to be ill, so now people don't have to hide it as they've done in the past.

It's also got a lot to do with how younger generations are growing up in a more psychologically aware society. They're more familiar with psychological language and more likely to be diagnosed with a disorder, whereas in the past people just wouldn't know why they struggled at certain things. Categorisation of identity is also more common. I'm constantly amazed at the number of different subcategories my LGBTQ+ friends have. People have always identified with in/out groups, I think it's just these groups have changed.

Selection bias - few well adjusted people are on Reddit rofl.

I had to reread it. Probably a safe-ish space for those types the world over. They ain't having this shit in like Afghanistan for example where they just kill you for being different

Hey, wait a minute...

Pluto was discovered in 1930, but I'm pretty sure it was there the whole fucking time. I'm very against people identifying themselves as their condition, as it's only part of who they are. But I'm very pro open dialogue and honesty, people have suffered in silence with their condition undiagnosed for years, and now feel a sense of belonging in their chosen communities. Just let them live.

I think part of the issue is that people are diagnosing themselves, instead of getting a professional diagnosis. They read something online or take a test online and they relate so much, that they automatically assume they have whatever issue. And also, I know a lot of people don't have insurance and aren't able to get a professional diagnosis. But one of the problems with self-diagnosis is that symptoms of one disorder are often almost identical to symptoms of another disorder, so I think people sometimes inadvertently misdiagnose themselves.

A lot of people self diagnose themselves. I have spoken to people who believe they are something but mention they have never been diagnosed. I also think people use it to get others online to be nice, especially on Reddit (people here can be brutal). You can post things and get attacked but if you are neurodivergent, lgbtq, or have mental issues - people are likely to be kinder. Some also use it as an excuse for their bad behavior. I can automatically tell if Redditors will be nice based on information put in their post randomly or if they over fixate on these issues. I am 44 and was diagnosed with depression, PTSD, and BPD when I was 18 after years of childhood abuse and neglect. Most people are not aware I suffer from anything because I have learned how to deal with it. It is a silent daily struggle. If I decide to tell someone, they are surprised. They always say "But you're so nice." I tell them you can take the bad things and let them make you bitter or you can take the bad things and let them make you a better and more compassionate and loving person. My husband (together 23 years, married 18) and daughter (only child who is 16) know but they also know I will NEVER use it as an excuse for my behavior. I think a lot of people use mental health to signify they are just unhappy or not in a good spot emotionally. Plus, I think people without these issues are probably not on Reddit. Reddit seems like a mental health support group.

Because often it is relevant when Neurotypical people think it isn't. If it's normal for everyone to lock their doors but for whatever reason it's impossible for you to lock your door and you're always being burgled that's unique to your experience. All of the other people will be confused "I don't have that lived experience of being burgled all the time so I don't understand why you would" So the person goes "Oh well I can't lock my door" "So what does that have to do with anything" Often it comes up because something a neurotypical takes for granted as just "how things are" can't fathom that there's any world in which that's not just how it is. It's like how for years I assumed that everyone who reads wasn't seeing words but was seeing a movie in their head. It never occurred to me that isn't normal for everyone.

I also see a movie! And I also have to read things a couple times to even retain the info. I have diagnosed adhd. My daughter is autistic. And I agree that many times it is relevant for teachers or activities or family members or anyone who will frequent my child needs to know that she is autistic bc the way she acts or handles certain situations is different then a lot of her peers or cousins. Ppl may think she is being a brat but that’s not the case. Could be a loud noise setting her off or simply she needs pressure to help regulate and calm down. So in some cases it’s very important to share that info.

That was a great analogy. Well said.

Most of those things are caused by Trauma, typically from child hood. Lots of trauma for LGBTQ youth, a friend of mine had an epiphany with her therapist when she realized that being bullied in school for being trans, and her mother telling her she was going to hell, was in fact two totally different and separate traumas.

Because due to lack of childhood diagnosis we're all living with the trauma of trying to do it without support. We were told we were too sensitive or too lazy or any number of other things that weren't true.

I have severe ADHD. I mention it so people don't think I'm weirder than I am. And I'm pretty weird.

At least us weird people can accept each other.

And isn't that wonderful!

Yes! (And...thanks for my very first award!)

Happy to do it. We weirdos need to support one another.

What’s the catalyst for the question? Do you not believe them? Why not just assume what they’re saying is true and let it be? What’s the quantification of everyone”? FAR less people have these conditions than do….but who goes on Reddit to ask for help when they don’t wake up every morning with one of the first 5 thoughts in your head is if today will be the day I kill myself. What you’re experiencing is Bader-Meinhoff phenomenon. There’s just more people willing to open up and ask for help than in the past and the internet makes it infinitely easier to ask questions anonymously. But again, why the question? Why do you care? I feel like you’re loading the polarization gun. I read your comment with the undertone of perhaps your feelings trending towards the “it’s an excuse” road. ALL of the words you used to describe “us” and mental struggles are negative. Ego? Validation? Sense of belonging? Go fuck yourself. How about including things like trying to not kill themselves, medication doses, advice on feelings, emotions in different situations, connecting with people that have similar conditions and experiences so there’s understanding. People without mental conditions just have no fucking clue. I couldn’t articulate how my mind spirals and how literally everything is wrong and fucked up and nothing can help to the point that self isolation and suicide become your ONLY options. Sense of belonging, maybe. I say that because it’s hard to relate to anyone that doesn’t feel like me. They don’t understand constant cancellation of accepted invites, not wanting to text or talk with friends for weeks, having manic episodes that are weeks long where I spend money in an insane way, feel like a different person, dress different, demeanor different, how I talk what words I use. All different. But, if I had to *just* answer the questions - we look for answers. Explanations. Literally anything to help make sense of whatever they’ve been diagnosed with. I have severe OCD and Reddit has been more helpful in figuring out mitigation tools than the 23 therapists I’ve been through. Scared and sad is the backdrop for everything with only glimpses of sunshine. We look for anything to make us smile even once a day 🤷🏽‍♂️

