ADHD Awareness Week

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By Terry Orr

(ADDer)

Embracing and finding your unique and special niche in life with ADHD is life changing and special moments that you will never forget.  Shedding that anchor of others ‘idea what is normal’ and learning what is normal for you.  My moment was sitting in Ann Marie’s office (shrink) – imagine fireworks, laser light show, orgasmic and feeling like you have just lost a ton of weight off your shoulders.  Yep!  That was my moment.  Now, let’s work together to help you and others fine their moment.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is -

• The many faces of ADHD - reflects the growing awareness of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a neurological disorder that is not confined to any one age group or ethnicity. [adhdawarenessweek]
• Ruth Hughes, CEO of CHADD (Children & Adults with ADHD) referred to current research, saying that “ADHD has many faces.  It affects people of all ethnic backgrounds and all socioeconomic classes and is most often an inherited disorder.  Families can often identify ADHD symptoms in several generations.  Other environmental factors include premature birth, prenatal exposure to toxins such as smoking, drugs or alcohol, and other traumas to the brain.”

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ADHD Awareness Week site provides a wealth of excellent information on this subject and The Many Faces of ADHD Fact Sheets you can download and print – here are some of the titles available:

• ADHD in Teens
• ADHD in Women
• ADHD in Adults
• Parenting Children with ADHD
• Prevalence of ADHD in US

Also available is 7 Facts you Need to Know about ADHD:

1. ADHD is Real;
2. ADHD is a Common Non-Discriminatory Disorder;
3. Diagnosing ADHD is a Complex Process;
4. Other Mental Health Conditions Frequently Co-Occur with ADHD;
5. ADHD is Not Benign;
6. ADHD is Nobody’s Fault; and
7. ADHD Treatment is Multi-Faceted.

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We are leaning more factual, concrete information regarding ADD/ADHD every day and the more information being shared around the world is helping all of us to better understand, harness this special gift and focus on what is really important in our lives.  One of those is using my smartphone to remind me what and or where I need to be or doing.  Writing down notes from conversations with others to assessment in remembering where, what, when and any actions the they or I need to take.  Oh, and no – I don’t remember to do that all the time – but making progress in doing that more often.

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References and Links:

• http://www.adhdawarenessweek.org/many-faces-of-adhd/
• http://www.adhdawarenessweek.org/content/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/ADHDAwareness_2011_FactPosters.pdf
• http://connect.additudemag.com/blogs/post/adhd_awareness_week/

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