It's internalized ableism related to being told their whole lives they're so smart and talented if only they weren't so lazy. We're extremely capable - sometimes. The rest of the time we struggle at the most basic of everyday tasks that normal people find trivial. Now combine that with late diagnosis. That's a lot of years being told you should be better and wondering why you're not. At the very least, it's an extremely specific kind of low self esteem.

It may not be solely caused by dopamine levels, but the experience is common among many ADHD sufferers and our brain chemistry does predispose us to responding to that in certain ways (which is why we can break out of that pattern more easily when medicated).

[–] Charlxmagne@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Wouldn't personally call it disabled, moreso disadvantaged mentally, setback. Unlike disabled people we're more than capable of doing most things, it's just a mental hurdle to do the same things as a NT with the same efficiency. Kind of like being left handed in a right handed world mentally but 10x worse, society doesn't seem to be able to cope or bear with people with ADHD very well.

[–] littlewonder@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

ADHD is literally a disability...

[+] Charlxmagne@lemmy.world -1 points 1 day ago (3 children)

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[–] Ibuthyr@lemmy.wtf 1 points 18 hours ago

Mate, in Germany I could even apply for a disability status. Medication doesn't magically cure you, it just helps. Some people have it so severely, that they can't function without help from someone. One of my best friends is like that. Meds help but he has high blood pressure so he can't take them. You're saying he isn't disabled? That is fucking wild man.

[–] littlewonder@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Disorders can be disabilities.
Medication and disabilities are not opposites of each other.
Disabilities are a spectrum, yes. If you have ADHD and don't personally want to consider yourself disabled, then fine. But don't go telling everyone that ADHD isn't a disability at all.

ADHD is literally listed as an example on the CDC page about disabilities. https://www.cdc.gov/disability-and-health/about/index.html

[–] moakley@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

You seem to be misunderstanding what disability means. ADHD is recognized all over the world as a disability. It is literally a disability.

There are different degrees of disability. Just because someone can function doesn't mean they don't have a disability. You mentioned arthritis. Many people with arthritis can do most things, just with difficulty. Medication can also help them. They're still disabled.