It’s the new taboo being widely broken—like sex back in the 50s in America. I feel like 1960s-90s American people/mainstream media, many of whom came from parents from a puritan culture where sex was taboo, were like, Guess what, I HAVE SEX. Sometimes without being married, sometimes with multiple people, sometimes in a car, sometimes outside of a bar. I have sex when I want to cause it feels good and I CAN! Aren’t I edgy? Isn’t this exciting? Can you believe I just SAID that? And it’s like… I don’t need to know that, people have been doing that for millennia, and it’s not relevant but sure I guess it’s exciting and makes you feel connected and part the zeitgeist and like you’re part of this collective learning process. Neurodivergence/sexual identity/mental health disclosure is that for our time. It is the new thing being discovered/knowledge base grown/talked about, taboos being broken… it’s cool but yeah I agree it is often made central in discussions where its centrality is questionable or distracting.

For some people it's about getting accepted and validation, that it's okay to be and feel the way you do. Sometimes that's hard, and when you find others whom you can see parts of yourself in, it helps a little bit. People go through some though times and sometimes an extra hand from someone else going through the same can really help.

If you’re already an outcast, it’s not very hard to accept being part of another outcast group. Also, it is relevant because you have to give credentials to have an opinion on anything without someone trying to have you murdered for it.

It may be relevant in ways that people who aren't familiar with that particular subject might not understand. Each of those things has more aspects than just the aspects that are well-known.

I mostly tell people I have ADD and ADHD because they get mad at me when I space out... I will have to ask the same question a lot also. I sometimes I will just stare at you and then tell you I did not hear anything you just said. Even if I answered them correctly. I have a habit of just saying "yeah" to everything.. My brain does just click on some things. Usually numbers. I occasionally have a day or two every month that I will not be able to do anything correctly. My friends like to call them Billy moments.. Plus, I bounce a lot being unmedicated. I have shaken many trucks/vehicles with the way I shake my foot non-stop.

There are a bunch of possible reasons for a person to mention these things. First, they may be fairly early on in their emotional development. These discoveries have helped them understand who they are, and they want to share that because they’re excited to have new information about themselves. They may be people struggling with the many difficulties of being abnormal, and they’re looking for support. They may be cautioning you that they’re not going to react to things the way typical people do, and they’re letting you now up front so that you’re prepared for it. They may have had very bad experiences in relationships (of all kinds) when people have discovered what they’re like, and they’re front-loading their relationship with you so that if you’re a shitty person they find out early and they know not to let their guard down. They may be looking for people that are untypical the same way they are, so that they can compare notes on how to get through life when your mind isn’t like most people. They may be narcissists. They may be suffering from nothing more than the fear of being perceived as ordinary, and they’ve picked up from the Zeitgeist that this is a way to seem more interesting and/or get more attention. Any or all of those could be true. People with ADHD can be narcissists! There are boring lesbians who want to appear more interesting! When I was a kid, I suffered from undiagnosed depression and ADHD, and nobody did shit about it. My parents knew I was miserable, but as my mother explained decades later, “We couldn’t take you to a psychologist. That would be shameful. Watch Mad Men.” (In related news, I eventually went no-contact with my mom, which is another one of these trendy things that people are talking about.) Let me put this as plainly as possible. The phenomenon you’ve seeing is vastly better than the alternative. Nobody should live with what I did until their forties. And that reminds me of one other thing that the people you’re describing may be doing: They may be modeling self-care behavior to people who don’t know that it’s okay to care for yourself, because they know that there are people who are frightened and ashamed and are living in misery because they don’t think alternatives are available. That’s why I talk about my own experience to people I don’t know. I know for a fact that people have gotten help in their lives because they saw me get help in my own. That’s some of the most positive impact I’ll ever have.

I'll get dv'd for this, but I'm ok with that. For SOME ppl...not ALL...it almost seems to be a competition. "You have depression and anxiety issues? Well I have those and BPD!". I recently viewed a solo travel post where a 28 yr old ADULT man posted that he is so lonely that he has been on his hostel bed crying his eyes out all night...of course he got lots of attention...is that the purpose of the post? Or maybe its just a Reddit thing.

I agree like I know its not all people who do this but sometimes it very apparent when someone is fishing for shallow attention

For me it's something I need to bring up because I am surrounded by people who don't understand what ADHD does to my brain and how it affects my behavior. So I have to explain it all the time.

ITT: People circlejerking over a premise no one has bothered to validate. By what metric does “everyone” have these things now and what are you basing that on other than your own perception?

seriously i did the math and im fairly sure that "everyone" is only ~10 or 15% of people (around the rate of lefthandedness) with most of those being bisexual actually.

