So, October is here. We do associate October with a few things. Autumn. Halloween, which I love. Thanksgiving, if you’re in Canada. There may be more, depending on your area. Maybe there are some fall fairs. Either way, there are a few things going on this month.
However, there is one more thing going on this month: ADHD Awareness Month. Yes, we have a month dedicated to bringing awareness to ADHD.
I honestly do think that it is important to bring awareness to ADHD, as well as other mental health issues. I do mention mental health issues as well, as I feel that they are just as important, and many with ADHD also suffer with some mental health issue.
Like any other mental health issue or disability, we do need to talk about ADHD/ADD. We do need to talk about it. There are so many reasons why we need to talk about these issues.
There are quite a few misconceptions about ADHD/ADD. Such as we’re lazy, that our ADHD/ADD is not real, or that we’re all a little ADHD/ADD sometimes, just to name a few.
If you have ADHD/ADD, then you may have heard these before, and we all know that these statements couldn’t be farther from the truth. We all know that we aren’t lazy and work hard, that ADHD/ADD is real and a real struggle, and no, we aren’t all ADHD/ADD sometimes. We know these facts all too well and have lived with them.
It can be hard to hear these things, as it is almost as though we aren’t believed about our ADHD/ADD. It can be hurtful. And I’m sure that anyone, who has been in this situation, whether it’s regards to their ADHD/ADD or depression or other mental health issue, has felt a similar way.
And this is exactly why we need to talk about these issues, why we need to talk about ADHD/ADD, depression, anxiety, and such.
We need to be opened minded, listen, and learn about these things. Just because you don’t see ADHD/ADD or depression, it doesn’t mean that someone isn’t struggling with these. I am struggling with ADHD/ADD. It is an issue for me everyday. And I know that others struggle with ADHD/ADD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues that we aren’t always aware off.
By sharing our struggles and the information we have, we gain more knowledge and may be able to make these misconceptions disappear. By doing so, we may also be able to create a safer place for others to talk about their struggle. We may help others today to feel safer, and we may help future generations to feel safe to talk.
I do realize that there are some people, who are closed minded and who may not be willing to learn about these things. I know it may be difficult to get through to some individuals. And this may not help us now, as they may not be willing to listen.
However, for those of us who do struggle with one thing or another, if we keep an open mind and talk and learn, then it might be a good start. We should start somewhere.
It may be a long road. But I do think that we do need to talk about ADHD/ADD, as well as other mental health issue. We do need to stop feeling like it’s not okay to talk about and admit that we need help. There isn’t anything wrong with needing help, when you have depression, anxiety, or ADHD/ADD. And if we talk about it, not only do we learn something, but we may also be helping someone. Whether it’s then and there, or in the future, we may still be able to help someone.
So, let’s keep an open-mind, and share. And hope that one day we’ll all be more accepting of these issues and individuals will find it easier to talk about.
Picture credit: Pixabay
