10 Things ADHD People Are Sick of Hearing

I was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD just before I started college. Even before I was diagnosed I was sick of hearing things like, "Why can't you just try harder?" "Quit staring out the window," and, "Hurry up! You are slowing everyone down." However, once I was diagnosed, things got worse instead of better. No one seems to care for people with disabilities, let alone invisible disabilities. Here are a list of 10 things I have heard all too many times, and quite frankly I wish people would just stop.

1. "You don't really have ADHD."

I really hope I do have ADHD, otherwise I would be confused to what my 10 page diagnosis of it is all about. The fact that you can't see ADHD seems to cause a lot of people to question whether or not I'm just lazy and pretending to be ADHD or maybe I'm just a chronic liar.

2. "Isn't ADHD just for boys in school?"

Isn't being annoying just for kids too? No? Oh, well that explains a lot. There is a stereotype that ADHD is something only young males have; however, when they kids grow up they do in fact still have ADHD, it's not just for kids. More importantly, women weren't diagnosed with ADHD until much later than men were. However, I would really appreciate it if people would just stop accusing of lying when I tell them I have ADHD. Why is it their first instinct?

3. "ADHD isn't a real thing!"

This exact sentence was told to me in a lecture by a peer when I told them that's why I wasn't paying attention. I still hate him for it and it's been over four years. I also hate that he already has a desk job and is doing fine; meanwhile I can't even show up on time. At least he's fugly looking.

4. "Isn't everybody a little ADHD sometimes?"

Actually, sure you could argue that. But please don't. Everyone loses their wallet sometimes and everyone gets distracted sometimes... but don't tell me that my problem isn't real when my entire life is chaos and a series of just barely making it by. Just because you lost your wallet once doesn't compare to my frantic life of constantly trying to remember where I lost my wallet.

I really wish I could explain to these people that by saying "we're all a little ADHD sometimes," they're also saying, "your problems really don't matter, we have lives too... also, your disability is a fraud."

5. "I think I have ADHD too because I get bored in class."

I have met a couple people who I am pretty sure have undiagnosed ADHD, but I have met dozens more who claim they have ADHD and just don't. If your life is going relatively well and you don't feel like screaming due to the disorganization in your house. Then you probably don't have ADHD, so please don't tear down my reasons for my messy room and general social awkwardness just so you can try to find a lazy way out of writing an essay.

6. "Can I have some of your meds to help me write this essay?"

No. If I sell you some then I will be short and I need these to get up in the morning and do things. No, really, I will sleep in to 5 PM if I don't have my meds and then get judged for it by my peers and family for being lazy... as if I actually have a choice?

7. "I don't get it, if you have ADHD then how come you can write essays?"

Apparently I can do this thing called 'hyper-focusing.' It's cool and it's the only reason I managed to finish my undergrad.

8. "You can't be ADHD because you're not hyper."

Actually, I can be strangely hyper sometimes. Also, I have ADHD inattentive, not ADHD hyperactive. But thank you for assuming we're all the same; no need to learn more about ADHD before accusing me of not even having it.

9. "You just need to try harder."

I'm late because I literally don't understand the concept of time. Why is it so important to you? I'm not late because I don't want to be here and I'm starting to get really annoyed with people accusing me of that I don't want to be in school or that I shouldn't be in school.

10. "You just need to practice 'sleep hygiene.'"

For the love of god, if I could have a normal sleep schedule I would. My meds have really helped and I am proud of myself. Also, it would be really great if my doctor believed that I have a problem instead of telling me that I just need to practice 'sleep hygiene'. Well, maybe she could practice normal hygiene a little more, too.

Thank you!

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