August 20, 2026

"Look, I’d also be annoyed if touch of the ’tism TikTok were a regular feature of my offline conversations..."

"... but you’re right to laugh off your friends’ commentary if you can. It’s not worth wading into the quagmires awaiting you otherwise: conversations that assume and/or stigmatize a given condition’s symptoms and signs; declamations about the societal perils of self-diagnosing online, especially when it’s possible someone in your cohort has done exactly that; and any number of other headaches."

Writes the NY Magazine advice columnist, answering a letter in "My Friends Are Always Trying to Diagnose Me With Something!"

8 comments:

n.n said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
n.n said...

A basket of symptoms is ambrosia for the sympathetic, empathetic, narcissistic to devour, fear, and relish.

Smilin' Jack said...

"My Friends Are Always Trying to Diagnose Me With Something!"

I prescribe new friends.

Disparity of Cult said...

4 types, 7 habits, 8 traits. And doctor lady wants to explain narcissism vs narcissistic personality disorder. "Don't recommend this channel".

Narr said...

"My friends are always trying to diagnose me with something."

'I prescribe new friends' Excellent, Smilin' Jack!

Especially when you can get so much input from strangers on the internet.

s'opihjerdt said...

I prefer that folks who I am tempted to diagnose not be my friends at all.

Big Mike said...

Article is behind a paywall, but it seems to me that Smilin’ Jack is right — those aren’t really your friends.

Lem Vibe Bandit said...

This guy sounds good. That is, I relate to some if not most of the things he's talking about. Link to YouTube channel

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