The EU Has Been Urged to Make “The Invisible, Visible” and Increase Public Awareness of ADHD President of the European brain council Mary Baker told TheParliament.com, “A lot of people do not believe in [ADHD’s] existence. So therefore, if it does not exist, then people do not understand that there is treatment for it. We need to make this illness visible to society.”
by Ruth Marsden
inal activity, “So an early diagnosis
far less of a priority on the polit-
to make an invisible illness visible is
ical agenda, particularly due to the
World Health Organisation
the way to go.”
current economic crisis, which has
and chair of their working
The term ‘invisible disability’ is
resulted in widespread cutbacks
often
ADHD
in resources. “ADHD is one of the
speaking at the launch on Tuesday
because of the lack of knowledge
most neglected and misunderstood
of an expert white paper on ADHD.
and
psychiatric conditions in Europe,”
B
aker, also a consultant to the
group on Parkinson’s disease, was
used
to
widespread
describe social
stigma
The white paper aims to provide
surrounding the condition. Among
she warned.
policy solutions to address the soci-
mental health disorders, ADHD
The S&D deputy said, “At member
etal impact, costs and long-term
is one of the most neglected
state level we must begin to share
outcomes in support of individuals
and
Europe,
research and information. Some
affected by ADHD.
according to the white paper. ADHD
member states have very sophis-
She added, “There is a lot of support
affects approximately one in 20
ticated support mechanisms for
that can be given to children living
children and adolescents across
ADHD. “It would be a good idea if we
misunderstood
in
with this disorder, if people start to
Europe, with many cases persisting
looked at that and began to repro-
work together.”
into adulthood, the report says.
duce them in all member states
If ADHD is recognised early and
And currently, due to untreated or
because, quite frankly, it doesn’t
treated appropriately, the child
inappropriately treated ADHD, the
take a lot, only a small amount of
“will get a better education, a better
disorder is creating an excessive
teachers and to parents.”
chance in the workplace, a better
burden and expense to society.
chance
relationships
Co-chair of the European parlia-
at
family
and making relationships of their
ment’s interest group on mental
own”, said Baker. “It’s an illness
health, wellbeing and brain disor-
which requires good investment
ders,
and I think teachers, psychologists,
that work on improving the situa-
Nessa
Childers
explained
criminal justice, all need to come
tion for ADHD sufferers must begin
together and help society face up to
at national level. “We all have to
a challenge that could be consider-
go back to our member states and
ably better managed.”
publicise this situation,” she told
Baker added that it is “very difficult”
this website. The Irish MEP added,
for older people diagnosed with
“As a clinician, I have seen adults
ADHD “because, like anything in life,
who were not diagnosed with ADHD
to be diagnosed with [an illness]
as children and the kind of damage
later is always hard”.
that was done to them. I think advo-
She also warned that it is often
cacy and education is the way [to
something quite major in an adult’s
combat this].” Childers went on to
behaviour that signals the need for
highlight how mental health prob-
help, from driving offences to crim-
lems such as ADHD are becoming
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