[Arwen_78]

It seems like as of lately, since I've been educating myself of ADD and how to help myself as well as understand that that I do not. I feel a strong pulling to help educate others of what I'm learning of ADD from the books and who I am becoming. I don't know why but I feel that if things do not go right for me in Computer Programing in school that I'll ask what I would have to do to help educate the world of ADD.

I mean as much as some believe others no longer view people with ADD as "mentally" ill but be honest with yourself. Is that because you are focused on only those around you? I've meant people who still want to believe that many of us ADDer's are drug addicts looking for a high, we're all total nuts and/or we are just too lazy to help ourselves. All that I knew long ago! Yet, I'm still surprised by the amount of un-educated people who I talk to. Once they learn I'm ADD and medicated they think I'm seeing the wrong doctor.

Yes, I'm a strong willed women who would do just about anything for her friends. Yet, I'm still a little girl who looks to others for approval. It's as if I'm just waiting for the world to see that ADD/ADHD isn't always as simple as it sounds. Also that someone who seems like they can handle the life, this is how I seems when I'm out of the apartment, these people do not see that mess that is what I call home. If they did without knowing anything about me from outside they would think me a lazy person and someone who did not care about how the looked. That is it, I do care! I have nice things just taking care of them is harder than it is to just go buy something new to wear for a party.

Oops, sorry realized was going in to rant mode. I'll stop for now.

[yellowfrog268]

Hi Arwen__78,

There are lots of opportunities out there to be a lay counselor or adviser.

Not sure what amount of education you would need to make yourself credible in the work world but I think you could do it without taking on a degree program.

[TheImpossibleGirl]

I think it's great that you want to educate people about ADHD. There are plenty of options, besides being a mental heath professional. You could give talks, write a book, write a blog, or be a mentor/tutor. You could do a YouTube series. Your imagination is the limit, really.

[Miswimmy1]

I think there are many people who are mis-informed about ADHD. It's great that you've been inspired to help other people. I went through that phase as well (still in it actually haha). I think it's people like us who can really make a difference in the way society views mental illness. Because we've lived it. We are living proof that people who are "mentally ill" aren't that much different than anyone else. We are different in the way our brains work, but everyone is different.