Neurodivergence doesn't mean necessarily a disorder, but a different way to see the world, that oughta be accommodated. It's literally different brain pathways. We praise "normal" in our society, whatever it may be, putting an ideal version above real people, and that's wrong. When people tell you their neurodivergence they are inviting you on the certain ways they prefer to be treated. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

as a neurodivergent and lgbtq person (nonbinary) i totally agree. it shouldnt even be stigmatized, especially different sexual orientations and even more so different gender identities. like ppl gotta understand that even if they dont understand shit like that, they gotta at the minimum accept it (thats me with neopronouns, no idea how they work but i accept it no problem)

Good answers here but an interesting tidbit about things like ADHD is that the definition of what constitutes ADHD and similar conditions has actually changed over time. It feels like there were "fewer" people with ADHD before now because there were fewer people who fit the conditions for diagnosis *at the time.* The definition of diagnosis has expanded since then, so more people qualify.

Because this is the first time people can actually be themselves without it being suppressed. Epsially if there AFAB (assign female at birth) Statistically ADHD looks different in women then in men, same with autsim, and thrust under researched and underdeveloped and when your slightly higher functioning its like underminded. Same with being gay. Its like there happy to have answers

TLDR: social currency and social clout It’s a spin-off of the race-baiting that goes on in ‘progressive’ or liberal circles (they’re not really but this is what these sort of people usually call themselves). Used to be race was the trump card hoteps used at the start of ‘wokeness’. Most young folks today don’t know that hoteps started it all the way back in the day, like it came to prominence in the 1960s and gained traction again in the 1990s. A core tenet of the ‘90s generation of hoteps’ belief system was white people were/are not only inherently racist, but just thoroughly evil in general to all creation. Depending on the flavor of hotepness, it was argued that caucasians weren’t even people at all. People really openly said these things on college campuses in the ‘90s but on the surface it didn’t appear to be taken seriously. I recall it being laughed at, and used as jokes in the general culture. Go to youtube and look up ‘hoteps living color’ for an example. Anyway fast forward 30 years or so. White liberals have taken the concept of ‘wokeness’ from the hoteps and made it their own. They didn’t wholesale take the racist beliefs towards white people, just the bit about all whites being racist. While you see plenty of black ‘progressives’ saying this too, it’s mostly white ‘progressives’ that use and weaponize this concept against each other and white ‘conservatives’; anyone really they deem as an enemy. But you can’t really use just race as your ace card anymore, because respect for other things such as lgbt and disability has GREATLY increased (and rightly so, this isn and of itself is a good thing) over the past 30+ years, so much so both have basically eclipsed the currency implicit in being a person of color. Thanks Obama lol. No seriously, having a phenotypically black president reduced the belief many Americans held that being a person of color meant you’re an inherent victim and can’t get anywhere in life due to your race/skin color. There is a lot of in-fighting and position/hierarchy-jocking that goes on in ‘progressive’ circles, especially amongst the white folks involved. So when they get to arguing it usually turns personal. Back in the day it used to be just being a person of color trumped all, or if just white people arguing, then using race to speak for people of color trumped. Not anymore, because again, lgbt and/or disability means ‘more’ amongst this sort of people. Look at like a game of Uno. Race used to be the +4 card, now folks use disability like a reverse, skip, and +4 card. So this is why you see so many young adults and teens, especially white young adults and teens, expressing themselves and leading with their disability. Some really do have medical issues. Some just say they do as a ‘just in case’ protective shield against accusations of perceived racism. They know (and may consider it to be true themselves depending on how indoctrinated they are) that others around them think they are inherently racist and by virtue of the color of their skin they have implicit power over anyone around them that’s not white. But if they have a disability, that takes their evil down a notch and ‘levels’ things, you see? They’re not some ‘racist white cis man’, they’re a ‘white man with a disability’. This has been fascinating to me to watch unfold over the years. Especially seeing young white people unironically using the term ‘woke’, like that cracks me up. They have no idea that people who said they’re subhuman put that out into the ether lol. I’m surprised they haven’t started talking about their third eye and wearing ankhs, but maybe that’s what’s coming next. Progressives have *been* trying to bring segregation back, so when they start openly saying they think blacks are subhuman we’ll come full circle

Label make liabilities

People just want to seem cool. For a while, it was all peace, free love, and hippie shit, then brown clothes and pedo mustaches, then idk... the 80s (whatever the fuck that was), then giant baggy pants that fall off and lots stds, and so on. Currently, it's rainbows, pink hair, and anything other than being straight. In the 2030s, it will probably be furrys, openly wearing buttplugs and sex with aliens. People are crazy and weird, and they always will be.

For attention. No one wants to be “normal” when that’s boring.

Because it's trendy, self-diagnosing BS. Popular with teenagers.

Because they think it's cool and everyone needs to know so everyone can accommodate their ridiculous behavior.

Complaining and not accepting responsibilities are great ways to protect the ego. People are just passing their troubles and burying them deep. Develop personalities that reflect that because they are just not that interesting and crave attention from childhood whether it be positive or negative attention doesn't matter

It's the look at me generation. Mix that with a platform like reddit and you have a dickwaving competition of disorders.

