A Dunfermline teacher has spoken of her battle with a neurological condition normally viewed as a behavioural problem in children in a bid to raise awareness.
The educator – who wants to remain anonymous to protect her young pupils and own children – wants to raise awareness of ADHD – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – in adults.
Most cases are diagnosed in children aged between six and 12 and symptoms, which include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness, usually improve with age but can continue into adulthood.
The teacher previously hid her “invisible condition” for fear of judgement and said she was even told by a consultant it only existed in children.
But she reckons the condition in adults may be frequently misdiagnosed as anxiety or depression and decided to speak out to encourage greater understanding among medical professionals and the wider public.
She revealed her ADHD diagnosis made by a private specialist in a public post on Facebook, in which she spoke of her battle for NHS treatment.
The 41-year-old felt embarrassed by her condition and anxious about what parents of her pupils would think.
But she said: “I went public because I wanted to show other people you don’t need to be ashamed.
“I want people to realise that ADHD doesn’t mean you are not intelligent.
“It can make your journey a little bit harder, especially if you don’t have good medical support.”
The positive response from friends who have congratulated her on her bravery has overwhelmed her.
She said she knew of at least six other teachers in Scotland who have the condition but, like she was, are afraid to tell people.
As she is yet to be diagnosed under the NHS, she is funding her own treatment at a cost of £100 a month and said the medication she is now on has been life changing.
She wrote on Facebook: “My absolute wish is for change in the system and I will continue to fight for this even though it’s exhausting.
“ADHD is predominantly thought of as a behavioural problem in children. Reality is that it carries a range of symptoms that affect every aspect of life, throughout life.
“It’s a genetic condition although can be developmental in some extreme cases.
“I am only one woman out of many who are facing a battle for diagnosis, support and treatment within Scotland.”
