ADHD/autism/etc. and justice sensitivity (beehaw.org)

submitted 1 year ago by balerion@beehaw.org to c/neurodivergence@beehaw.org

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ADHD and autism are both strongly correlated with justice sensitivity. If you need an explanation for what that is, here's a quote from this article:

Justice sensitivity is the tendency to notice and identify wrong-doing and injustice and have intense cognitive, emotional, and behavioral reactions to that injustice. People who are justice sensitive tend to notice injustice more often than others, they tend to ruminate longer and more intensely on that injustice, and they feel a stronger need to restore justice.

Do y'all experience this? If so, how does it manifest?

For me, I can't see injustice and do nothing. Failing to stand up for my beliefs makes me hate myself, and I'll usually do it even if I know it's a bad idea or I'm surrounded by people who disagree--if anything, I feel more compelled to do it then. Since some of my beliefs are wildly unpopular, this often winds up in me feeling ostracized, rejected, and depressed.

I don't know what to do about this. I can't just not stand up for what I believe in--it's clearly the right thing to do. But it's a deeply unpleasant experience I keep repeating. I'll choose standing up for my beliefs over not being hurt if I have to, but that doesn't make it fun.

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[-] Mummelpuffin@beehaw.org 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

On one hand- This is a good trait, sort of?

On the other- On an aircraft, if you're in a situation where oxygen masks drop, you're always reminded to put your own mask on first before helping others with their own masks. If you did it the other way around you'd likely pass out and not help anyone.

I've been using meditation to train the less controllable parts of my brain to shut up when I need them to. It's been said that mindfulness meditation can make people more selfish, but if I'm passing out trying to help other people, the best thing I can do for my community is to first make sure that I'm a self-sufficient human being physically, mentally and materially.

Since some of my beliefs are wildly unpopular, this often winds up in me feeling ostracized, rejected, and depressed.

In this case, the phrase "speak softly, but carry a big stick" sometimes applies. If you're somewhere where there's enough cultural / social resistance to an idea, particularly among lots of people, you're probably not going to get anywhere, as you've already found. Potential alternatives include talking to individuals when you're able, helping individuals when you're able, if only by letting them know they're not totally alone, and by operating on that oxygen mask principle again. If no one's gonna do anything, sometimes you need to do it yourself, but it might take a long time to get there.

[-] Latebloomerbetty@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago

This was really well said. I second it.

Our society can be, at times, so unjust and irrational. Two of my biggest mental health nemesis’s in life. And two of the things my NT friends and family don’t understand why I get so fixated on. I feel like I’m screaming into a dark void when they don’t understand my concern— because, the way I see it, if everyone cared about injustice even half as much as I do/did, the world would be an incredibly kind, safe, beautiful place to be.

Before I started therapy and meds I was literally driving myself batshit insane feeling completely out of control all the time. I had to learn to redirect my energy on what I actually could control: my mental self-care, and being emotionally healthy enough to help those in my social onion layer who need it.

I’m sorry we have to feel this way. And I truly hope anyone who can relate to this finds some solace and new wisdoms about it. Much love.