I would love to contact Kaori to share support. How do I do so? Kaori, if you have access to this site please, contact me I would love to start a conversation with you!
I
am sorry to hear Japan has limited resources and understanding
regarding ADHD but I am not surprised, especially considering China's
views on "mental illness". We here in America have many resources available but there still seems to be the almost universal public opinion that we should just be able to "get over it" and act like everyone else, especially if we are adults when diagnosed. Unlike kidney disease, heart disorders, liver dysfunction, or any other physiologic problem, brain chemistry disorders are not a socially acceptable medical problem, even among many of those in the medical profession. A person can be on medication for physical issues for the rest of their life and receive help, support and understanding from anyone and everyone; family, community, and medicine. But if a person is on medication for brain chemistry issues they are looked upon as; "crazy", "weak", "scary", "weird" or "nuts". I could go on with the inappropriate monikers but we've heard them all before.
I won't say the lack of understanding is sad because that just trivializes the subject. It designates us as a group to be pitied, "Aw poor ADHD (or any other disorder) sufferers, nobody understands, poor babies", that just makes me mad. I don't want to be looked on as someone to be pitied or avoided because of a misplaced stigma. I'm just like everyone else except for the few issues I am learning to deal with. If I stay aware of the traits I have that may stand out, sensory overstimulation, hyperfocusing, interrupting others, difficulty concentrating, etc., and take the medications found to be effective for me, I am fine. In some ways better perhaps because I am more aware than most of my behavior and how it affects me and others.
I'm getting off my soapbox now, sorry to vent but seriously, Kaori's situation brings out the protective mamma in me, I wanna fight the ignorance. :-)
I will see if there is a way to contact her through this site, any help would be appreciated.
Thank you for writing this!
Familynut
re: re: re: I hear you Kaori!
Kaori
Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Eileen,Familynut,I'm so sorry for long absence,and it will continue ,for 1 reason(apartment contract renewal)till 6/13,another reason (my mother's terminal cancer)will last more.
I'm so hyperfocus,so once I am on the web,I might spend too long time.So I have to take care.
Familynut,I will contact you after 6/13,Eileen,I will catch you at Facebook.(with my many ADHD friends).2 weeks more,please.
and Eileen,Thank you for writing my"face"which is not known in US.(and sorry I couldn't reply photo request,I found it now.)
I would love to contact Kaori to share support. How do I do so? Kaori, if you have access to this site please, contact me I would love to start a conversation with you!
I am sorry to hear Japan has limited resources and understanding regarding ADHD but I am not surprised, especially considering China's views on "mental illness". We here in America have many resources available but there still seems to be the almost universal public opinion that we should just be able to "get over it" and act like everyone else, especially if we are adults when diagnosed. Unlike kidney disease, heart disorders, liver dysfunction, or any other physiologic problem, brain chemistry disorders are not a socially acceptable medical problem, even among many of those in the medical profession. A person can be on medication for physical issues for the rest of their life and receive help, support and understanding from anyone and everyone; family, community, and medicine. But if a person is on medication for brain chemistry issues they are looked upon as; "crazy", "weak", "scary", "weird" or "nuts". I could go on with the inappropriate monikers but we've heard them all before.
I won't say the lack of understanding is sad because that just trivializes the subject. It designates us as a group to be pitied, "Aw poor ADHD (or any other disorder) sufferers, nobody understands, poor babies", that just makes me mad. I don't want to be looked on as someone to be pitied or avoided because of a misplaced stigma. I'm just like everyone else except for the few issues I am learning to deal with. If I stay aware of the traits I have that may stand out, sensory overstimulation, hyperfocusing, interrupting others, difficulty concentrating, etc., and take the medications found to be effective for me, I am fine. In some ways better perhaps because I am more aware than most of my behavior and how it affects me and others.
I'm getting off my soapbox now, sorry to vent but seriously, Kaori's situation brings out the protective mamma in me, I wanna fight the ignorance. :-)
I will see if there is a way to contact her through this site, any help would be appreciated.
Thank you for writing this!
Familynut