ADHD, Autistic and Mental Health Podcast

ADHD, Autistic and Mental Health Podcast

By Sally NilssonHealth & FitnessMental HealthEducation
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ADHD, Autistic and Mental Health Podcast episodes

  • 30. S4. Ep. 6. “AuDHD Women & Perimenopause: OCD, Hormones, Resilience & ‘Never Say Never’ with Sammi”

    In this episode, I’m joined by Sammi, an AuDHD woman whose life story is defined by determination, resilience, and her mantra: “never say never.”


    From flying solo with the Royal Air Force at just 19 to running her own chemical company, Sammi shares a remarkable journey of persistence through both personal and professional challenges.
    We explore her experiences of OCD, hyperlexia, and mental health struggles, alongside her creative work—including performing a one-woman show about her neurodivergence and writing two books simultaneously.


    Sammi also opens up about her lifelong experience with hormones—from starting her periods at 11, to motherhood, and the significant challenges she has faced during perimenopause. We discuss ADHD medication, the impact of hormonal changes, and the ways she supports her mental health through creativity, including writing poetry and macro photography.


    This is an inspiring and honest conversation about resilience, identity, and navigating perimenopause as a neurodivergent woman.
    A powerful reminder that, no matter how difficult life becomes, it’s always possible to keep going.

    www.sammiford.com

    www.linkedin/in/SammiFord

    www.neurodivergentthoughts.substack.com

    www.instagram.com/SammiFordArt

    www.facebook.com/SammiFordArt

     

    50 min
  • 29. S4. Ep 5. “Perimenopause & ADHD in Women: How to Advocate for Yourself with Your GP”

     

    In this episode, I’m joined by ADHD coach and former nurse Sarah West to explore the realities of navigating perimenopause as an ADHD woman.


    Sarah shares her deeply personal experience of worsening mental health during perimenopause, including overwhelming thoughts, exhaustion, and the fear that something was seriously wrong with her health. After years of going back and forth to her GP without clear answers, she learned how to advocate for herself—and now helps other women do the same.


    We talk openly about the communication challenges many perimenopausal women face with healthcare professionals, and Sarah shares practical strategies you can use to prepare for GP appointments and be heard.


    This conversation also explores the impact of hormonal changes on ADHD symptoms, medication, and emotional wellbeing. Like many neurodivergent women, Sarah experienced a significant decline in mental health during this transition—but also found a way through.


    You’ll come away from this episode with a deeper understanding of ADHD and perimenopause, along with practical tools, validation, and hope for navigating this stage of life.


    This is an essential listen for ADHD, autistic, and neurodivergent women who want to better understand their symptoms, advocate for themselves, and feel less alone.

    https://www.sarahwest-adhd.com/podcast-and-webinars

    https://www.sarahwest-adhd.com/perimenopause-and-menopause

    38 min
  • 28. S4. Ep 4. “Perimenopause, Autism & Chronic Illness: One Woman’s Story of Survival and Strength”

    In this episode, I’m joined by Renee, an autistic and ADHD woman whose life story is one of extraordinary resilience.


    From being a hyperlexic and gifted child, Renee faced significant challenges growing up—navigating difficult experiences at school alongside complex family circumstances, including her mother’s mental health struggles and her father’s terminal illness diagnosis.


    We talk about early trauma, including her experiences around puberty, and the lasting impact these moments can have. Renee also shares her journey through motherhood, including a life-threatening childbirth and the long recovery that followed.


    Despite ongoing challenges, Renee continued to pursue education, earning her qualifications while working across a range of roles—from teaching assistant to accountancy and tutoring. She now lives with multiple chronic conditions, including hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, fibromyalgia, and ME/CFS, alongside chronic pain.


    As she entered perimenopause, everything intensified—creating what she describes as a “perfect storm” of physical, emotional, and neurological challenges.


    Through it all, Renee speaks with honesty about the importance of perseverance, the deep love she has for her family, and how she now supports children through her own outreach work—bringing understanding to those with complex and intersecting needs.
    This is a deeply moving conversation about trauma, neurodivergence, chronic illness, and navigating perimenopause against the odds.

     

    https://www.shoot4themooneducation.com/

     

    1 hr 6 min
  • 27. S4. Ep 3. “Perimenopause & AuDHD: Managing Mental Health Through Movement and Self-Care”

     

    In this episode, I’m joined by Caroline Ross, an AuDHD (autistic and ADHD) coach, NLP practitioner, and founder of an outdoor fitness community supporting new mothers.

    Caroline speaks openly about the impact perimenopause has had on her mental health, and the unique challenges of navigating hormonal changes as a neurodivergent woman.
    We explore how symptoms can intensify during this stage of life, and the emotional toll that can come with it. More importantly, Caroline shares the many ways she supports her wellbeing—through movement, time outdoors, and building sustainable habits that support both body and mind.
    This is an honest and uplifting conversation about resilience, self-awareness, and finding practical ways to feel better during perimenopause as an autistic and ADHD woman.

    https://www.instagram.com/caroline_ross_coaching
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineross-coach

     

     

     

     

    48 min
  • 26. S4, Ep2: “Autistic & ADHD Women in Perimenopause: RSD, Creativity & Late Diagnosis”

    In this episode, I’m joined by writer, producer, and film director Sam Grierson, an autistic and ADHD woman who was diagnosed later in life.


    Sam shares her journey to diagnosis at 43, and how she once believed her struggles were explained by being gay—only to later discover there was much more to understand about herself. We explore the complex process of grieving a younger self, navigating labels, and ultimately finding peace in simply being “Sam.”


