#tdah

that f bird that i hate

some practice because this obsession is coming back and he's always been a favourite of mine

Several posts explain how "Hikaru" can be read as an autistic character, or as someone who displays symptoms of ADHD or BPD. Here, I would like to focus on the broader idea that "Hikaru" is an excellent representation of neurodivergence, whatever form it may take, because the "symptoms" of neurodivergence are the product of a mismatch, a misalignment between the individual and the world they have to live in.

Source

In the same way that some people reject a gay reading of the relationship between Yoshiki and "Hikaru" because "Hikaru" is not human (and therefore not truly a boy), some argue that we cannot diagnose "Hikaru" with anything because he is not human (and therefore not subject to the same emotional and cognitive processes). But the fact that "Hikaru" is not human should not prevent the viewer/reader from seeing themselves in him, from identifying with him and projecting themselves onto him. After all, one of the manga’s themes is precisely that "Hikaru's" "monstrosity" doesn't place him as far from humanity (from us) as it seems.

"Hikaru’s" "monstrosity" works as a perfect metaphor for neurodivergence for three reasons. The first is that his "monstrosity" is not a choice: it is something that exists independently of his will and something he has to live with while trying to belong to a world that was not made for him. The second reason is that his "monstrosity" is inseparable from who he is: his experience of the world happens through and with his "monstrosity", in the same way that neurodivergence is an essential part of who a person is. The third reason is that "Hikaru’s" "monstrosity" mirrors the way neurodivergent people are often perceived: strange, out of place, outside the norm.

When Yoshiki tells "Hikaru" he doesn’t want him to force himself to become human, it can be understood as Yoshiki not wanting "Hikaru" to betray who he is just to fit into a box or blend in. Even if staying true to himself means he won’t fit into society any better, Yoshiki likes “Hikaru” that way. This is why "Hikaru" being accepted by Yoshiki takes on such a special meaning: he has found someone who doesn’t force him to fit into mental patterns that are foreign to him, someone who allows him to be himself without masking (while with the other classmates, he tries to conform to the image they have of the old Hikaru), someone who appreciates him not despite his difference, but with it.

Being accepted helps us accept who we are, stop blaming ourselves, and stop seeing ourselves as a mistake. If someone loves us as we are, then maybe we do have a place here after all. This is why "Hikaru" sees Yoshiki as his home, the only place where he feels he has a right to exist as he is. Because in a sense, to be part of this world is to be part of a community, and living alone feels pointless, almost defeating the very purpose of life.

It’s also why "Hikaru" is particularly attached to Yoshiki, almost obsessed: when you’ve never been desired and have even been rejected for who you are your entire life, the moment you finally experience someone’s acceptance, it becomes hard not to cling to it, even to the point of addiction.

You're going to end up asleep/doomscrolling and then 5 hours will pass and you'll end your day with anxiety and guilt.

Bc Andy is everywhere at the same time and social norms? What’s that?

She’s a rambunctious child who could never be tamed and I’m all here for it!

The Yanderes are going to suffer a LOT with Andy in general, because keeping her still, entertained, and focused on them is going to be practically impossible.

And the worst part is that she won't even be doing it on purpose. They could be desperately trying to get her attention while Andy is thinking about ten different things at once, noticing something happening on the other side of the room, getting distracted by some random noise, and somehow starting three different activities without even realizing it.

And that is going to be a huge problem for the Yanderes, because they want Andy's attention focused on them. Meanwhile, Andy's brain will be like: “Oh, look, a butterfly! Wait, what was I saying? Oh! I just remembered something completely unrelated...”

They're going to have to learn very quickly that simply telling her “pay attention” isn't going to magically make her focus.

In fact, they're going to need to learn a LOT about ADHD and how to interact with someone who has it. They'll have to learn how to keep her engaged without constantly trying to suppress the way her brain works.

And yes, they'll probably discover that giving her things she can become hyperfocused on will be one of the easiest ways to keep her entertained. If they don't give her something interesting enough to capture her attention, they will have absolutely no chance of keeping her still.

Although, honestly, I think some Yanderes would have a much easier time handling Andy than others. Jamil and Jade would probably be among the ones who know how to handle her best, precisely because they've spent so much time dealing with people who function in a similar way and know how to adapt to them.

And then there are Kalim and Floyd.

I have a feeling those two probably have ADHD as well, so in their case it would be even funnier because they probably wouldn't need to study very much to understand Andy.

Kalim and Floyd would basically be like: “Why would I need to learn how to handle her? She works exactly like me!”

While Jamil and Jade would have experience dealing with people like that, Kalim and Floyd would simply be used to it because they're just as chaotic themselves.

So yes... they're going to need that enchanted book called “How to Properly Care for a Darling with ADHD.”