ADHD and Mental Health Awareness - Short Films to Deepen Understanding
The above animation was shot outside the Butt and Oyster in Chelmondiston, after arriving at a party a week early (in full fancy dress). A typical symptom of ADHD where diary management does not come as easily as to those with neurological typical minds. So, to relieve my boredom (another typical ADHD trait), whilst waiting for a taxi home, I decided to shoot some films to attempt to show how in an extreme state, ADHD manifests (the manic side). I am not like this now, this is an artistic representation of how fast the brain can move, how everything is interesting and there are occasional moments of stillness as shown in the steady boat scene. I was not distressed, standing outside the pub, far from it, I embraced the time I had to do something productive. That is the managed example of ADHD.
My Interest and Growing Understanding of ADHD
I am passionate about raising awareness of neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD, as well as mental health issues in general. Having personally seen how little these are understood, even by families and healthcare professionals, there is huge need right now for more understanding across a spectrum of challenges that a lot of people face.
This occurs primarily because until a person has experienced a condition first-hand, they cannot truly understand it (and sometimes not even then fully). Some things cannot be learnt from the best teacher or textbook or seeing it affect a loved one. Especially if you find it hard to read books (e.g. someone with ADHD) or respond better to a different style of learning. We all learn in different ways, so new ways of reaching people can help in developing better understanding. Especially when it is told by people who have first-hand experience of how it feels.
Neurodivergence – A Superpower When Managed and Supported
I became fascinated with this broad topic having been diagnosed with ADHD in my mid-forties. This followed a number of years of misdiagnosis and suddenly the right treatment enabled me to start understand my unusual brain and behavioural patterns – and find ways to better manage my complicated life.
My life went from chaotic to highly productive – although even having read widely on the topic (well listened via audio book), I still have huge numbers of unanswered questions. Whilst undiagnosed however, I was repeating a cycle of manic behaviour for 3-4 weeks followed by severe burnout, which with a still racing mind, is very hard to live with.
Meo Divergent
However, despite all of this, even with medication, the condition is a double edged sword and needs active lifestyle management in order to stay balanced. On the one hand neurodivergence is a superpower. You can think outside of the box, have extreme creativity and are often hyper focused, getting a lot of productive work completed. I have noticed though that people close to me still do not understand how to avoid triggering anger and frustration when they consider me to be manic. So, I am keen to raise awareness to help people with loved ones who are neurodivergent or experiencing some form of unusual brain functioning see how to best help their loved ones. I am also saddened that it was not picked up in years by my GP, and took private diagnosis and care to get the support I needed. Not everyone can afford this and in today’s 24/7 world of smart phones, laptops, instant messaging and little switch off time, conditions like ADHD seem to be increasing. So I am focusing a part of my time in exploring, highlighting and raising awareness of this gift, in order to help others and increase my own understanding a lot more, in order to continue to improve my own lifestyle management.
When the people around us understand us, it helps us to full accept ourselves, and see the gifts of how we are wired – as a blessing. ‘Special’ in the correct sense of the word.
