Only 15% of adults with ADHD have been diagnosed. This is the dismaying statistic that I have been pondering this past month. That means that 85% of the adults with ADHD don't know it and they continue to live chaotic and difficult lives. The limited number of adults who know they have ADHD was brought home to me when we recently planned an all-day workshop on "Everything, or Almost Everything You Always Wanted to Know About ADHD in the Workplace." In addition to getting adults with ADHD to attend the workshop, we wanted to get Human Resources personnel to attend. But with only 15% knowing, and assuming lots that know don't disclose in the workplace, I realize that ADHD is probably not on the radar screens of HR people.
But one the other side of the coin, there are signs that adult ADHD is becoming mainstreamed and recognized. I think much of this can be attributed to Strattera's prolific ad campaign. But be that as it may, last week I attended the Comedy Underground in Seattle to hear a comic whose gig was having adult ADHD. And then in my local newspaper, there was a syndicated cartoon about adult ADHD. I am chagrined to admit it took me a while to get the joke. . (Sometimes we ADDers are so literal.) Let me know how you do.
http://www.ucomics.com/nonsequitur March 19, 2005
HINT: A duel is taking place. There is a guy holding the empty box which held the pistols. There is another guy lying on the ground about 4 feet away who has been shot in the back. And then there is the third guy holding a smoking pistol, standing on line with the guy holding the pistol box. He turned and shot without walking back the required 10 paces!"
Cynthia Hammer, MSW
Director of ADD Resources
www.addresources.org
