I always try to take people really seriously when they use one of these - if they don’t actually mean it, it often makes them realise they are being rude without being too confrontation/ making them too defensive.
Them: “I’m so ADHD haha”
Me: oh really? It’s actually quite common in this industry. Fast paced environment, constantly changing. It’s a great fit for…
Them: oh no not really, I just mean I’m a little distracted
Me: oh…. okay.
Them: ha….
…. yeah….
…
… Nevermind.
OR
Them: she was psychotic!
Me: she had a psychotic episode in the office? That must have been really scary for her and her colleagues. Did they make sure she got to a doctors/was able to get what she needed to feel a little better??
Them: oh no… I just mean she was angry…
Me: oh… okay.
……
:)
Normally I find people don’t mean any harm by it, and by just acting confused and having them explain it they often realise that what they said is actually really not okay.
If people accuse me of taking things too seriously I explain I come from a mental health background where people actually do talk about these disorders freely and openly, and it’s important to me that I take people at their word because I wouldn’t want to accidently laugh off someone’s struggles. Very rarely do they have anything to say to that.
