Simeon Brody
Regular readers will remember that a year ago I managed to secure an appointment at The Maudsley Hospital to find out if my unusual spectrum of behaviours meant that I had ADHD. I had self-diagnosed up to 10 years previously after friends kept on mentioning it to me and I'd seen some livlely 'labelled' kids when working as Professor Fiddlesticks, whose demeanour reminded me of my own childhood. However, at that assessment, I was told that I may have had ADHD as a child but didn't have it now... but might be on the Autistic Spectrum, such as Aspergers Syndrome with hyperactivity. This was a shock, as although I'd recognised I had some Aspergery traits, I had never considered that I might actually be Autistic!
So last week I had my second appointment down on Denmark Hill, with the Autism experts. And the result? I don't fit any of the boxes. The consultant consulted his Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV and told me that although I'm quite unusual and had a unique set of behaviours which included some seen in people with ADHD and Aspergers, I wouldn't be going home with a diagnosis. In some ways I was very disappointed as I'd pinned quite a lot of importance on getting a diagnosis and then being able to use that to continue my self development. In other ways I was pleased that I hadn't gone privately and just been told what I'd wanted to hear.
However, since then, I've come to terms with the 'fact' that I am just an individual with a set of sometimes challenging behaviours, that I cannot be labelled or pigeonholed, that I have as many strengths as deficits, and that I continue to be happy being me. I am in the process of exploring whether a course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy might help me help myself. My path of self development has not been closed by this experience, I've just had a bit of an interesting detour. And, rest assured, my openness means I will from time to time share this journey with Community Care readers.
Talking of a journey along a path, I decided to get to the Maudsley by going by tube to Brixton and walking the mile or so along Cold Harbour Lane to Kings College Hospital and over the road to the Maudsley. This took 20 to 30 minutes. After the appointment, I did the same journey in reverse. This was not an unpleasent walk, and an example of a green and healthy choice espoused by Walking Works, a project of Living Streets which is a charity aiming to make our streets better places to be for people on foot. Walking Works is running (haha) a competition to find the best 'walking music track' to add to their walking music compilation album, which you can enter when you pledge to walk to work.
Although mainly a cyclist, I do enjoy walking (mainly when deprived of my bike!) and I of course approve of this 'modal choice' if it gets folk out of their motors and helps them get a healthier circulatory system. And, of course, as walking takes longer than cycling (and sometimes driving, depending on the distance and environment), you get more time to listen to your iPod, which is the prize offered by Walking Works.
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