I see this on Imgur and Bluesky as well. Here's a great example, and the one that prompted me to finally ask. My daughter has autism and ADHD. She takes speed to slow down. Best friend is ADHD, same deal. But they're basically "normal" people. I'm truly sorry is this comes off as insensitive.
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It's normal to be aware of how people perceive us. We are apes. Need I elaborate?
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We ALL mess up more when someone is watching. Forget the word, but it's a well-known psychological tic.
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Yes, we all conform and hide parts of ourselves in public, doesn't mean you can't "be yourself". Want to see someone who doesn't mask at all? Trump.
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If you're not aware of threats, Darwin would like a word. And yes, many things we perceive as threats are dumb monkey perceptions. We're all silly in this way.
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Uh, I double check my door locks. Not paranoid, but my situation in America makes that a simple, smart move. Some people live around lots of strangers, checking your private space is a normal thing.
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We all hate being stared at. That's a monkey threat. We evolved that way.
The "suspicious sounds" thing is the only part I'd pick out as a bit strange. But who hasn't jumped when the ice maker kicks in? I've often thought someone crawled in the dog door. (A bear did one time, a hybrid wolf another, so let me slide on that one.)
I can go on /c/autism and pick 100 other memes for examples. Almost every single thing I see there, "Yeah, we all go though that/feel that way/do that thing." Here's one:
https://piefed.cdn.blahaj.zone/posts/6k/Lb/6kLbDigyQuftk4k.jpg
Doesn't everyone do that now and again?! I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.
Serious questions:
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Does lemmy have an above normal number of autistic/ADHD people?
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Is this perception a way for young people to feel special and different?
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Maybe young people don't realize just how fucking weird growing up is and think they have a problem?
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Do people not realize that even after adulthood, we all have weird foibles?
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Are people so socially isolated that they think their weird thoughts are uncommon?
Just want to start the discussion. Help me understand.
Please do not call ADHD medication "speed". It is chemically different from what you would find on the street. (Methylphenadate != Methamphetamine)
Associating doctor-perscribed medication with illegal drugs perpetuates a stigma which creates many problems for people struggling with ADHD.
Adderall is made from amphetamine salts. It literally is a form of speed. Note that the term speed is used to refer to both amphetamine and methamphetamine. You are thinking of ritalin which is indeed different. All of these including methylphenidate are classified/scheduled substances in the US and UK. So very much are illegal if you don't have a prescription.
Stop spreading misinformation. You can destigmatize ADHD and ADHD medications without spreading falsehoods. Probably destigmatizing amphetamine which isn't really that dangerous to begin with would help.
Please refrain from mischaracterizing my comment. I clearly state that I am talking about Methylphenadate, as found in Concerta and Ritalin, and highlighting its distinction from the street drug Methamphetamine. There are many different medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD including some that are classically known as antidepressants, anti-anxiety, and antipsychotics.
I did not claim they were not controlled substances, but I insist that any medication prescribed by a doctor should not be referred to by a street shorthand. This increases the likelyhood of abuse and benefits no one.
So you do clearly state that you're talking about methylphenidate, but also, the way you said 'please do not call ADHD medication "speed"' and then elaborated that methylphenidate != methamphetamine sorta implies you think all ADHD medication is methylphenidate.
I do just call Elvanse "amphetamine" when talking to my friends about my meds (Elvanse, so it's actually lisdexamfetamine). I find that it actually destigmatizes these medications when you can have a laugh about things like saying "oh I'm gonna take my legal amphetamine now".
I will admit that most of my experience is with methylphenidate because that is what I am prescribed. I am not familiar with amphetamines. The original post did not specify which type of medication it was (they just said "speed"), so I felt it was a generalized term.
You said ADHD medication. Adderall is a popular type of ADHD medication. Doctor approved or not does not change what it physically is, and I know of people with ADHD who refer to it as speed. You are white knighting over something while ignoring both the actual neurodivergent community and the physical reality just so you can feel correct and morally superior. As an actual neurodivergent person I take issue with your attitude and willingness to spread misleading information.
I also know there are people who abuse Adderall either through diversion or by abusing legitimately prescribed medication for their legitimately diagnosed ADHD. On the other side are people who self-medicate with street drugs as that can be easier and cheaper than doing it the societally approved way. Nothing is as simple as you are making out.
Alright now you can fuck all the way off. I've been diagnosed and treated for more than half of my life. I've dealt with family members, employers, even DOCTORS who dismiss my disability because they see ADHD afflicted people as nothing more than "pill poppers who can't function without their SPEED". I've had to buy a safe to secure my meds to prevent them from being stolen by my roommate's guests who think they're just an easy way to study for their exams. I've had to get drug tested by my doctor every 6 months just to continue qualifying for my perscription. So FORGIVE ME for having a PERSONAL ISSUE with how MY MEDICATION IS CHARACTERIZED.
If you have ADHD and can get away with calling your medication "speed" or "meth", fine. How fortunate for you that your access to your medication is so secure and consistent that you can joke about it.
There are ways to talk about these things without needing to mislead people. Frankly I don't think that denying that some ADHD medications are indeed amphetamines or even methamphetamine (see desoxyn) is going to help in the long run. If anything lying about it is just going to make people trust you less. I didn't think anyone was even calling methylphenidate speed anyway.
Oh and for the record I have never had the privilege of being medicated as when I was being diagnosed you couldn't officially have both Autism and ADHD, and in my case one apparently took priority over the other. So if I want to even explore that I would have to go back to a doctor and be re-evaluated even though it says right on my psych report form when I was 4 suspected ADHD. Go figure.
I don't care. Just don't call it speed.