Support group for sufferers of ADHD (From Wirral Globe)

Support group for sufferers of ADHD

10:06am Tuesday 19th September 2006

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A WIRRAL man who was only diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder when he turned 32 has set up a support group for other adult sufferers.

Gary Sendell from Beechwood is now celebrating the group's birthday with a fun day coinciding with the UK's first national ADHD Awareness Week which runs from this Monday to Friday.

“The psychologist said seeing my son was like seeing a mini-me as he could see me suffering from similar symptoms."

Gary Sendell

The 38-year-old hopes the fun day at Birkenhead Park this Saturday, September 23, will highlight the fact that the disorder affects adults as well as children.

Gary was only diagnosed with ADHD after attending a meeting with a child psychologist with his eldest son who has been diagnosed with the disorder.

Gary said: "The psychologist said seeing my son was like seeing a mini-me as he could see me suffering from similar symptoms.

"He told me he didn't know of anyone dealing with adults with the disorder in the area but that he would find out for me.

"In the end my doctor finally got me an appointment with an NHS hospital in London where it took around 18 months of tests and questionnaires for them to diagnose me.

"While most people are diagnosed as children it is still possible to be diagnosed as an adult although it is much more difficult."

For Gary, his diagnosis changed his life helping him to understand his feelings and the reasons for his behaviour.

He said: "Since I was diagnosed and started taking medication to treat the disorder I have changed my life around.

"As a child, because ADHD wasn't recognised, I was just seen as the naughty kid, the one who was always in trouble and I ended up thinking that this was how I was, that I would never go far because I was put in that category.

"But now I have passed my level one English and level one maths and I have trained to be an ADHD coach."

ADHD and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is a neurological condition which is estimated to affect approximately 1% of children in the UK. and it is possible that 10% may have a mild degree of the disorder.

The first behaviours are often found in early childhood, between the ages of five and nine years. The condition continues throughout the school years and it is thought that 60% of children will carry some symptoms through to adulthood.

It is thought that ADD can either be attributed to a hereditary or genetic cause or to damage to the child's brain during pregnancy or to the child's brain at or after birth.

The fun day will take place between 11am and 4pm with a balloon release at 3pm. For more information on the fun day or if you'd like to get involved contact Gary on 07854 325 653 or visit www.waaddsup.co.uk for more information on ADD or ADHD.

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