Friendship Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: ADHD, Empathy, and Showing Up Better
Featuring “Neuro-Spicy: Discussing ADHD with Dr. Kristin Carothers” | What Now? with Trevor Noah Podcast
Friendship gets complicated when adulthood hits. Add ADHD into the mix, and things can get misunderstood fast.
In a recent conversation, Trevor Noah sits down with an ADHD expert to unpack what ADHD actually looks like in real life — not the stereotypes, not the TikTok soundbites, but the lived experience. The episode goes beyond diagnosis and gets into something more important: how ADHD shapes relationships.
At +wellvyl, we care about this because social wellness starts with understanding how different nervous systems move through the world.
ADHD Isn’t a Character Flaw — It’s a Different Operating System
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is simple but powerful:
People with ADHD aren’t careless, flaky, or inconsiderate — their brains just process time, attention, and stimulation differently.
That missed text?
The forgotten plan?
The emotional overload?
Often, it’s not lack of care. It’s cognitive overload.
And when friends don’t understand that, resentment builds quietly on both sides.
Being a Better Friend to Someone With ADHD
This episode reminds us that support doesn’t mean fixing anyone. It means adjusting expectations.
That can look like:
- Being clear instead of passive
- Following up without guilt or sarcasm
- Naming needs directly instead of assuming they’re obvious
Social wellness isn’t about tolerance. It’s about learning how people actually function.
If You Have ADHD: Friendship Goes Both Ways
The conversation also speaks directly to people with ADHD. Awareness matters. So does accountability.
Healthy friendship means:
- Communicating limits early
- Acknowledging impact, even when intent was good
- Letting friends know what helps — and what doesn’t
Empathy isn’t one-directional. It’s mutual.
Why +wellvyl Is Featuring This
Because friendship isn’t about finding people who think like you.
It’s about learning how to stay connected despite differences.
In a world already dealing with loneliness, misunderstanding each other’s wiring only widens the gap.
This episode is a reminder that better friendships don’t require perfection — just curiosity, patience, and a little less judgment.
That’s social wellness in real life.
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