How to explain disorders to new people?

Question

I've never really had a problem with this before; people never used to be so touchy-feely or loud or scary, but since I started year 10 people have just gotten really intimidating, and they keep triggering panic attacks or being hostile towards me when I get upset over things that are normal to them.

But if I explain my disorders, 1 they might think I'm whining about it and 2, they might not believe me and 3, they might not even know what they are. Please suggest how I can approach this next time I need to?

I have Asperger's Syndrome, ADD, Synesthesia and social anxiety.

? · Accepted Answer

I personally, wouldn't explain everything to new people that I meet, but if there is a situation and they need to know or question you, then you could give them a brief summary of what is bothering you and why.
If they are being loud, then just tell them that you have sensitive hearing and find it difficult to concentrate when there are loud noises.
If they are being rude to you when you react to things differently then they would, you could just say that you have social anxiety, or you could say that 
If they don't believe you, them that's their problem.  If they accuse you of complaining, just ignore them 
because they are either insensitive, or they just don't know what it's like.

I wonder what their reactions would be if they were bombarded by flashes of color and light whenever a fire alarm goes off....

I think that the only thing they wouldn't know about is synesthesia.  If you need to explain it, just say that you have a harmless neurological anomaly that causes your senses to clash.  Maybe try to explain that at least 4% of the population has it, which is also about the percentage of red headed people in the world.  That way they have something to compare it to.

How to explain disorders to new people?

1 Answer