Dr. Stephanie Sarkis

But being a person with ADHD, I call people.

Usually I err on the side of I overcompensate where I show up early or right on time.

But if I am running late, I immediately let the person know.

And I think that's part of the difference is if you have ADHD, it doesn't mean that you don't do the social work.

stuff that we need to do to let people know, you know, common courtesy stuff.

ADHD doesn't mean that you don't do that stuff.

I think you can also go the other way, too, that sometimes when a friend will say, oh, this must be your ADHD again, just kind of laughing it off.

And to the person with ADHD, it can be quite hurtful because we wouldn't do that with other medical issues.

No, we wouldn't make fun of someone with diabetes or for having poor eyesight, you know, like you and I do.

But I mean, yeah, I mean, because we're so used to it by now.

Right, right.

But it's something where it doesn't mean that just because you can't see it, that it's okay to joke about it.

I think that's something that the person with ADHD can determine whether that's okay with them or not.

And it depends on the person, the relationship.

So I think it kind of goes both ways that we both just need to be kind with each other.

And if there's a line that's been crossed, say it.

And people with ADHD generally really appreciate someone being direct with them and letting them know.

I don't think anybody's fault.

I think it's just learning a new way of navigating things.

And it might also be that the person that she was late was embarrassed and they were in front of other people.