Hands trembling, ears deafened, mouth wanting to burst but remained to shut up, and eyes blinded. Harsh words that cut deep down to my heart, failing to understand the reason why He did this to me. Of all the other people, why did it happen to me? Why my daughter? 

 

Signs. Maybe my child is just aloof, so she doesn't pay attention as much as we do. What if that explains why she doesn't appear to listen? Having a dilemma with concentrating? We all experience that occasionally, right? Being too hyper? She's a child. What do you expect? My daughter does not have that so-called ADHD. 

 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD, is one of childhood's most common neurodevelopmental disorders. According to the ADHD Society of the Philippines, it is the most common mental disorder among children affecting an estimated three to five percent of the 0-14 years old population in the Philippines. 

 

Three percent? My daughter doesn't belong to that percentage. I don't want the world to label her with ADHD. A lot of people are still ignorant about these types of diseases. This scenario is the reality of life that I do not want her to experience, that those who seem different are fired with torturing hints of criticism. These harsh words of judgment might drown my child. Therefore, I stand by my words; she doesn't have ADHD.

 

Denial. One of the most challenging stages — especially for parents. However, being in denial would prevent timely intervention. Once ADHD is left untreated, the person is most likely to develop other mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, by doing so, it stops families from learning how to provide the most appropriate support and care for their children.

 

The cycle goes on, I deny, then they shoot back with their "let her have a check-up," and I deny again for the thousandth time. Easy for them to tell as it was not their child, but even if I wanted, I couldn't. They are unaware that looking for a psychiatrist is like looking for a needle in a haystack. 

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends ten psychiatrists for every 100,000 people. However, as of 2021, only 602 psychiatrists registered in the Philippine Psychiatric Association. Each one of them caters to 180,000 Filipinos. 

 

That ratio is not enough to sustain the needs of Filipinos in terms of mental health. The shortage of this type of professionals may also be why mental health is taboo for others and treating it is more complex than ever. Hands unable to grasp the idea. The murmuring sounds of judgment deafened my ears. Eyes blinded by the world of what ifs. What if she has ADHD?