Welcome to aadd.org.uk!
*** STOP PRESS: ***
The NICE guidlines are finally out! In the NICE press release [click here for the bits relevant to adults] [click here for full release] they actually say that about 2% of adults suffer from ADHD. That is an awful lot of people - most of whom are unrecognised and untreated in the UK!
We are really disappointed with the various media responses. Most TV/radio/newspaper reports seem to say that NICE are urging the cutback of methylphenidate prescriptions, when NICE actually says that medication should be used as well as other treatment (e.g. cognitive behavioural theerapy). 'As well as' is different to 'instead of' geddit?!
The other extremely frustrating thing is that virtually no mention was made of adults. It is the first time that the guidleines have covered adults, or to put it another way, the biggest thing that was new in the guidelines is that adults with ADHD are covered. Any journalists reading? Do you get the meaning of the word 'new'? Isn't the general idea of 'news' something along the lines of something actually being, how shall we put it, new? But, no, the old 'drugs for kids' gets wheeled out again and adults with ADHD are ignored. What a surprise. Does no one see any news value in huge numbers of health professionals ignoring people with major difficulties and all too frequently telling them they are 'bad people'?
Guideline, version for the general public, here.
Guideline, version (short) for health professionals, here. This version you may like to print out and take with you or send to a health professional who won't follow them.
Guideline, full version, and other versions, plus indeces etc - careful, this is pretty long! Here.
Any other questions (or rants, or moans) would be welcome in our forum.
New meetings:
We've had enquiries for local support groups in Norfolk and Bracknell. If you are interested come and chat on our forum.
We were on ITV's This Morning recently:
Well done Allie! If you've come here from seeing that and have any questions at all, or just coments, please visit our forum (you can post without having to reveal your identity).
Here is a little video from Canada that makes a good introduction to adult ADHD: Click here.
Our Adult ADHD Awareness campaign takes a huge leap forward with the kind help of skilled animator Svenja Frahm who has contributed two shorts...
Click here for "Lucy"
Click here for "Babette"
Please click on the links and watch the videos - also please let everyone and anyone know about them. They give a good idea of ADD/ADHD and the message is easy to absorb. Let's see if we can't get a 'viral' campaign going.
Need Advice on Jobs, Careers, Courses, CV’s?
You can call the Careers Advice Service on 0800 100 900 to talk in confidence with one of their friendly, trained advisers. The advisers can give free advice on jobs, courses, paying for your training or finding child care. You can ring anytime between 8 am to 10 pm 7 days a week. Check out their website here.
Complain to your MP...
This site now has a section with advice about about speaking to your MP. This will help raise the profile of adult ADHD in general and may well help you get help and treatment if you have been blocked other ways.
Also in the 'Complalints & Advice' section there is a link the the Citizens Advice Bureau who tell us they are very understanding of ADHD in adults.
Meetings in the real world...
We are also keen to encourage local groups where adults with AD(H)D can get together for mutual support. So far we know of three groups (but let us know if we have missed your group out or if our info is out of date):
Bristol
Group (for details click here)
Meets on the first Monday evening of the month, 7-9 pm. On 3 November, Dr Blanca Bolea will be talking about the new
Bristol Adult ADHD Clinic and its plans for the future.
E-mail
the Bristol Group organiser.
Central London Group (for details click here)
Meets the first Tuesday of the month very near Oxford Circus 7 – 9 pm, so the next meeting is scheduled for 4 November 2008.
E-mail the London Group organiser.
Harrow (NW London) - (for details click here): Meet on 2nd Monday of the month.
Scroll down for further details.
You might need a professional declutterer (it can be a bit of an ADHD thing, clutter). If you do, be sure to get someone who is part of
APDO-UK (Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers). Web site: www.apdo-uk.co.uk. [This link should now be working - Ed.]There is now a specialist adult ADHD NHS clinic in Bristol. Click 'Getting Diagnosed' in the menu on the left.
Impressive new book: ADHD in Adults: A Psychological Guide to Practice by Young & Bramham. See 'Getting Diagnosed' in the menu on the left.
There is another central London goup that people may wish to attend, run by an organisation by the name of DANDA. It broader in its scope that AADD UK and caters for people with dispraxia, Aspergers and other things I forget for the mo, as well as ADD. They meet in a private room over a pub: www.danda.org.uk
We hear that a group in Milton Keynes MKADHD is hoping to set up a group for adults in the next few months.
Here is a poem by one of our members :
Getting
Medicated for ADHD
by Kate Mowbray
Before medication, my life was insane,
"You're not even trying; you've got a good brain"
I'm screaming inside "I'm doing my best"
Why can't you all see it and just let me rest.
Relentless suffering, endless pain,
Please someone help me, am I going insane,
Medication has started,
It's now been a year,
Of resentment and reflexion'
But now my life's become clear.
My brain, that was hidden,
Has become visible to me,
Nothing is insurmountable now
At last - I am free.
by Kate Mowbray
Before medication, my life was insane,
"You're not even trying; you've got a good brain"
I'm screaming inside "I'm doing my best"
Why can't you all see it and just let me rest.
Relentless suffering, endless pain,
Please someone help me, am I going insane,
Medication has started,
It's now been a year,
Of resentment and reflexion'
But now my life's become clear.
My brain, that was hidden,
Has become visible to me,
Nothing is insurmountable now
At last - I am free.
Kate Mowbray is the Yorkshire Coordinator for ADDept. Click here for her web site.
Medication isn't perfect for everyone, indeed doesn't work at all for some people, but we hope you can see what a difference it can make.
Other plans...
We intend to raise the profile of Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder in adults. This is enormously overlooked in the UK and we still hear many stories of medical professionals refusing to accept it exists, or not providing treatment. We will be making representation to NICE and the NHS as well as lobbying MPs. Your personal stories input and help would be greatly appreciated.Also, you might like to have a look at www.addforums.com for more groups and also general chat about ADHD.
Hope to see you soon!
