Ella McCrystal is a psychotherapist and trauma specialist who helps people understand how early life experiences shape the nervous system, self-worth, relationships, and the way we move through the world.

Together we explore the hidden link between ADHD, trauma, masking, rejection sensitivity (RSD), and why so many people with ADHD feel like they have to become someone else just to be accepted. We also discuss how trauma can make ADHD symptoms feel even more overwhelming, why masking is often a survival response, and what healing can actually look like.

If you've ever wondered who you really are beneath the mask, this episode is for you.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:16 How do you separate who you are from who you've had to become to survive?

04:02 The childhood experiences that teach people to mask

13:18 Why ADHD can make you more vulnerable to abuse

17:10 How trauma can intensify rejection sensitivity (RSD)

21:29 Why rejection hurts people with ADHD so deeply

23:49 How to calm your nervous system when RSD is triggered

30:07 Tiimo advert

31:26 Is masking actually a survival response?

36:01 What happens when you finally stop masking

37:55 Why masking leaves so many people feeling lonely

40:42 How to find your people and stop feeling alone

44:32 The one thing people with ADHD need to stop apologising for

47:53 The biggest lie people with ADHD have been taught about themselves

52:11 The message every person with ADHD needs to hear

54:05 A letter to my younger self

Visit Ella’s website 👉 https://ellamccrystal.com

Find Ella on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/ellamccrystal/

Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter

Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817

Order Alex’s latest book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e

Producer: Timon Woodward 

Recorded by: Hamlin Studios

Trailer editor: Ryan Faber

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Sarah Warley is an Oxford-educated psychologist who discusses evidence-based ways to manage ADHD. By examining the scientific literature, she suggests 3 ways to supercharge your ADHD.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer 

01:19 How zinc and copper affect ADHD

04:11 Specific foods that help with zinc and copper deficiency

05:45 What it really feels like to live with ADHD

07:36 What actually helps a ADHD brain become regulated

09:21 How The Moro Reflex Helps ADHD Brains

14:32 What parts of ADHD cause the most shame

17:28 How RSD can be improved with supplementation

19:09 The unique ADHD experience of loneliness

21:06 Tiimo advert

23:52 Why masking feels safer than showing your true self

26:21 What are the long term consequences of masking

32:22 Audience question: diet tips for ADHD brain

33:57 Any tips to manage the challenging traits of autism

35:33 Any diet tips for someone with ADHD going through menopause

37:10 A letter to my younger self

Visit The Key Clinic 👉 https://www.thekeyclinic.co.uk

Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter

Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817

Order Alex’s latest book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e

Producer: Timon Woodward 

Recorded by: Hamlin Studios

Trailer editor: Ryan Faber

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ADHD Love are a neurodivergent married couple and global internet phenomenon with millions of followers online. But this is a side of Rich and Rox you’ve never seen before.

In one of their most honest conversations yet, they open up about the reality of navigating ADHD, autism, masking, intimacy, alcohol, marriage, and the challenges that come with being a neurodivergent couple. We discuss whether ADHD and autism have ever put a strain on their relationship, how their traits clash behind closed doors, Rich’s autism diagnosis, whether either of them could actually be AuDHD, the ups and downs of planning a wedding, and the surprising theory that changed how they understand themselves.

This is a raw and revealing conversation about love, diagnosis, identity, and what it really takes to make a neurodivergent relationship work.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:40 Has ADHD & Autism Ever Strained Their Marriage?

07:27 When ADHD & Autism Clash

15:21 Rich's Autism Diagnosis Story

17:05 The Autism Traits Hidden in Plain Sight

18:35 Did Rich Use Alcohol to Mask?

19:01 Life After Dropping the Mask

20:05 Has Rich Changed Since His Diagnosis?

24:03 Is Rox Actually AuDHD?

31:53 Is Rich Actually AuDHD?

38:26 Tiimo Advert

39:45 Planning a Wedding as a Neurodivergent Couple

43:23 Breaking the Silence on Intimacy

49:50 Rox's HRT Journey

58:28 The Cherry Tree Theory Explained

01:13:45 Biggest Secrets & Quickfire Questions

01:22:19 Audience Questions

01:28:42 A Letter to My Younger Self

Buy The Cherry Tree Theory 👉 https://linktr.ee/ADHD_Love

Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter

Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817

Buy Alex’s latest book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e

Producer: Timon Woodward 

Recorded by: Hamlin Studios

Trailer editor: Ryan Faber

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Shyamal Mashru is an award-winning psychiatrist and ADHD expert who has treated thousands of people with ADHD.