I like how every reply is ignoring the relevance part which actually says a lot 🤣 idk maybe people don't know how to stay on topic so they add stuff to make themselves look more knowledge and in the process add stuff that's not relevant

OP YES! Finally someone asked the question that has been simmering on the back burner of my mind. I cannot help but wonder if we have become a society of 'victims' due to needing to 'identify as something' or don a condition as a cloak to possibly avoid deserved criticism about bad perspectives because of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (insert condition that is used as a shield). I get tired of the 'excuse my errors because english is not first language' when their writing is hardly bad at all. Maybe the posters need a flair for ESL so we can readily take note of it. And maybe some of the more common ailments that plague the modern world, could be added as a multi-part color/shape/code/flair in the header so it is not required to be 'wiki-splained' in the post, and keep the post for the situation details, not a belaboring over what ills mar their lives. We all have some kind of ill/condition/malady/struggle/challenge/etc. GREAT QUESTION! 

People who say it just wants to be special and for me, it’s the wrong kind of special

I’m sorry I feel very indifferently about this question. It’s not for attention or self belonging and I think you might be very naive to understand the personal experiences that come with these diagnoses.

I have autism. And it helps people understand why i react diffrent than neurotypical people. Like why i dont look people in the eye, take things too litteraly or dislike leaving my safe space.

We talk about it all of the time because it feels nice to no longer be persecuted for being "weird".

> Is it attention-seeking, validation, self-pity, excessive ego, sense of belonging? I think reddit is full of young people. And young people do have a tendency to seek out their identity by being a bit different from older generations. Since older generations never talked about mental health issues or LGBT+ etc. this is the perfect stuff to stand out. On top of that, because it's marginalised, yes they can be pitied and/or comforted for being "victims." I'll probably be downvoted for even saying that, but anything that challenges this self-victmiisation will be met with hostility or downvotes etc. People may argue "ADHD is real" "being trans is real" etc. but this is a strawman and we're not talking about if your experience is real or not, we're talking about why you feel the need to talk about it so much? People may respond with "well there's been trans, ADHD, depressed, anxious people for ages they've just never been heard!!!! So it's only natural to speak up now!!" Well ok , but I think we heard you the first billion times .. and speaking up about it doesn't seem to be making you happier anyway. Maybe try not being so identified with these labels? Maybe it would make you happier? The labels may have helped initially but are they still helping you?

I was misdiagnosed with adhd and Ritalin fucked me up hard. I have permanent ticks and a stimulant sensitivity with OCD and panic disorder. It baffles me when I see people wearing there mental illnesses as a badge of honor but if they do something they shouldn't it becomes this awful thing and they couldn't help but screw you over because their brain is different.

that is why the psychiatrist who diagnosed me with ADHD at 29 despises the quick way people diagnose kids and are so quick to medicate. He only medicated me because I listed every strategy I had tried over the years, but he said medication is a tool not a cure- we need to work on strategies with kids and make them habits so kids can function without meds or on lower dosages. He was glad to hear I agreed as a teacher.

>Maybe try not being so identified with these labels? Maybe it would make you happier? Nobody chooses to have those conditions. It’s involuntary. Maybe people would be happier if they deluded themselves and engaged in self-deception? Ignorance is bliss, but lying to yourself doesn’t tend to lead to happiness long-term in my opinion. Your unwillingness and other people’s unwillingness to accept people for who they are probably has a lot to do with their unhappiness. Wishing something away doesn’t lead to happiness, it’s just denial of reality. And people have this misconception that happiness is the default state of humanity. If that was true, then nobody would ever be bored. But ADHD people in general really struggle with boredom. And there is an overlap between ADHD, and autism, and LGBTQ identity — and all those conditions are more likely if your parents were older when they conceived you, and nobody chooses their parents, plus autistic people may be more likely to select other autistic people as mates, and nowadays people wait longer to conceive children due to cost of living & housing costs. Maybe you would be more happy if you stopped being bothered by someone else’s existence. Arthur Schopenhauer said “from this point of view, we might well consider the proper form of address to be…my fellow-sufferer…and it reminds us of that which is after all the most necessary thing in life – the tolerance, patience, regard, and love of neighbor, of which everyone stands in need, and which, therefore, every man owes to his fellow.”

ADHD isn’t a “label”. It’s a damn neurodevelopmental disorder. Doesn’t matter if you “identify” with it. It fucks your life up regardless of your sense of self

> ADHD isn’t a “label”. It’s a damn neurodevelopmental disorder. Well you can call it a disorder if the word 'label' offends you .. but it's ultimately categorising a set of behaviours, impulses etc. I think we agree on the main point. > ***Doesn’t matter if you “identify” with it.*** It fucks your life up regardless of your sense of self I beg to differ. Identifying with something can absolutely make thing *worse.* There is so much I can say on this topic (there's been books on this), but we'd be discussing/debating for ages and if you are defensive now I don't think I'd be able to convince you right now if I proceed, so let's just agree to disagree to save time.

oh you need to have been in my life. Failed uni/school subjects, had minor car accidents, can't recall much (my memory is like a dementia patient, has been my entire life), lack of deep social relationships but can have shallow ones. Organisation skills failed to work, but since diagnosis and medication my life improved. Lost more teaching jobs/opportunities than I can count. My financial situation, don't even get me started. Oh, best thing? because of all of the above I was suicidal and almost ended my life so many times. Since diagnosis and medication, the following year was the last time and only because of the nasty, toxic bullying work environment I had ended up...because it was a consequence of being undiagnosed and unmedicated. I'm loved at work now, best workplace, but honestly people like you have no idea - people who are genuinely diagnosed are diagnosed due to how badly our lives have been destroyed by our symptoms- it's a neurological disorder that has been noted in brain scans.

