🌿 Sensory overload can affect anyone when they are overwhelmed by many types of stimuli, like sounds, visual details, or tactile sensations. For me, as someone with ADHD, this sensitivity is particularly strong. My ability to filter out distractions and focus on what’s important is often limited, which makes the effects of sensory overload even worse.

I often find myself in situations that seem completely normal to others but are overwhelming for me. The habits and expectations of those around me frequently clash with my own challenges and needs. Additionally, there are often biases, a lack of empathy, and a reluctance to understand my perspective and reality.

It would make a big difference if there was more willingness to recognize and understand my viewpoint.

Some might claim that it doesn’t matter what others think, but they overlook the fact that these attitudes directly impact my quality of life and the opportunities available to me. I do my best to make the most of what life offers to meet my needs. I accept that certain areas may be closed off to me because I have to, not because I believe it is right or good. Some things are like the weather because you can't really control them and you have to learn to dance in the rain.

I was excluded from my family because I did not meet their expectations, did not allow myself to be controlled and therefore appeared to be a threat.

The expulsion of an unwanted member by a family or group demonstrates strength and unity by elevating themselves above the expelled member.

False accusations are used to discredit the member and prevent them from gaining recognition or influence in another group. This tactic protects the original group from potential threats and strengthens its cohesion and power structure by avoiding internal conflicts and external hostile relations.

Evolution: Already in early tribal societies, expulsion was a pragmatic solution to safeguard the tribe. Instead of killing the member or keeping them nearby, which could provoke internal revenge acts and external threats, they just were banished. This allowed the expelled individual to seek a new existence in distant regions while minimizing the direct threat to the tribe and ensuring internal stability.

These behavioral patterns follow certain rules that have proven effective over the course of evolution to ensure the survival and stability of groups.

This is well described by anthropological, historical and social-psychological findings, and in its modern form still takes place today. But also the existence of alternative behaviors and ways of resolving conflicts.

Schopenhauer argued that human morality is often shaped by selfish motives and prejudices, and that human behavior in many cases is not fundamentally different from the behavior of animals.

There are groups that welcome my characteristics. They have a different culture and conduct internal disputes constructively. The fact that I was excluded says nothing about my qualities, but more about the inability of others to accept and love me as I am.

When opportunities for a new "tribal affiliation" arise, I address the reasons openly because I set the standard for what kind of treatment I will accept. Honesty and independence are more important to prevent experiencing the same negative situations in a new group that would again cost personal resources.

🐝 Busy like a bumblebee!

🌻 At 13, while living in a children’s home, I took the initiative to find my first job at a garden center, working a few hours each week, becoming the youngest in my family to seek and find employment independently. At 14, I moved to Hessen to live with my father and at 15 began working as a newspaper carrier, a job I held until I was 17. By then, I had completed internships as a bank clerk, gardener, and zookeeper. I also started teaching myself web programming and image editing at 14, followed by two internships at an advertising agency. By 22, I had completed my training as an IT specialist and by 23, I was active in local politics, serving on the board of a political youth organization for three years.

🧱 Due to health issues and related prejudices, finding jobs was challenging. For example, I worked as a deputy team leader in a security archive and also took on night shifts at a conveyor belt sorting station, despite the strain on my health due to the sensory overstimulation (ADHD). I also hold a forklift license and other certifications in warehousing and logistics, and have the endurance to handle more than 20,000 packages a day.

👾 Meanwhile, I earned professional qualifications in marketing and media design and now work as a full stack web developer and designer for print and digital media.

🌿 Despite unfounded accusations of laziness or drug use, I have never had the means or social context for regular drug use. I don't even drink alcohol. I have no criminal record, and ADHD is not a psychotic illness. I enjoy nature, photographing animals and plants, and pursuing my interests. When faced with accusations, I see them as reflections of others’ deficiencies, not my own worth.

🧩 Although we humans tend to divide the world into clear categories and fixed boundaries, our true strength lies in our diversity. Our species, rich in different traits and personalities, embodies the principle that makes life in all its forms successful: diversity. Each of us is unique, whether through our appearance, preferences, or emotions. We choose different words, react differently to joy or sorrow, and our relationships are as individual as we are.

☄️ Moreover, we are adaptable – what we like today may seem strange to us tomorrow. This continuous change reminds us that our attempts to organize the world into categories must always be open to expansion and adaptation. Instead of rigid boundaries, we need flexible frameworks that allow space for the unexpected.

🦖 However, understanding and appreciating diversity doesn’t mean we must accept everything indiscriminately. It's equally important to set clear boundaries and make decisions that align with our values and well-being. In dealing with others, we might approach each person with empathy and an open mind, but also with the wisdom to know when to stand firm and when to be flexible. True connection and growth come from balancing acceptance of others with respect for our own needs and principles.

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.

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.

In my last post, I talked about the reactions I’ve had because of my ADHD. Even today, almost twenty years after I first found out I have ADHD, I still face similar issues. My own family used to treat me like I was mentally ill. My half-brother and my cousin, who I almost never had contact with, deliberately reached out to people I knew to tell them about 'my illness' and supposed drug use. I was pushed away, both socially and by my own relatives. That was about ten years ago. It wasn’t that they directly said, 'We don’t want you anymore!,' but they treated me with so little respect and decency that I felt I had to distance myself to protect my self-worth. That was the smartest decision of my life, and I encourage anyone in a similar toxic situation to consider doing the same. I find my happiness and contentment within myself, in nature, and with all the kind people who give me hope.

Not only was that extremely hurtful, but it also caused lasting damage to my reputation, because it obviously carries weight when people who are supposedly close to me make such claims. Even today, I can still counter such allegations. That's why it's important to be careful with such claims.

ADHD often comes with a lot of positive traits, like thinking in unconventional and flexible ways, and yes, I can even use my impulsiveness in a good way. While I might not be able to go to bars or other crowded places with too much sensory input, you can have a wonderful time with me in nature or enjoy some creative fun. I might not be able to do every job, but what I can do, I do really well. My self-worth has never depended on what others think of me, and that’s exactly why I’ve often clashed with people. Even in school, people tried to make me believe I had low self-esteem because I didn’t follow the crowd. But by not doing so, I actually showed the opposite of what they tried to project onto me. Life is too beautiful to waste it on feeling ashamed for others. If you meet me in the tall grass, get ready to be tackled! 🌾👀🌿

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.

🤍🖖

Why would I change what I enjoy so much. Life is like a toilet bowl, sometimes you have to scrub. Still, it's good to have one. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 20. That brings impulsiveness and sensory overload, but also a lot of creativity and fun. It hasn't made my life better or worse, it's made it as unique as any other. Look what an attractive moon I am!🌝

📆📸 06/08/16/18/06/07