This is something Iā€™m only just recently coming to understand has been a lifelong source of interpersonal problems for me, and omfg it seems so fucking omnipresent.

Why does everyone get so mad when I ask why/how about something?!

I learned a few years ago that sometimes people feel judged by my questions (???), and so Iā€™ve tried to super, ultra sugarcoat them. Iā€™ve tried even harder since getting medicated for ADHD, because I have the mental space now to preface my carefully stated questions with assurances that I am only trying to understand, not indict.

It doesnā€™t feel like itā€™s getting me anywhere, and Iā€™m starting to wonder if itā€™s an unreasonable expectation? Is it silly to think that questioning motives or reasoning could ever be non-offensive? It doesnā€™t bother me to explain my motives or reasoning - fuck, itā€™s a fucking relief, please oh fuck let me explain - but I know Iā€™m NotLikeOtherGirlsā„¢

This happens most when the person Iā€™m asking has no good answer - itā€™s like my asking ā€œbut why?ā€ makes them realize there was no reasoning at all, which wasnā€™t the smartest course, and then feel guilty about not thinking it through.

That is never what I expect to happen - I donā€™t ask why if I think thereā€™s no reason. If Iā€™m asking, itā€™s not because I think youā€™re stupid, itā€™s because I think Iā€™m stupid for not catching on. I respect you and your judgement, so if youā€™re doing something that seems confusing to me, I assume thereā€™s a good reason that I just donā€™t understand yet, and I really really want to understand!

Iā€™m just hoping to get clued in. I genuinely keep thinking there is some reason for whatever confusing behavior or action. I am just asking so I can get on the same page.

The very act of asking is unfortunately not giving me any answers; it seems to be antagonizing instead. ā€œI donā€™t have a good reason and fuck you for making me admit it!ā€ ???!?

Anybody relate?

What do?