Adults with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence

Who doesn't have the image of the hyperactive wild child in mind when ADHD is mentioned? Who has any idea that a withdrawn, shy, brilliant scientist or artist pays for her genius with many social deficits? Who has ever heard of masking or coping, which often makes it possible for us to remain "unrecognized" with a great deal of effort?

Who knows that overload leads to withdrawal or stimming, meltdown or shutdown when there is no opportunity? Who is aware that depression, anxiety, addictions etc. only become a consequence of predisposition when an unsuitable environment causes them?

Many people who are not affected have clever advice which, in ignorance of the manifestations and backgrounds, brings more suffering than help. Other little dreamers doze away on the fringes of society, appreciated by everyone for their quietness and helpfulness, but no one notices the inner torment of those who are merely the quiet manifestation or good camouflage of the same genetic predisposition.

But does the supposed disorder suddenly "disappear" when you get your driver's license? Many of those affected take the opportunity to shape their environment to suit themselves from the age of 18. But for others, is a legal auto-medication with nicotine, alcohol and caffeine the reason why those affected are better able to adapt to their environment?

In the adult group, those affected find a protected environment who were either diagnosed and treated as children or only found the explanation for the many oddities of their previous lives in late adulthood. Neurodivergence here refers to a deviation from the predisposition of the majority of a neurodiverse society, which often has a different name than "ADHD", but strikingly similar characteristics and consequences.

From school dropouts and students to greying professors, disabled pensioners, farmers, teachers, doctors, therapists, craftspeople, etc., the spectrum of people affected ranges from those who meet every three weeks at IKOS. The dialog is characterized by an exchange on a wide variety of topics and the acceptance of the peculiarities of those affected.
The description of problems that those who are not affected know nothing about and rarely understand usually results in a "I know that too!" from the listeners. Experiences and previous solutions are revealed and questioned with interest among those affected.