I get a strange reaction when I tell people that I work at the ADHD and Asperger's Centre. People give me such pity with their eyes. They say things like, "It's such a good thing that you're doing." They look at my like I'm Sally Struthers surrounded by starving African children with flies on their faces. Perhaps they imagine children rolled into balls in the corner, screaming and punching their own faces, while I swoop down like an angel, giving them relief for just another five minutes from their miserable, hopeless lives. "You're such a hero," people sometimes say to me.

It's already odd that no matter what I do -- whether it's therapy, teaching improv, philanthropic clowning, etc -- people assume I work with children. Well, I guess you could say that I work with people's inner children.

But this idea that people with ADHD or Asperger's are hopeless victims is a very strange notion. Yes, they struggle, and most of them have anxiety and/or depression (funny that I probably wouldn't get the same hero-treatment if I told people I worked at the Anxiety and Depression Centre). But ADHD or Asperger's is not a debilitating condition. Our most successful entrepreneurs, actors, artists, writers, inventors, geniuses and millionaires often have one or both conditions. People with ADHD and/or Asperger's tend to be extremely intelligent, creative, empathetic, outside-the-box thinkers and problem-solvers. We're capable of working harder, longer, and smarter than most people (when our superpowers are channeled properly).

You know what I think would really deserve the tilted-head, tongue-clucking, pity/gratitude stare? If I said I specialized in dentists.

Today I spent an hour and a half in the bookstore looking at agendas. Not to buy one, since my planner is still good until January. But to start the process of looking at my options. It's good to have a four-month lead.

Choosing an agenda is an important decision. It's something I'm going to look at every day (dozens of times per day) for a year. It can shape my mood, can put me into a certain head-space, or can be filled with quotes or questions to contemplate each week.

Guest Author:
Jennifer Scott knows how difficult it can be to live with anxiety and depression. She has experienced both since she was in her teens. Today, she writes about the ups and downs of her mental illness on SpiritFinder.org. The blog serves as both a source of information for people with mental illness and a forum where those living with anxiety and depression can come together to discuss their experiences.

Bipolar disorder affects millions of people in the world., but many sufferers go un-diagnosed because of their age or because they have another mood or developmental disorder which masks it. It is especially difficult to diagnose in children, because young people who have not reached maturity don’t show the distinct emotional cycle that adults who have been diagnosed with the disorder do. This cycle can range from mania to anxiety to depression and can include bouts of rage or violence.

Much has been studied regarding the link between bipolar disorder and Asperger’s syndrome, which have very similar symptoms (one can also be diagnosed with both). Those diagnosed with Asperger’s/ASD generally have problems with processing stimuli in social settings and can become obsessed with a particular topic, which they may be vocal about despite issues with language. People suffering from bipolar disorder may also become obsessed with a singular passion--such as art or music--but will often close themselves off from other people while they work on it. They will enter what is called a hypomania phase, which gives them a positive, energetic feeling while they are being creative. The difficult part is when that feeling begins to fade, and they are left with doubts about themselves and their passion. This can in turn lead to depression or violent episodes.