As depressing as this comic can seem to people only superficially aware of what ADHD is...that's not quite what being on stimulants makes me feel. On one hand, you do see a side of me that can sit down and get something boring done and you might think that it's turned me into an automaton (what an appropriate description). But what most people don't see is the lessening of a buildup of frustration, depression, disintegrating self-esteem, breakdowns when my coping mechanisms fail, the shame and anger from being called "lazy" or told I'm "lacking willpower". Add to that growing up with adults like the teachers/school counselors around me that were convinced I was just lazy because I was a "know it all" that clearly should be able to do whatever I was asked to do and I was not hyper so obviously my problem wasn't ADHD (I have inattentive-type ADHD), I just needed to get my shit together...apparently.
Still to this day and no more a kid, people still say the same hurtful things to me, and add to that the sneer of either "you must be abusing those drugs" or "yeah right, who really has ADHD as an adult". Except, you know, my problems now are not my pre-algebra homework from 5th grade or who thinks what of me on the playground. They're the more serious relationships, bills, jobs, and other general adult responsibilities I struggle with and that I would very much regret if they went down the same path my pre-algebra homework went. I have some ways to cope with this without being medicated, but if I did not have my Adderall nowadays, my life would eventually become a disaster. I don't hyperfocus on something I know I hate doing, it just helps me improve focus on the things in my life that matter to me. It is exactly what you say...it may let me do my work in half the time it otherwise does, but it also means I can spend more time delving into things rather than running around everywhere (mentally speaking). My creative output increases as a result.
There are plenty of stupid parents out there that abuse ADHD diagnoses and drugs so their kids have an advantage over others. There are plenty of older teens and adults that use them for whatever benefit they might get (see even the HN topics that pop up once in a while about various nootropics). There's definitely issues with abuse and misdiagnoses here. None of that discounts the fact that some people do have a problem, and that drugs like Ritalin can make a huge positive difference in their lives.
Too bad people will stick with their stereotypical nonsense regardless.
As depressing as this comic can seem to people only superficially aware of what ADHD is...that's not quite what being on stimulants makes me feel. On one hand, you do see a side of me that can sit down and get something boring done and you might think that it's turned me into an automaton (what an appropriate description). But what most people don't see is the lessening of a buildup of frustration, depression, disintegrating self-esteem, breakdowns when my coping mechanisms fail, the shame and anger from being called "lazy" or told I'm "lacking willpower". Add to that growing up with adults like the teachers/school counselors around me that were convinced I was just lazy because I was a "know it all" that clearly should be able to do whatever I was asked to do and I was not hyper so obviously my problem wasn't ADHD (I have inattentive-type ADHD), I just needed to get my shit together...apparently.
Still to this day and no more a kid, people still say the same hurtful things to me, and add to that the sneer of either "you must be abusing those drugs" or "yeah right, who really has ADHD as an adult". Except, you know, my problems now are not my pre-algebra homework from 5th grade or who thinks what of me on the playground. They're the more serious relationships, bills, jobs, and other general adult responsibilities I struggle with and that I would very much regret if they went down the same path my pre-algebra homework went. I have some ways to cope with this without being medicated, but if I did not have my Adderall nowadays, my life would eventually become a disaster. I don't hyperfocus on something I know I hate doing, it just helps me improve focus on the things in my life that matter to me. It is exactly what you say...it may let me do my work in half the time it otherwise does, but it also means I can spend more time delving into things rather than running around everywhere (mentally speaking). My creative output increases as a result.
There are plenty of stupid parents out there that abuse ADHD diagnoses and drugs so their kids have an advantage over others. There are plenty of older teens and adults that use them for whatever benefit they might get (see even the HN topics that pop up once in a while about various nootropics). There's definitely issues with abuse and misdiagnoses here. None of that discounts the fact that some people do have a problem, and that drugs like Ritalin can make a huge positive difference in their lives.
Too bad people will stick with their stereotypical nonsense regardless.