Dénia turns orange for ADHD
DÉNIA town hall was lit up in orange on Friday night from 20.00 in support of sufferers of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and to raise awareness of their plight.
International ADHD Day saw orange glows around the world, although few towns did so in the Valencian region other than the Marina Alta district capital.
The local support and information groups, the Marina Alta ADHD Association (ADAHMA) and TDAH+16
Valencia-Dénia, set up stalls where passers-by could find out more.
ADHD is normally detected in childhood, typically among kids who are 'rowdy in class' and 'never sit down', although it is notoriously under-diagnosed in girls, and in adults.
Female ADHD sufferers are more likely to display the 'hyperactivity' aspect through talking non-stop and at speed, rather than boisterous behaviour, and the 'H' part of the condition frequently loses impetus in adulthood.
Even less visible is ADD, or
Attention-Deficit Disorder but without hyperactivity – it can make social and working life hell if not diagnosed and treated.
Typical signs of the latter in children may be constant daydreaming and failing to complete schoolwork, even if the pupil is very intelligent, and general inability to focus, lack of concentration and 'brain fog'.
As adults, they suffer stigma, as it is often assumed they are 'rude', uninterested in conversations, or 'slapdash'.