neurodiverse
What is Neurodivergence?
It's ADHD, Autism, OCD, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, bi-polar, aspd, etc etc etc etc
“neurologically atypical patterns of thought or behavior”
So, it’s very broad, if you feel like it describes you then it does as far as we're concerned
Rules
1.) ableist language=post or comment will probably get removed (enforced case by case, some comments will be removed and restored due to complex situations). repeated use of ableist language=banned from comm and possibly site depending on severity. properly tagged posts with CW can use them for the purposes of discussing them
2.) always assume good faith when dealing with a fellow nd comrade especially due to lack of social awareness being a common symptom of neurodivergence
2.5) right to disengage is rigidly enforced. violations will get you purged from the comm. see rule 3 for explanation on appeals
3.) no talking over nd comrades about things you haven't personally experienced as a neurotypical chapo, you will be purged. If you're ND it is absolutely fine to give your own perspective if it conflicts with another's, but do so with empathy and the intention to learn about each other, not prove who's experience is valid. Appeal process is like appealing in user union but you dm the nd comrade you talked over with your appeal (so make it a good one) and then dm the mods with screenshot proof that you resolved it. fake screenies will get you banned from the site, we will confirm with the comrade you dm'd.
3.5) everyone has their own lived experiences, and to invalidate them is to post cringe. comments will be removed on a case by case basis depending on determined level of awareness and faith
4.) Interest Policing will not be tolerated in any form. Support your comrades in their joy!
Further rules to be added/ rules to be changed based on community input
RULES NOTE: For this community more than most we understand that the clarity and understandability of these rules is very important for allowing folks to feel comfortable, to that end please don't be afraid to be outspoken about amendments and addendums to these rules, as well as any we may have missed
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I've spent most of my life masking so hard that I have managed to lead what most people would call a "competent" life, at the cost of my mental health, my sense of self-worth and my social interactions because I constantly feel I'm a faker and that people are going to find me out. It's gotten so bad that I'm working with my therapist to allow myself to exist without masking, and to allow myself to be happy for the first time in my life.
When I hear stories about people struggling so much harder than me, having difficulty holding jobs, or in education, my low self-esteem makes me downplay my own struggles, and the very real damage that forcing myself to live masking has done. Yeah I can sort of navigate social situations, but that leaves me drained, exhausted and feeling like shit. I can concentrate sometimes, but only if the stars align correctly. I want to fidget and move, but I know that people would think I'm weird for doing that, so I force myself not to.
I feel lucky for the privileges I've had, and how my neurodivergence has panned out wrt life, but I have to remind myself that I'm not doing great, even if I try to convince everyone and myself that I am fine.