Green Man confesses his difference

But it wasn't deliberate, I was just being me. It wasn't until my late 20's that I discovered that I might have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I felt very comfortable with this self diagnosis, it explained a lot and for one of the first times in my life I felt understood, that there were others like me, that I wasn't abnormal.

Also, as ADHD is thought to be caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain's frontal lobes, it reduces it to a purely biological situation. Not that I do exactly as I please or use it as an excuse for my behaviour, but as a partial explanation. Of course I have done a lot of learning about how to (try to!) behave appropriately.

Some people do not like 'labels' or the feeling of being medically diagnosed and reduced to a statistic, some don't believe that ADHD exists. But the human condition is very diverse and to me it makes sense to describe and define those with neurological differences, in order to understand and help them.

Some of the people we come accross in our personal and working lives will have a named neurological difference; they may be on the autism spectrum, have dyslexia, be a bit 'Touretty', suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, be prone to depression, substance use, addictive behaviour or violence.

It's difficult to know which of these behaviours are under voluntary control and which are 'hardwired' by a neurological difference, or how easy it might be to learn to change, or get effective medication for.

A diagnosis of adult ADHD is difficult to get in the UK, and therefore I feel lucky that I am finally on a waiting list for one. I also feel lucky that as a young adult I made several sensible decisions about my future and stuck doggedly to these rules. I have kept to my ethical stance and I have avoided getting into trouble. However, many 'neuro diverse' (ND) individuals will come to the attention of the authorities, as they may be more vulnerable than many 'neuro typical' (NT) people. For instance, it is estimated that at least half of the prison population is on the ADHD spectrum, and there's obvious correlations between some addictions and crime, alcohol abuse and ill health, binge drinking and violence.

Social workers are often on the sharp end of neuro diversity. Knowledge of the range of psychologies, conditions, disorders and illnesses I presume must be part of the training, as it would give a good insight into peoples' behaviours and how to help them.

I have used the terms ND and NT as they incorporate many of the medical model diagnoses without having to list them all, and includes non-diagnosed but 'different' people. I met the terms when I joined the Developmental Adult Neuro Diversity Association, DANDA. This is open to NDs and to NTs who are related to NDs or who are working with them or interested in learning more. They offer advice, help and information, have a newsletter and run events.

I am looking forward to learning more about my own situation, and aim to use the information to help others as well as to help understand myself.