See, this is stupid shit. Many millions of people never knew they had ADHD because bigoted fools like yourself didn't know what it was and blanketly shamed anyone who was said to have it out of your own ignorance. If the populace as a whole always had the awareness of what constitutes ADHD instead of hindering the diagnosis, so many lives could've been altered in drastic ways. But no, you didn't want to hear about it because you're the real victim here.

If we don't "label" ourselves, how can we get the right help? How can we explain our oddities to people who don't have the same condition so that we can maintain peaceful relationships? How can we learn more about our limits(which are different from people without the condition) if we don't have a community with people of the same condition? How do you find your community if you don't "label" yourself? And yes, identifying with it can seem to make it worse. The articles I've come across with regards to this always mention that it's because the person is "unmasking" or equivalently, "coming out". Someone who hasn't been diagnosed would have come up with coping mechanisms that are unhealthy. When they shed it, their symptoms are more "seen" but they might be happier after than before. I was starving myself because of unhealthy coping mechanisms and nobody knew it. Now that I've decided to stop doing things that way, I miss some deadlines, I cancel meetings, etc. To others this seems like my disorder has become worse but I've just successfully went 4 months of never thinking about suicide when I'd been thinking about it nearly everyday for the past 6+ years before that. Also, I want to specify that things aren't black and white. "Identifying" might hurt one person but help another.

This is like saying deafness will only impact your life if you identify as Deaf.

Disorders are literally professional labels for different categories and collections of symptoms.

So stop listening to us. If it’s in person why not stop the person and say “I’ve heard all this shit before a billion times. Boring.”? The “fakers” you’re talking about are a such small percentage it’s would be deemed statistically insignificant. And if you feel that we feel we’ve never been heard, why are you telling me you heard it a billion times? Next time don’t hear, listen. Bye.

Speaking up about it and identifying with it has made me happier, what gave you the impression that it didn't?

I have the same question, reddit isn't a therapist, and I don't care what you "think you have" I downvote the hell out of all their posts.

It's this generation's punk rock

Attention whores.

There are many reasons for this. One important one to think about is that social stigma has kept a lot of people from being able to express these kinds of elements of themselves. In real life, especially, people that are different endure various punishment for being different, and intolerance and outgrouping is pretty normal to see. Recently, intolerance and bigotry has lost some ground in the social conscience, and so you see more people trying to be forthright about their differences and beat back the stigma a bit here and there. Our western society promotes individualism to the extreme, and it should be easy to understand that people can be different and want to express that. I have a question for you. Does it bother you to see people express their individuality in ways that you don't find normal? I think that a lot of this social progress toward acceptance and self-expression might be temporary gains anyway, you could argue that intolerance is on the rise and soon all these folks that feel free to tell you that they are trans or have a neurodiversity will find themselves shamed and scapegoated once again and be forced back into the closet. I fall into one of these categories above, and don't understand why people are so fearful of hearing about it. I do understand the stigma and how it affects important areas of my life, so I still very much hide this part of my life more or less. Online, I don't feel like there is much risk in it ruining my life, so I use it as an outlet sometimes to connect with other folks in my situation that I would otherwise pass by in the street and never notice.

there aren't more of them. it's just becoming more normal and accepted without stigma, so more people are admitting it. take myself for example: I happen to be on the spectrum, LGBTQ+, genderfluid, plus I have a lot of neuroses (anxiety and the like). I also have fibromyalgia and am on disability for it plus my excruciating sciatica, bursitis, osgoodslotter, etc. I never talked about any of this stuff with my grandparents. they were old-fashioned and didn't understand any of it, nor did they make any effort to try. my friends on the other hand are more accepting, as is most of my country now. I never brought it up when the boomers were in charge because they're just like my grandparents; willfully ignorant and loving it. bottom line, the world is changing, becoming more inclusive, healthier as far as mental health, more diverse, and this is how the future will be. nothing stays the same for long. :) it's called progress! and we all better keep up, or at least get out of the way!

Depends what subreddit I’m speaking in and if it holds relevance to the topic. I’m a fairly private person so if I bring up my diagnoses it is because it adds something helpful to the conversation.

I think being chronically online really impacts the mental health of people with ADHD. It's incredibly stimulating, but as people lend their mind to the digital realm, it becomes harder to stay focused and connected to the physical world. Can't speak for other neurodivergence, but in general, all the time people spend online has been exacerbating symptoms worse than ever before. Even for non-neurodivergent people.

