Hi Amy:

You're right: It is very frustrating to hear all the misperceptions and ignorance out there about ADHD and related conditions like depression. Next month is ADHD Awareness Month and, in anticipation, we've put together a collection of articles designed to help the general public better understand ADHD: http://www.additudemag.com/resources/addvocacy.html

Next time someone feeds you a line about 'happy pills,' maybe you can shoot back with some facts from these articles!

Best, Anni

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I agree. Unless you have the particular condition there is no way to have true knowledge. It's impossible to experience what the person is going through. Have worked with many ADD and ADHD children over the years, and they have taught me best how I could help them the most. Joseph

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I think the hardest thing is being a parent and not understanding what you child is going through. And on top of that having a husband who has no clue, and doesn't seem to want to understand what our child is going through. He simply things that he is just a discipline problem that punishing will correct. I have heard that for over four years now from him. I have taken my son to counceling, doctors and he has been diagnosed with ADD. I have tried several meds, that if they work, they make him sick, and the ones that don't make him sick, don't work. He has been to tutors and tested but we have yet to find the "magic" combo for him. I just want the pain and disappointment to stop for him!

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Here is a resource that some may find helpful. If nothing else it helps educate people about ADHD and other mental health issues.

In early 2007, NAMI New Hampshire released a guide for families and caregivers of children and adolescents with serious mental health treatment needs. This comprehensive guide covers the following topics, some of which relate to services in NH, but many of which are broadly covered and include extremely helpful information for families:

Integrated Health Care Taking Care of the Caregiver Partnering in Your Child's Care About Serious Emotional Disorders & Behavioral Issues Navigating the Treatment System Safeguarding Your Child's Education Paying for Services Crisis Management Planning Transitioning to Adult Health Care Services

A hardcopy of the guide can be ordered from the NAMI New Hampshire web site (www.naminh.org) or you can download a PDF version of the guide from the following web link:

http://naminh.org/documents/ChildGuide2007.pdf

Take care,

Joseph

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I couldn't agree more with the fact that it is incredibly hard to live in a world where people think that a condition that has plagued you all your life doesn't exist. That's why it's up to us to continue to educated and enlighten those who don't know the intricacies of ADD. One day hopefully it will get the attention(pun intended)it deserves to educate the masses and make life a little bit easier for us.......the mighty and misunderstood.

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