this post was submitted on 05 Jun 2025
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ADHD memes
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That doesn't really sound like ADHD to me, but rather low self-esteem. I am sure the ADHD could be contributing to the low self-esteem but it doesn't sound like the same thing.
It's internalized ableism related to being told their whole lives they're so smart and talented if only they weren't so lazy. We're extremely capable - sometimes. The rest of the time we struggle at the most basic of everyday tasks that normal people find trivial. Now combine that with late diagnosis. That's a lot of years being told you should be better and wondering why you're not. At the very least, it's an extremely specific kind of low self esteem.
It may not be solely caused by dopamine levels, but the experience is common among many ADHD sufferers and our brain chemistry does predispose us to responding to that in certain ways (which is why we can break out of that pattern more easily when medicated).
Wouldn't personally call it disabled, moreso disadvantaged mentally, setback. Unlike disabled people we're more than capable of doing most things, it's just a mental hurdle to do the same things as a NT with the same efficiency. Kind of like being left handed in a right handed world mentally but 10x worse, society doesn't seem to be able to cope or bear with people with ADHD very well.
ADHD is literally a disability...
ADHD is literally listed as an example on the CDC page about disabilities. https://www.cdc.gov/disability-and-health/about/index.html
Mate, in Germany I could even apply for a disability status. Medication doesn't magically cure you, it just helps. Some people have it so severely, that they can't function without help from someone. One of my best friends is like that. Meds help but he has high blood pressure so he can't take them. You're saying he isn't disabled? That is fucking wild man.
You seem to be misunderstanding what disability means. ADHD is recognized all over the world as a disability. It is literally a disability.
There are different degrees of disability. Just because someone can function doesn't mean they don't have a disability. You mentioned arthritis. Many people with arthritis can do most things, just with difficulty. Medication can also help them. They're still disabled.
While you're right that it's not an explicit ADHD thing, it is very much a symptom of it. How To ADHD made a video about motivation and points out some of the emotional aspects of it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM0Xv0eVGtY which can cause the problematic low self-esteem and people-pleasing behaviour. But there has been a lot of connections with ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria which can further connect to the behaviours in the OP.
Another good Additude article was written from a question sent in, "How can I stop people-pleasing at work?".
In short: Everyones ADHD affects everyone differently but this definitely has strong connections to ADHD.
Reading this phrase is like watching my life flash before my eyes. I’m struggling to think of issues I’ve had over the decades that I couldn’t relate back to that crap.
Wild to read about RSD and see myself in every single sentence.
Thank you for the rundown and links. It's news to me but that does indeed sound like there's a connection there.
I'll have to look into that more at some point. I appreciate your effort to help educate a lot.
To corroborate this, I have ADHD, just stumbled into this meme and thought "Hey I'm in that picture, cool.".
I've had almost 40 years being undiagnosed and thus unmanaged hyperfocusing on random but sometimes-useful knowledge. Deeply insecure about personal competence, perfect example for chronic imposter syndrome. I feel called out.
It is very interesting to read about everyone's experience with ADHD, and how different it really expresses itself.
C-c-c-comorbidities!
Nah, I have that that behavior and crazy high self-esteem. I'm genuinely convinced I can be the most competent person in any situation and I'm usually right.
Yeah this sounds like it could be CPTSD or part of a personality disorder, which you can often find in people with ADHD (myself an example woo).