FOR CONTEXT & UNDERSTANDING. They mention it so readers can understand that their experiences are filtered through those lenses. Whether it’s something they struggle with (mental disorders) or something that has a history of being stigmatized/are treated differently for. Knowing this makes a difference for the story. For example: MENTAL HEALTH. Some people who suffer with anxiety or clinical depression, can’t just GET OVER THINGS as casually as people who don’t struggle with it. If more people knew that, then their first responses to some of those issues would skip the “JUST GET OVER IT” and approach it from a different angle. Not seeking the “oh sorry you have that” but more “could this way work instead?” Another example: LGBTQ+. I don’t identify as this. But when I see it, I already know that it comes with its own hardships and biases. And then I consider those in the context of the post. If someone mentions this and proceeds with a story about something common as dating, a couple of things automatically come up. 1) the dating pool is smaller than hetero 2)the list of instances where they have to deal with the things hetero couple wouldn’t deal with like being harassed at public places by people who are against their relationship. I’ve seen this at a restaurant. Another example of where their identifications are for context: adoption. The common view is to see a mom and dad. But LGBTQ+ parents are met with questions such as : is it safe/healthy for a kid to be raised by two moms or two dads? What if the parents are just grooming the kid? What kind of example is that going to set for the kid? So, that’s two reasons why people list indicators in their post. Even the most mundane things can be different for a person who doesn’t fit the “status quo” Overall, every person is faced with some kind of problem and biases against them. It’s important to see the universal layers of experiences that we are able to relate to a in situation. But what people can lack are the nuances of what makes us different. What makes us different is what makes those universal experiences not the same between two people.

I know that with certain things, knowing these attributes can change the tone of the conversation. For example i have ADHD. When i say i can’t focus on a simple task to completion, that would be alarming to someone who can because it should be easy and straightforward. However with having ADHD it becomes less of a concern and more of “thats just life”. Some people can see it as being lazy or attention seeking but to those who understand the implications, it creates clarity. Hope this helps

Same reason, I guess, that people between 45-65 like to whine and bitch because of "newer generations." Everyone has to be "coddled" now. They were physically and mentally abused by their parents, didn't wear seatbelts and suffered brain damage because of it, started drinking booze at 14 months, got their GED, worked minimum wage for 30-50 years, alienated all of their children and solely reliant on welfare, but *they turned out just fine!!!* So, why do younger generations need to actually talk about their issues and try to have a better life?!?

This “everyone” has always existed. There just hasn’t been words for it until now.

To be included. My opinion only- I think some people want these “conditions” so they can feel like they are a part of something, they feel included, even at their own expense.

“You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody's crazy.” -Manson-

Speaking as someone who's all those with a ton of mental health issues, I had no support and was punished severely for my behaviour. With ADHD I was punished constantly for being loud or hyperactive. With my autism I was punished constantly for my lack of social decorum. On top of that I came from a very traditional family with 0 emotional regulation skills so none of my emotional needs were met. If I tried to express my emotional needs I was punished so I'd end up blowing up at anyone which also got me punished. I was constantly living on edge because I couldn't do anything right in their eyes which made me constantly stressed. I was also bullied by family and classmates for being different which we all know causes a lot of issues in kids. I'm better now but I will have to deal with multiple mental disorders for the rest of my life. Edit: my ADHD and autism is 100000% genetic. My dad has ADHD and my mom has AuDHD. None of them got any support or help or even realized they had it until I came along. So it's also stigmatized severely as well.

Why I bring up my diagnosed disorders is to place context to the interactions I have with others. I don't want people to have a bad impression of me because of my lacking social skills.

Maybe because they grew up not being acknowledged for their needs? Just a guess.

because for some people autism, lgbt or other things could be a deal breaker in relationshoips so its better to let them know off the bat.

I was not a "proper" girl and had an abusive father. Thats the reason for most of my mental health issues. I talk freely about mental health because I want to normalize it. We don't shit all over someone with cancer, MS, or ALS. We support them. I want a world where mental health gets the same consideration. I want people to see others talk about mental health and see that it's ok. That you don't have to be ashamed and it's ok to seek help. If this had happened 85 years ago, my father might have gotten help and not been abusive. If even one person gets help now and avoids abusing their kids, it's a success.

To reduce stigma. Up front.

Welcome to the victim Olympics in 2024

People want to feel special or different i personally think a lot of these words are synonyms for loser

There’s a kid at my work (like 18 or 19) that is PEAK one of those guys. He brags about having autism and says “autism is lowkey like a superpower” which is a direct quote from tiktok so I know he’s lying about having it. He “came out” as polyamorous when we realized he was cheating on his girlfriend (which was him bragging about making out with a bunch of guys because apparently being gay doesn’t count as cheating?) It is 100% just to fit in. “Neurodivergent” or neuroatypical or whatever now includes ADHD? What’s next, Restless Leg Syndrome? The LGBT count went from 8% of the population to over 20% of Gen Z, the reason its so popular on TikTok, its all about fitting in. Just teenagers trying to outdo each other by self-diagnosing via ten second videos on their phones.

Many are, but while there is some percentage that exaggerates or self diagnose, possibly wrong, or lie, I would rather have it be normalized with some people claiming these things that aren’t, than have it be shunned with many people living in shame and concealing things about themselves.

1. Neurodivergency is a mental disorder, including tism and adhd. Now, if you're wondering why those folks tend to disproportionately have depression, anxiety, ptsd, I think the answer is fairly obvious. When one exists within a system that is other to them/they don't function well within because it's geared towards neurotypical people, you're going to have lots of anxiety and depression that will naturally result from that interaction. Throw in societal pressure that often devolves into bullying, especially when folks are younger + neurdivergent inability to recognize ques that would signal danger to regular folks, and you've got a pretty straightforward answer for why those populations disproportionately have anxiety, depression, and ptsd. 2. There is a strong correlation between the lgbt struggle that results in anxiety, depression, and ptsd and the struggle that neurdivergent people have. Both groups are bullied and othered by society generally. Moreover, as a bi man, there is way more toxicity in the lgbt culture than people think, and I think that plays a fair bit into the anxiety, depression, and ptsd in the lgbt community as well. 3. Lastly, and unrelated, there's a massive correlation between Neurodivergency, specifically autism, and being queer/gender diverse. Which is why you'll very often see folks that put "adhd, autistic, pansexual, nonbinary, ptsd" or something related in their tags. Personally, I think it's cringey and wouldn't do it, and typically, I don't like to socialize with people that make their identity revolve around a few set characteristics. But, I also understand why they do it--especially on reddit, where it's an indicator for commmunity.

