ADHD is unique in that, the more one knows and learns about the disorder the better one can cope, overcome, and be successful. Learning as much as possible is imperative, especially for adult ADDers.
Doctors, parents, and therapists, and even teachers have given their input and all of such input is valuable, but strangely there are not very many books available written by ADDers for ADDers. The raw reality, the actual insider view of what it is like for someone with ADHD to experience day to day life and yet not know he has ADHD. To learn what went on inside the ADHD mind which motivated me to seek help. Why did I feel different than others? Doctors can give you an educated opinion, but what was really going on inside of my head? A doctor cannot tell you exactly what my thoughts were and how I personally coped with my situations from my point of view—the ADHD point of view.
Only a Memoir from someone who lived through the experiences can give you the real insider details. This is very important, especially with ADHD, such a misunderstood and often misdiagnosed disorder. Why did it take so long for me to be diagnosed? Why did my teachers not realize I had a learning disorder? I can’t say exactly why my teachers did not realize my condition, but I can explain what I went through and how I reacted. This is valuable information and will help parents and teachers and others, better recognize symptoms of ADHD.
It is estimated that between 5-12% of the population have diagnosed ADHD, depending on who provides the estimate. Millions more are potentially still undiagnosed; to a degree, these millions are living through misconceptions and possible denial. Denial? Yes, many parents are in denial that ADHD exists and some teachers and doctors are in denial. It’s sad and it’s true. However, not only professionals and parents are in denial, but many sufferers are in denial. One of the educators who pre-read my Memoir told me that her husband read it too and thanks to reading my personal experiences, he decided to get a check-up. Who knows, he could be suffering from something else, but that he has decided to get checked by a professional is tremendous and he will be better suited to deal with his situation whether he has ADHD or something else. No other method was able to get him to admit he had a problem beyond his own control.
“Reading about personal experiences does something for ADDers that no doctor, mother, father or teacher or friend can do, it provides information in a manner similar to the sufferers own, it provides empathy, sympathy and compassion on a very familiar level and most importantly, it gives the information about heartbreak, depression and self loathing, which even the most articulate professionals cannot entirely explain.”
My memoir goes further and explains how an adult with undiagnosed ADHD was made whole, in mind, by finally being diagnosed and having a new understanding for who I am, why I reacted in certain ways and why I was treated in certain ways. This knowledge is very important, vitally important. The more I learn about ADHD, the more whole and successful I become and I have learned to use my ADD traits to my benefit and the benefit of others.
ADHD Memoirs are far different from typical life Memoirs and are very effective tools of understanding. ADHD is unique like that. It is my hope that my Memoir opens a new door for learning and coping with ADHD. ADHD is not just a learning disorder; it is a life effecting mental way of thinking that when effectively explained and understood can be coped with in a more successful manner.