Misunderstood Adult ADHD

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/mental_health/article7088139.ece

Great article but interesting how the attitude towards ADD / ADHD seems to be different in the UK than it is here in the States. The prevailing attitude I've experienced here is that certainly it exists, but that it's misunderstood and somewhat over diagnosed. From the article and the comments following, I would assume it's rather under diagnosed over there, although it still seems to be widely misunderstood.

It's actually really interesting to me what an outcry there is over ADHD treatment. It seems to center around the feeling that there is "something wrong with" a person with ADHD. The ADHD person, when diagnosed, seems to frequently say to him or herself either "that's what's wrong!" (in relief) or "There's nothing wrong with me!" (in outrage).

Those relieved that they now "know what's wrong" seem to be OK with the idea of taking a prescription drug to "fix it," where others who react with "there's nothing wrong!" either ignore it totally or go towards alternative solutions like life coaching and dietary changes.

( Of course these are very general opinions formed based on personal experience, reading, chatting with other parents, etc. I'm not claiming to be accurate or authoritative. Just imho. )

It's funny though that people seem to need to have it be one way or the other. Why, I wonder? Why can't we just say, it's not "something wrong" or "not wrong," it just is what it is for each individual person; each individual person needs to recognize their individual symptoms and deal with them in whatever way allows them to be successful, as measured by the criteria which are important to them personally? And why, as always, do we need to impose our choices for what works for us and for what we do or don't experience as symptoms on everyone else?

We went to see the animated film How to Train Your Dragon this weekend, and I have to say, I am impressed. Really, really impressed. I don't say this often, folks, especially for Disney, which can be a bit formulaic. It gets to the point where if you know the main characters, you figure you know what's going to happen almost line-by-line without the time involved in actually watching it.

This was completely different, especially seen from my point of view as a parent of children with disabilities. The whole movie has a "So you have a disability, so what? Get out there and do it anyway" kind of empowering attitude that was a refreshing change from the usual stereotypical pathetic-kid-in-a-wheelchair that you usually see, when you see disabilities portrayed at all.

I don't want to ruin the ending for anyone - there's no spoiler function on this blog lol - but if you or your loved ones are challenged by a disability, go see it!! You'll be glad you did.

Typical ADHD distractedness...

LOL, how sad, can't manage to even run my mouth on a regular schedule!!

Really have hit bottom this past year in an unbelievable way. Everything, but EVERYTHING, has felt out of control. My most-often uttered phrase this year has been, "Welcome to ADHD!" Kids want to know why their dad did something which makes no sense to them, dad wants to know why kids are hyper - guess what guys!! Welcome to ADHD!! -sigh-

Really, really trying hard to get it all together. I found a wonderful person recently though that is making a big difference, and wanted to share.

Her name is Marla Cilley, aka the Flylady, at www.flylady.net. For an ADHD family, her emphasis on routines and not beating yourself up is lifesaving. We're just started and have re-started many times now, but that's OK. I'm learning to let go of the perfectionism that I grew up with and that it's OK to do things a little at a time. Honestly, that's probably been the hardest lesson of anything. I can clean my house just fine, thankyouverymuch, but I have a persistent thought process that I have to do it ALL, at once, NOW. It's horribly distracting when the place is a mess, and since we have 3 ADHD people who haven't mastered picking up after themselves, it's always a mess. We're getting there a bit at a time. It still frustrates me endlessly though and makes me feel bad when other people have these beautifully clean, organized homes. People who don't live with ADHD, I think, just don't understand the chaos it can cause.

I'm also starting a new Cafepress store of my very own :D, focusing on ADD / ADHD. It's located at http://www.cafepress.com/adhdtees. I wanted to have some income of my own and the ability to keep my kids home in the virtual school we've been in (K12 is wonderful!! We love it!!), but also I've just noticed that there isn't much out there in terms of ADDer designs. There are a few things I've seen that get a lot of exposure (like this one), but the stores that sell them don't specialize in ADHD and almost treat them like a joke (from that site's description: "Do you have ADHD? Probably not but since people think you do, you may as well wear this AD HD shirt.") Well, what about those that DO have ADHD? What about parents with ADHD kids? Ever had some stranger come up to you and want to know "what's wrong with" your kid? Ever wanted to tell them off, but you can't think of what to say until hours later? That's where I want to go with this. We need something in SUPPORT of us, not making fun of us.

Please visit early and often! I'll try to remember (LOL) to not get distracted (LOL again!) and post here when I get new designs up. If there's something you'd like to see done, please let me know!! I'm not a graphic designer, just a mom, but I'll do my best :D.