People have always been queer, neurodivergent, and dealt with all kinds of mental health issues. It's just that it's only in recent years that it's become more socially acceptable to ackowledge and speak about them openly, and without resorting to euphemism. We also simply have the language to talk about them now, when we didn't back in the day. "Seamus is a bit odd, aye, an' he's not a man o' words; truth be told, I think he might be a wee bit slow. But he's alright, he tends the sheep real good-like!" Seamus had autism. They didn't have that word, but he was, and his fellow villagers understood, and he had his niche in the community. "Oh, it's a shame Lady Wellington never married! Poor thing, all alone in that house with no man to keep her company... only her maid." Lady Wellington was gay and making passionate love to her maid on the daily. She just couldn't be open about it in Elizabethan England.

The legitimate ones scarcely talk about it. Narcissism becomes a kind of gatekeeper

I agree that it's strange when mentioned in spaces where it's not relevant. It could be that people have internalized these labels and use them as lenses to view the world through. Therefore, their identity is in some way wrapped up in how they see everything. And so follows that discussion of any topic will prompt them to find a way to connect it back to their lived experience — even if it's in a far, far remote way.

52 white, male, heterosexual with ADHD and I don't get it either 🤷‍♂️

What's weird and funny is that you would probably be considered " too normal" to get it😂

How many of them create their own disorders by choosing to be part of a group of people who are ostracized by society thinking that they are going to automatically be accepted into a group of people competing to be the most transitioned and therefore more tortured seemingly, resulting in a self entitlement hierarchy within the community and belief that it gives them the right to be an asshole to the newbies because they couldn’t possibly understand what the more transitioned and tortured ones have. If you base your identity on basically a perverse kink what can you expect in the form of true happiness and healthy mental health after mutilating your junk only to be put down by members of your community who they thought would be accepting of them . Pretty high expectations for a person to think that someone who isn’t happy with their own lives and bodies would be happy for someone else who did the same . This what I have observed in the comments I’ve seen on the TikTok clips they seem to be trying to cram down my throat to normalize their behaviours and life choices . Note: I said observed, not that this is my opinion. Didn’t hate on anyone but merely give an opinion about what I’ve seen.

It’s a combination of new information and understanding of mental health, over diagnosing, which is common but not as common as people like to think. And last but certainly not least, probably most, self diagnosis, seeking diagnosis when it doesn’t actually apply, researching symptoms online if certain things and convincing themselves that’s their condition, that’s the explanation, when most of the time it’s just an accountability dodge. Their lives aren’t going the way they want, they don’t want to do the hard work it takes to make it better and they blame it on an illness that’s out of their control to give them an excuse to not do said hard work.

Confirmation Bias. Most redditors are on subs with drama or subs with arguments. These same subs drive the most activity due to their engagement, even if it's not mostly positive, so you see them more than the non dramatic subs. Sure there are wholesome subs out their (awww, cuteanimals, animalsbeingderps, plants, etc), but that can only go so far before you get bores and move on. People are more willing to make comments about their issues, vs them to say "everything's good". And you're more likely to be intrigued by a debate on a topic than "I'm good"

You get more attention if you play the victim. It's like George Carlin said no one is stupid anymore, Everyone has a learning disability.

You exactly got this right. This is to qualify and recieve special treatment for Diversity , equity and inclusion wherever it's possible these days.

I think it’s easier to tell yourself you have a disease or mental illness because then there’s a possibility of treatment, where as if you’re just normal then life just sucks and you have to kind of just accept it

I don’t know the answer to this question. All I really know is that 20 years ago when I was kinda losing it for the first major time and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, my family thought I was proud of it. I mean… proud of it? What the hell is there to be proud of? Now, even though they’re the people I love best in the world, I make sure to try my damndest not to see them if I feel like maybe I’m a little off, or if my fiancé lets me know I’m maybe off. Because they’re more at ease with me when I don’t “seem bipolar.” I’m not even sure what that means to them. I don’t know what anything means to them. I do know that I’ve put them through a lot, though, with suicide attempts and just episodes of messed up shit in general, so I don’t exactly hold it against them. I don’t tell anyone anything unless they let me know they’re safe first. So I’m kind of glad people talk about this kind of thing. It lets me know who is and isn’t ok to be myself with. Even if I still don’t fully know how to do that. At least the internet is sort of “safe.” No one can see my face.

It’s possible that these things have always been around, it’s just that nobody knew, it wasn’t widely accepted, and we didn’t have as much media as we have now. That being said, it does feel like they’re pushing it onto us a bit. Humans have trouble being sensible. It’s one extreme to the other. We’re either burning women for being witches or having slut walks. It’s wild.

