EDUCATION MATTERS WHEN IT COMES TO ADHD
Education is not just for school or job advancement. It is absolutely critical to everyday life. Through conversations in my everyday life, books, YouTube videos, websites, documentaries, I learn new things every day.
When you or someone in your home struggles with ADHD, it is up to all parties involved to become part of the solution instead of remaining part of the problem. And in most situations, it will have to start with the person or people who DON’T have the disorder. No matter what you believe about ADHD, I am telling you that it is physically, mentally, and emotionally outside of the realm of possibility for the person who had ADHD. It isn’t a matter of unwillingness, but in a lot of cases not being aware.
RESOURCES
One book I found very useful when I first started to realize that this was my issue was “Driven from Distraction” by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey. It is very insightful. Another suggestion I have for you is to find someone else who is also living with ADHD, but from the opposite side from where you are. If you HAVE it find someone else who is LIVING with someone who has it, and visa versa. I have had the opportunity to interact with two people so far in exactly that capacity. I have been told by both that it helped them a lot to hear me explain what it was like to suffer from it. And it did help me to hear from them as well.
BOTH SIDES SUMMARIZED
For the person afflicted, it can be extremely frustrating and very often depressing. (ADHD Is Not My Fault — But It Still Makes Me Feel Like a Failure) They are most likely down on themselves a great deal of time because they feel like there is something wrong with them. This is exacerbated but the fact that those around them are also frustrated with them. It is a double whammy. They are desperate to fix it but they feel utterly helpless to do so. They often build up resentment toward others for being completely unsympathetic, cold, and judgmental.
The person living with the afflicted see the ADHD sufferer as lazy, disorganized and often narcissistic. They are frustrated that they are constantly having to pick up the pieces and do more of the work because they are getting very little help. The too, often grow to resent the other person for all of these thing.
MAKING IT BETTER
The solution is for YOU to start educating yourself as much as possible. And by you I mean whomever is reading this article. Whichever side of this issue you are on, you are the one who cares enough to be seeking information. YOU need to be the first one to break the cycle. Nothing will change without someone taking the first step to bring education to the situation.