Posted by Janet on September 16, 1998, at 3:01:30
In reply to Re: ADD Bashing: Web & Press , posted by Julie on August 3, 1998, at 10:28:14
> I think the first day I really felt better after years of struggling with an unknown captor...was the day I read about ADD in DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION by Hallowell.
> This condition is so difficult to define when I'm speaking to others about it, that I can understand some people and even clinicians doubting its' existence.
> My question to those individuals is "Okay then, YOU TELL ME WHAT I HAVE if you know so much."> There is a piece of paper in my living room floor, that has been there for a few days. I can't pick it up. ADD sufferers know what I mean. Non empathetic clinicians and naysayers apparently only believe in what they can see and feel. They will probably never "get it" (what we are experiencing). Thank God there are plenty of care givers who do understand and believe
Dear Julie,
I too have read "Driven..." and several other books by Hallowell. The day I picked up that book while in my daughters speech pathologists office is the day my like finally started falling into place. I read about the "cough drop symptom" and felt as if I'd been struck by thunder! "When You Worry About The Child You Love"is also a life changing book and should be required reading for all parents.
I was diagnosed with ADD 3 months ago. I'm 32, and would you believe that my own husband pooh-poohs my diagnosis. He'd rather believe I'm an irresponsible, lazy, air-head than an otherwise wonderful woman with a (gasp!) neurological disorder. Unfortunately, our son also has Tourette Syndrome and ADD, so he truly can't deny what's going on.
I am TEXTbook ADD w/o hyperactivity. My symptoms began in kindergarten. I am sooo relieved to be in treatment finally that I really could'nt care less what the naysayers think. I just want to be sure that the kids who require treatment to survive and thrive in school and their social lives aren't prevented from receiving treatment because of the ignorance of those who can't or won't empathize with ADDers. I sometimes mourn the opportunities I passed up because I was incapable of making logical decisions in my life, even as a young child.
Well, I could go on and on, but I'll stop here, I just hope the fight to publicize and treat TS, ADD and the related Spectrum Disorders will race forward, improving the lives of all who can benefit.
Most sincerely,
Janet
poster:Janet
thread:155
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19980901/msgs/637.html