All About Being

I thought this was a big step in the right direction. It may not have changed anything in and of itself, but hopefully it’s a sign that the government and the mental health community will start paying more attention to ADHD. I sure hope so…

A quote from CHADD’s announcement:

The U.S. Senate has designated September 19, 2007 as "National Attention Deficit Disorder Awareness Day."  Senate Resolution 295 recognizes that AD/HD is a chronic, neurobiological disorder that can have serious – even "devastating" – consequences for children and adults.  The formal language of the resolution might seem a bit arcane – using words and phrases like "whereas" and "be it resolved that."  Even still, it’s worth reading!

The Resolution reminds us:

• that AD/HD is the most extensively studied of all childhood conditions;
• that AD/HD tends to run in families, suggesting a strong genetic component;
• that despite its prevalence, AD/HD remains largely undiagnosed in both children and adults;
• that the U.S. Surgeon General and numerous federal agencies and professional organizations recognize the need for better diagnosis, education and treatment of AD/HD;
• that public education is essential, including the recognition that "misleading information contributes as an obstacle for diagnosis and treatment";
• that lack of knowledge and stigma are particularly detrimental;
• that even healthcare professionals, employers and educators need to learn more about AD/HD;
• and that – most important of all and despite all these challenges – the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) consistently reports that proper diagnosis and treatment can substantially decrease AD/HD symptoms and improve quality of life.

In giving official recognition to this serious public health concern, the Senate calls upon Americans to find out more about AD/HD and to support those services that provide effective treatment.