I was interviewed on News 1130 Am Radio on October 14th 2012 by Brock Hunter @brocknhunter on the events that the many hardworking, creative, hyperfocusing volunteers of my Vancouver Adult ADD Support Group, myself and our supporters have done for ADHD Awareness Week Oct 14-20th in Vancouver and 7 other cities in the lower mainland.
We had events in Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge and Aldergrove. 25 libraries doing ADHD book displays plus bookstores doing the same and an ADHD information table at The Roundhouse. Thanks @BruceClaggett
Vancouver first in Canada to proclaim ADHD Awareness Week
90% of adults with ADHD are undiagnosed
Pete Quily runs a local support group for those suffering from ADHD, and says there are a lot of misconceptions around the disorder. He says many think it only affects young boys, while the truth is, it hits both genders and ages equally.
“So they don’t get diagnosed and the don’t get treated. Other common misconceptions is that it’s over diagnosed. Ninety per cent of adults with ADHD are undiagnosed and untreated and often they self-medicate with alcohol, drugs and tobacco,” Quily notes.
He says learning to manage the disorder can help.
“With that extra energy — hyper-focus, creativity, the ability to multi-task — if you’re really doing something you love, you can actually concentrate harder and do more than non-ADD people,” Quily adds. “If I’m interested in something, I don’t have a deficit of attention, I have a surplus.
It was a great way to start of ADHD Awareness Week in British Columbia’s lower mainland