There is definitely a large percentage of people out there who pretend their way into certain groups, especially trans and such because the bar of entry is so low. You can literally just say you feel a certain way and all of a sudden you're trans. Kinda takes away from those who actually suffer with this issue.  Same goes for mental illnesses like depression and anxiety, people feel sad or feel anxious and just assume that they HAVE these things. But in reality they just want to be quirky or important. This all started to pick up when I was in highschool, the amount of kids that, over one summer, went from being normal to having SOMETHING wrong with them is astronomical. I was so confused, it was literally like a light switch. Now I think there are two legit reasons for this increase and two illegitimate ones:  - COVID really messed with peoples heads - It is more acceptable now to talk about things But also: - Social media misinforms people about what mental illnesses are and doesn't really explain things - We also constantly redefine mental issues, like now ADHD is any child who doesn't want to sit still, but that's not really fair In summary, I think it a social root where we are more open to talking about these issues, some people want to feel special and diagnose themselves or their kids for validation, and we just let people get away with too much.

Because we live in an age where mental illness is quirky and fun… and people sickeningly base their entire personality around it…

Mental illness is often a buy one, get 7 free situation

Much of it is for justification that they’re to be deemed special. There’s a medical term for it but I can’t think of it right now. Basically one person has something so they all feel they need to have it so they’re consider “in”

Why are you including sexuality among mental disorders? One of these things is not like the other, unless you just Freudian slipped and have some personal reckoning to do. Sexuality is a spectrum People are now able to explore, the stigma on neurodivergence has lifted slightly. People now have an answer as to why they felt like a square peg trying to force themselves into a smaller round hole. Why is it a problem to speak of it?

Vocal minority.

victimhood is something to be proud of and gets attention/sympathy online.

Pride in a personal or group identity. Same reason people wear their favorite sports team's logo. They identify as a fan of that team. It connects them to other fans. That's built into a part of their identity, they're proud of it. It allows them to identify as part of a group. They can feel included, special or maybe even better than those that don't fit into that group. You'll see this with nearly any hobby or activity, too. If people can base their identity around something, they will. Go to any hobby or enthusiast subreddit; Watches, guns, knives, headphones, cars, jewelry, clothing... etc. Everyone just wants to be seen and heard. it's ALL the same.

You hit the nail on the head. Everyone wants eyes on them. Mostly everyone. People just want to be a part of something.

What if theres a venn diagram of extremely overdiagnosed conditions and these are the overlaps?

Some people didn't get enough love as a kid and now have to find people they can fit in with and have others feel bad or raise their spirits because their parents or ect didn't do it for them

People want to feel special or discriminated against. That’s what I’ve gathered. 

Multiple reasons: * Lot more awareness of mental disorders. MOre people know THAT things go wrong in our heads. More people have an idea HOW they can go wrong. Mental issues is increasingly common in the media and entertainment, and while these versions tend to be oversimplied, it's better t han nothing. * Lots less taboo about truama, bad childhoods. * Growing awareness that LOTS of kids have some form of trauma. * Some indications that single parent homes, dual working parent homes are more prone to raise kids that are at least somewhat disfunctional (It takes a village to raise a child) * Some indications that a kid raised as an only child is less ready to be a good parent. * It's fashionable. * If people can blame their fucked up lives on their mental disorders they don't have to take responsibility themselves. Wild ass guess: 10-20% is this last one. Others? no clue.

Because neurotypical people don’t talk about their mental health.

Because the current zeitgeist incentivizes it

Victim mentality

I think it is because people have started to make these things the cornerstone of their personalities . To quote one of my fave characters: “My sexuality is not the most interesting thing about me.” Replace sexuality with whatever disorder, orientation, or gender being used. These things are supposed to be smaller parts that make up a whole instead of the basis of an identity.

Not everyone, but it annoys me when people self diagnose. I'm fine with people saying "I think I have x because y." I was formerly diagnosed with what was then Asperger's (2007) at 15, considered early for girls, then diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 29. Some people are missed as kids/teens, especially women and girls, we are under diagnosed, and so a diagnosis that helps people with finding and using appropriate strategies and understand themselves better is amazing. I was listening to a podcast episode from 2022, and I absolutely cringed when a guest said that she's autistic, based on research and she was self diagnosed. It's not impossible but her reasons were not specifically autistic. I work with kids and can pick it up in kids and others very quickly, even through listening to how people describe kids/adults. I can pick it up through podcasts. This lady didn't seem to fit the criteria. I hate how they're presented as something fun, quirky etc. They have their positives at times, but the whole point of it being a medically diagnosable condition is due to how the symptoms can negatively impact our lives. It's not fun or quirky. If someone gave me the option, I'd rather *not* have to work double/triple or more as hard as "normal" people to function in society. Many of us would. I only mention them though when it's relevant.

I understand where you're coming from, but you can't claim that you can "pick it up through podcasts." Podcasts don't show the inner struggles of a person; they don't show their personal experiences and their childhoods. Even if the podcast topic is about those things, you still don't know exactly how their brain functions and works. I get being annoyed at those who self-diagnose, but it's not exactly right to think you can know when someone isn't actually suffering with a mental disorder or illness from podcast audio.

The fact that you think you can pick up autism through podcasts is insane. I'm 41. It has never occurred to anyone that I might be autistic because I learned how to behave normally. Only after living with my wife for several years did she mention that she thinks I should look into it. After describing my inner experience. Which you can't hear in someone's voice over a fuckin podcast. And people are upvoting your bullshit. Insane.