Unusual sight: Self-empowerment in men is often met with resistance. This resistance stems from the perception that men are already dominant and favored, and there’s a prevailing expectation for them to always appear strong. I find that such views have some weaknesses, especially in terms of compassion, communication and, above all, health. My open approach to discussing emotions and vulnerabilities is a testament to strength and compassion.

Approximately 7 to 10 percent of people have ADHD, with men being disproportionately affected. I see no danger in expressing my authenticity and openness. You cannot accuse me of anything I don’t already acknowledge about myself. In fact, those who cling to outdated gender roles are often breeding their own tormentors. In a society where individuals are afraid to be themselves, manipulation and deception become the only means of survival.

Having experienced the consequences of such behavior in my own life, I have developed a strong aversion to it. By being open about my emotions and struggles, I create an environment where others can feel comfortable doing the same. This openness helps to create healthier relationships, greater self-awareness, and genuine connections.

It’s time to reject these outdated norms and create an inclusive society where all people can live authentically without fear of judgment or rejection. My journey represents a step toward this change and serves as a call to others to embrace their true selves.

Showing myself as I do in the picture is symbolic of my courage, because everyone in my neighborhood and the whole world can see me like this. Do I care if I fulfill your expectations or if I am criticized? Not really. I follow the community guidelines and do what I want.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

The term "mental illness" is outdated and is no longer used in modern medicine and psychology. When laypeople use this term, they usually refer to severe mental disorders that involve significant impairments in thinking, perception, or behavior. Examples of this would include schizophrenia, severe bipolar disorders, or severe depression*.

*Without me saying that this term is actually true in these cases, as it depends on the context (see below).

However, ADHD does not fall under this term. As mentioned in previous posts, it is considered a neurological developmental disorder or a mental disorder, but not a "mental illness" in the classic, outdated sense.

I do not want to put myself above those affected by severe mental disorders, but a distinction is important. It’s crucial that this distinction does not contribute to further stigmatization or hierarchies among different conditions. Each condition, whether severe or not, can have a significant impact on an individual’s life and deserves recognition and respect.

However, my experience has shown that this outdated terminology is often used in private contexts to gaslight and discredit. Because this distinction has not been widely understood in people's minds, it has the potential to cause significant damage.

For example, to exercise power and control in a toxic context. Instead of dealing with the criticized behavior, perception and well-being are addressed. Often with the final sentence: "You are ill!"

Modern terminology is more precise and avoids the stigmatizing connotations associated with terms like "mental illness". Instead, professionals refer to mental disorders or conditions, with specific categories varying depending on the diagnosis.

The term "disorder" is value-free and simply describes that it is a deviation.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

There’s another misunderstanding that I want to address: the assumption that a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) automatically means a person has a heightened desire for attention. In reality, the term "attention deficit" refers to the difficulty in being attentive and focusing, and in some cases, it’s about balancing between hyperactivity and hypoactivity - meaning swings between high energy and low energy.

This misunderstanding is often reinforced by the fact that people with ADHD naturally draw more attention because of their deviation from the norm - what is often labeled as a "disorder." Unconventional thoughts and behaviors naturally stand out more than what is considered "normal". It’s perfectly natural for people to try to make sense of these differences. How they interpret these situations, however, is crucial. Often, people project their own experiences and expectations onto what they observe.

Yes, I do attract attention on Instagram, and I do so intentionally. I use my uniqueness to actually draw attention because I’ve realized it can help me gain reach for this project. However, reducing my activities to simply seeking attention is condescending and says more about others' perceptions than about my intentions.

In reality, I invest a lot of work into this project. It’s clear that the focus is on biocultural diversity. My approach is fundamentally different from the typical self-promotion you see with vacation photos and personal experiences. My goal is to highlight the importance of biocultural diversity, not to put myself in the spotlight.

An important aspect of this is recognizing that neurodiversity is also a vital part of natural biodiversity. Just as the diversity of species in an ecosystem strengthens and enriches it, so too does the diversity of minds within our society. My creativity, combined with my personality and the valuable experiences I share, serves as a vehicle for this broader message: the significance of our natural world, its smallest inhabitants, and the diverse ways we all contribute to it.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

Hi there! 🙃 Today I want to tell you something about what the society around me means in relation to my ADHD. First of all, reactions to my condition can be categorized into three basic types:

1) Understanding individuals

2) People who deny the existence of ADHD or attribute it to everyone (it doesn't exist, everyone has it)

3) People who either cannot or will not realize the difference between ADHD and mental illness

It must first be clarified:
ADHD exists, and no, not everyone has it. There are many different manifestations, so those affected should be taken seriously when they talk about the difficulties they face, as well as their abilities.

ADHD is not a mental illness. A person with ADHD does not have a defective cog in their gear, as some (sometimes intentionally) misunderstand. ADHD is a neurological developmental disorder that is quite complex but has nothing at all to do with mental illnesses.

I am glad that there are some people who belong to the first group. As a social being, I, like everyone else, rely on understanding and acceptance. 🥰

However, the other two groups represent a burden:

When people deny the existence of such a disorder, everything falls into the category of character/personality. Symptoms that are difficult or impossible to control are used to paint a negative picture of the personality. The affected person receives no support and cannot change it themselves or not sufficiently. This often leads to depression or even suicide due to isolation and failure.

By equating ADHD with a mental illness, the affected person is practically denied everything. One no longer needs to take seriously what the affected person does or says. The affected person tries their best to address issues but is only laughed at, and behind their back, it's said that they are ill and - at best - to avoid hurting their feelings, people pretend to take them seriously. This essentially has the same consequences as the previous point about denying the existence of ADHD, but adds a more insidious layer.

🤍🖖

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.