Hello, frens!
Or should that be “awooo, frens”? 🐺
Y’know those moments where you meet someone who just "gets" you?
Like you share an unspoken connection.
They share life experiences that are scarily similar to your own - which is rare.
You could be miles apart, yet you can still feel what they’re feeling, without speaking. You might even have particularly good / bad days at the same time.
It’s got to be some sort of magic, right?. 🔮
All done? ✅ Okayyyyyyy let’s go.
If you consume ADHD content regularly, you’ve likely heard that Neurodivergent individuals have a habit of “finding each other” - even when they don’t know themselves that they are Neurodivergent.
It might sound like a myth, but there are *actual* reasons behind this phenomenon! Let’s take a look at some of them:
1. Shared experiences & common traits / symptoms.
ADHD is characterised by 3 different subtypes:
Hyperactive / Impulsive ⚡️, Inattentive 💭, and Combined-type ⚡️💭.
While each subtype has it’s own unique traits & symptoms, there are a lot of crossover traits too - such as executive function issues, time management, learning difficulties and so on.
This means that individuals with ADHD often face similar challenges when navigating daily life; and particularly in undiagnosed ADHD, there can be a lot of shared difficulties / trauma - due to growing up within the same regimented systems. Square peg. Round hole.
2. Empathy & understanding.
Having faced judgement and misconceptions about their behaviour and abilities throughout their lives, individuals with ADHD tend to be more empathetic and accepting of others who share their experiences.
ADHDers know exactly how it feels to be rejected for being who they are. When they meet someone who faces the same challenges that they face daily, they’re likely to make a safe and welcoming environment for each other.
They might even create a community. 🙋🏼♂️🙋🏼♀️
Meeting someone who not only shares a lot of the challenges you face, but also welcomes and accepts you for who you are, is a surefire way to create a mutual bond that is stronger & far more profound than your *regular* friendship.
3. Unique communication styles.
Despite what the keyboard warriors say - our Neurotypes influence the way we communicate. 🗣️
Who’d have thought?!
People with ADHD can often speak quickly and go on tangents (x10000). It’s also common for ADHDers to use animated body language - especially when they’re given the space to openly discuss their thoughts and ideas. Put two ADHDers in a room together, and you have a recipe for a super dynamic & engaging conversation!
So there you have it…
There’s a lot to be said about how shared experiences can bring people together; and we have no doubt that this is a massive contributor to the Neurodivergent movement on social media.
If it weren’t for us both taking to social media to share our experiences, we never would have met! We’d never have become such good friends, and Hey!DHD wouldn’t have been born through our shared dream of creating a safe & welcoming space for ADHDers.
Especially given the current ADHD medication shortages, it’s important that we remember:
There is a huge difference between an increase in ADHD prevalence 🚫, and an increase in ADHD awareness ✅.
It’s estimated that there are 2 million people in the UK with ADHD who are not diagnosed.
[Statistics from ADHD UK]
So if you feel like you’re surrounded by people with ADHD… there’s probably a reason for that, my friend.
I’m kidding of course! Well, kinda. Maybe 68% kidding.
Thanks so much for joining us for today’s post, fam!
Hope you have a lovely week ahead.
Chris & Sarah
Hey!DHD