    Now in perimenopause, Sam opens up about the intense impact of Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), from small everyday comments to deeper creative criticism like “your work lacks depth.” We also discuss mood swings, cycle awareness, and the importance of tracking symptoms, taking supplements, and avoiding big decisions during certain phases.


    As a highly creative person, Sam shares how staying busy and working on meaningful projects supports her mental health—alongside life in Yorkshire with her wife, children, and two dogs.


    This is an honest and powerful conversation about late diagnosis, identity, creativity, and navigating perimenopause as a neurodivergent woman.

     

    https://www.socrocodile.com/thepause

     

     

     

    52 min
  • 25. S4, Ep1: “Autistic Women & Perimenopause: Therapy, Burnout, and Embracing Change with Lii Brookes”

    In this episode, I’m joined by autistic therapist Lii Brooke, who supports autistic professionals while balancing life as a data analyst, mum, and soon-to-be doctoral researcher in autism.


    We explore how perimenopause can impact autistic women, from the initial panic of changing symptoms to learning how to adapt and embrace this new phase of life. Lii shares her personal experience of navigating hormonal shifts, managing emotional and physical wellbeing, and redefining what self-care looks like during this transition.


    We also dive into her unique and refreshing approach to therapy—combining holistic practices with clear, goal-driven support tailored specifically for autistic clients.
    Along the way, Lii opens up about her dreams for the future, including a peaceful life in a countryside cottage, and the unexpected ways she stays active and grounded.


    This is an honest and reassuring conversation for autistic and neurodivergent women navigating perimenopause, burnout, and identity shifts.

     

    34 min
  • 24. S3, Ep5: Mind/body, menopause and masking with autistic CBT hypnotherapist and counsellor Kathy Carter
    Kathy Carter has an ‘all body’ approach to counselling, seeing the nervous system as paramount when supporting her mainly neurodivergent clients. Like so many late diagnosed women, Kathy discovered her autism after seeing traits in her son, and went on a research journey.
     
    We talk about the post diagnosis journey, and how so many feel people like they are in limbo with no support. Kathy believes it’s our duty as therapists to guide our clients, validate and listen, and support them with resources and psychoeducation.
     
    Masking can be exhausting for so many autistic people, who may begin hiding their true selves as children or teenagers in order to fit in. We talk about how important it is to tread carefully when thinking of lowering our masks, using alcohol to create a persona, how we hide our fear of failure, and the risk of others discovering what we are really like.
     
    We also discuss why the menopause can be a difficult time for neurodivergent people, with all the sensory differences, emotional sensitivities and changes in our bodies that it brings.
     
     
    EPISODE LINKS
     
    WEBSITE: https://www.arrivetherapy.co.uk  
    INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/yourholistictherapist/
    PODCAST: https://arrive-therapy-hypno-cbt.libsyn.com
    54 min
  • 23. S3, Ep4: Andy Reddy’s inspiring journey showing how dyslexia can be both a challenge and a blessing

    Dyslexia is much more than having difficulty with spelling and reading. Dyslexia leaves kids behind, and this impacts on friendships, peer groups, status and confidence, leading to the child feeling like a failure.

    Andy shares his life experiences of being diagnosed dyslexic at school aged five, to coming out of university with not one, but two Masters degrees!

    Andy's sheer determination got him results.  Now he helps others as a Psychologist and Business Coach to ensure other neurodivergent people get all the support they need to build for success.

     

    Find out more and connect with Andy:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyreddy/

    44 min
  • 22. S3, Ep3: Ric Clarke the Data man from Edinburgh on Anaplan modelling, autism, ADHD and advocating in Scotland

    Ric Clarke shares his journey of being diagnosed first as ADHD, then last year as autistic (and with probable dyspraxia thrown in!)

    We talk about his love of running, being both left and right handed and the expectations of needing to do well as his siblings at school, and working hard, but not reaching the expected goals.

    Ric found his talent in data and Anaplan modelling within the building industry, where he also advocates for neurodivergent people in the workplace, showing that we all have so much to give. He is interested in inclusion and working together to make an equal society, while working with skills and challenges and supporting mental health. 

    Ric is also a welfare officer at his running club, has an interest in supplements to boost executive function and gut health, has joined the Lived Experience Panel in Scotland, and is working towards getting a Commissioner within government.

     

    Find out more about Ric and connect with him:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/riccymiccy

    57 min
  • 21. S3, Ep2: How justice runs through the very core of this multiply neurodivergent advocate

    Cora Burke has had many challenges in her life as a surviving twin born with epilepsy, who experienced tough early years growing up in a specialist unit away from her parents.

    But this, and other life-changing challenges, never stopped Cora from being highly adaptable and extremely determined.

    Now Cora has had enough.

    Enough of inequality.

    Enough of autistic and other neurodivergent people not being treated fairly in the home, education and justice systems or the workplace.

    And she’s doing something about it. Cora tells us that, no matter how difficult our lives can be, we can fight for what we believe in. Neurorebellion is such a cause for good. Listen to this inspiring and thought-provoking conversation to hear what it really means when we talk about taking action to help others in the field of Neurodiversity.

     

    Find and connect with Cora:

    https://www.frascatiassociates.com

    https://www.neurorebellion.com
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjaburke/

    45 min

About ADHD, Autistic and Mental Health Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Incredible life stories of Neurodivergent people sharing what it‘s like to live on different spectrums with many traits. Autistic, ADHD, Dyspraxic, Dyscalculic, Tourettes and OCD guests tell us about their childhoods, education, work and personal life - and how their mental health has been impacted by being wired differently.