In 2017, Morishima Akiko-sensei published a comic essay in which she speaks at length about living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  Otona no Hattatsu Shougai Kamoshirenai!?  (おとなの発達障害かもしれない! ?), which translates to something like, “Is it possibly an adult development disorder!?” is a comic essay which her details her struggles working, her diagnosis, drug treatment – even family history. It’s an unprecedented look at extremely personal issues, and exactly the kind of thing that makes for a powerful and compelling comic essay. (It’s exactly the kind of thing East Press is putting out now – My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness is probably their best-selling book so far, but they’ve been really digging in and publishing a lot of these personal confidentials about topics we don’t talk about – depression, AHDH, sexuality, gender, abuse, and the like.)

In this volume, we begin with Morishima-sensei’s description of concentration issues, energy highs and lows and other behaviors symptomatic of ADHD. After she did some research on the disorder, she researched clinics, until she found one that seemed like a good choice for her. Once she had her diagnosis, she then embarks on drug and behavioral therapy. More difficult, she moves in with her injured mother, as she’s attempting to work out a dosage schedule that suits her work and her body. Living with her mother makes her aware that her developmental disorder comes from a family medical history of this and similar issues. 

Much of the book is taken up with Morishima-sensei looking at episodes from her childhood with fresh eyes and realizing now what drove her behaviors then. There is a touching part where she “outs” herself as a Yuri manga artist and admits to loving drawing girls so very much.

Luckily for Morishima-sensei, she has two friends with children who have ADHD and are able to provide her with perspective and common ground (and a much-needed sense that whatever-this-new-thing-is is not abnormal.)  By the end of the manga, she’s reconnected with friends, as well. In one of the most encouraging endings to a comic essay I’ve seen, we see her at her drawing table, approaching her work one panel, then one more, then another.  

This is, without exception, the cutest book about ADHD ever. I originally picked it up because I like Morishima-sensei, but it was such a good book that I couldn’t put it down. I’m going to add these two panels to my screensaver to remind me of her resolve and re-engage my own.

Ratings:

Overall – 9

It was my very genuine pleasure to be able to spend a few hours once again with Morishima-sensei last spring and she looked great. (Which has nothing to do with health, as we all know.) I wish her all the very best. Once again, an impressive manga from the pen of Morishima Akiko-sensei.