Drawing on years of clinical experience, he shares one of the most honest and comprehensive conversations we've had about the realities of living with ADHD. We explore the emotional impact of diagnosis, why so many people with ADHD grow up believing they're broken, the loneliness and rejection sensitivity that often go unnoticed, and the identity crisis that can follow unmasking.

We also discuss shame, addiction, burnout, AuDHD, ADHD medication, depression, and the life-changing power of finally understanding yourself.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:27 The Most Life-Changing ADHD Diagnosis Story

03:52 The Emotions Nobody Warns You About After an ADHD Diagnosis

05:18 Why People With ADHD Believe They're Broken

06:48 The Damage of Spending Decades Thinking You're the Problem

08:24 The ADHD Assessment That Saved a Life

12:23 Why Self-Understanding Changes Everything

14:12 The Pain of Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)

18:34 The Loneliness of ADHD Nobody Talks About

20:45 The ADHD Identity Crisis After Unmasking

22:22 Tiimo Advert

23:42 A Quick Test to See How Much You're Masking

27:27 When Shame Leads to Addiction

31:37 How Common Is AuDHD?

36:48 Why ADHD Burnout Can Appear Out of Nowhere

38:38 What Happens When You Stop Masking?

40:16 Does ADHD Medication Change Your Personality?

41:41 Can Untreated ADHD Cause Depression?

42:50 A Letter to My Younger Self

Dr Mashru runs the ADHD Health Clinic where you can be seen by him 👉 www.adhdhealthclinic.co.uk

He is also a Consultant Psychiatrist that works in the NHS as the Medical Lead of Harrow Health ADHD service.

Book for an online adult adhd assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/adhd-treatment-options/book-an-adhd-assessment/

Book for an in person adult adhd assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/adhd-treatment-options/in-person-adhd-assessment/

Book for online adult autism assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/autism/book-an-autism-assessment/

Book for in person adult autism assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/autism/in-person-autism-assessment/

Book for online combined adult adhd and autism assessments 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/autism/book-a-combined-autism-adhd-assessment/

Book for in person combined adult adhd and autism assessment 👉https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/autism/in-person-combined-autism-adhd-assessment/

Book for child online adhd assessment 👉https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/adhd-treatment-options/book-an-online-child-adhd-assessment/ 

Book for child in person adhd assessment 👉https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/adhd-treatment-options/in-person-child-adhd-assessments/

Book for child online autism assessments 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/autism/book-an-online-child-autism-assessment/

Book for child in person autism assessment 👉https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/adhd-treatment-options/in-person-child-adhd-assessments/

Book for child online combined adhd and autism assessments 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/adhd-treatment-options/book-an-online-combined-child-autism-adhd-assessment/

Book for child in person combined adhd and autism assessments 👉https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/adhd-treatment-options/in-person-combined-child-autism-adhd-assessment/

Book for talking therapy and coaching 👉https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/adhd-treatment-options/adhd-coaching-and-counselling/

Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter

Complete the Focused survey 👉 https://uk.focused.clinic/adhd-health-survey/quiz

Previous Focused survey results 👉 https://uk.focused.clinic/myhub/adhd-workplace-survey-results

Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817

Order Alex’s latest book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e

Producer: Timon Woodward 

Recorded by: Hamlin Studios

Trailer editor: Ryan Faber

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Samantha Hiew is an ADHD and Autism expert with a PhD in Medical Sciences and lived experience of being AuDHD.

In this episode, we explore the hidden cost of masking Autism, the identity crisis that can follow a late diagnosis, why making friends can feel so difficult, and how to find your true self after years of pretending to be someone you're not.

If you've ever felt different, misunderstood, or like you don't know who you really are, this conversation is for you.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:28 Why Autism Often Goes Unnoticed


03:22 My Emotional Reaction To An Autism Diagnosis


04:59 The Identity Crisis Nobody Talks About


07:18 Processing A Late Autism Diagnosis


11:39 Why Traits Can Feel Stronger After Diagnosis


12:59 The Hidden Cost Of Masking AuDHD


16:40 How To Find Yourself Again


20:32 Tiimo Advert


23:12 Why Making Friends Is So Difficult


25:39 Finding Love As An AuDHDer


30:57 The Stages Of AuDHD Acceptance

35:50 Audience questions

Visit Sam’s website 👉 https://samanthahiew.com

Find Sam on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/samanthahiewphd/

Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter

Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817

Order Alex’s latest book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e

Producer: Timon Woodward

Recorded by: Hamlin Studios

Trailer editor: Ryan Faber

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Alex George is an ADHD and OCD specialist (he's been diagnosed with both!) and one of the most renowned voices in the ADHD space.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:33 The overlap between ADHD & OCD

10:45 How OCD kills people

12:42 How ADHD masks OCD

14:51 ADHD Explained

14:40 Tiimo advert

16:07 Traits of ADHD and OCD

24:48 Audience questions

FInd Dr Alex on Instragam 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dralexgeorge/?hl=en

Visit Dr Alex’s website 👉 https://www.dralexgeorge.net

Join the ADHD Chatter Patreon community 👉 https://www.patreon.com/cw/ADHDChatter

Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter

Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817

Order Alex’s latest book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e

Producer: Timon Woodward

Recorded by: Hamlin Studios

Trailer editor: Ryan Faber

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor Gina Rippon is a revolutionary Autism specialist . Having written multiple books on the topic, Gina Rippon PHD shares the ultimate guide to live as a woman with autism.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer 

01:20 Why Gina wrote ‘The Lost Girls Of Autism’

04:57 What female autism looks like

07:06 The link between autism and depression 

08:54 What age to girls start masking

11:22 Why autistic girls are bullied 

14:44 The emotional toll of masking 

17:33 Autism and abusive relationships 

18:38 How women react to a diagnosis 

23:13 Is female autism harder than male autism 

24:44 Tiimo advert 

26:05 Why plans changing causes panic

33:12 AuDHD (when you have ADHD and autism)

43:36 The key to thriving with autism 

45:46 How hormones impact autism 

54:29 Groundbreaking new autism research 

57:58 Audience questions 

01:03:22 A letter to my younger self 

Find Gina on LinkedIn 👉 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/gina-rippon-33287819

Buy ‘The Lost Girls Of Autism’ 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Girls-Autism-Autistic-Research-ebook/dp/B0CX7G2BZW

Join the ADHD Chatter Patreon community 👉 https://www.patreon.com/cw/ADHDChatter

Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter

Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817

Order Alex’s latest book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e

Producer: Timon Woodward 

Recorded by: Hamlin Studios

Trailer editor: Ryan Faber

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Helen Wall has over 25 years experience in improving the lives of women.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:38 The struggles of female ADHD

03:17 The toll of undiagnosed ADHD

14:13 Do ADHD women deserve an apology

16:38 Most memorable diagnosis reactions

19:45 Tiimo advert

21:06 The truth about hormones and ADHD

25:11 The truth about ADHD and the menopause

34:05 A message of hope for ADHD women

37:10 Audience questions

44:04 A letter to my younger self

Visit Helen’s website 👉 https://tvhealthdoctor.com

Order Helen’s book 👉 https://lnk.to/menopauseandadhd

Find Helen on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/doctorhelenwall/

ADHD Chatter LIVE show tickets 👉 https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/adhd-chatter/?cpch=AEGPRESUK_SOCIAL&cpcn=AEGPRESUK_ADHDChatter_London_SOCIAL_Artist_11032026_OGNC_&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

Join the ADHD Chatter Patreon community 👉 https://www.patreon.com/cw/ADHDChatter

Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter

Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817

Order Alex’s latest book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e

Producer: Timon Woodward 

Recorded by: Hamlin Studios

Trailer editor: Ryan Faber

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Khurram is a world renowned, award-winning psychiatrist and author of Explaining AuDHD. He’s here to explain the emotional toll of undiagnosed AuDHD.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Jessica Eccles PHD is an ADHD expert specialising in RSD. Oxford and Cambridge graduate in medicine, she’s here to share groundbreaking research shedding light on RSD

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

02:13 New RSD research

15:53 The link between RSD and masking

27:46 Beth’s RSD story

33:07 How RSD makes you vulnerable

34:50 RSD coping strategies

36:18 Tiimo advert

37:53 What causes an RSD trigger

48:15 How to measure RSD

54:00 Common medication for RSD related pain

58:47 Audience questions

01:07:54 A letter to my younger self

Find Dr Jessica on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/drbendybrain/

Visit Dr Jessica’s Youtube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@bendybraindrjessicaeccles

ADHD Chatter LIVE show tickets 👉 https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/adhd-chatter/?cpch=AEGPRESUK_SOCIAL&cpcn=AEGPRESUK_ADHDChatter_London_SOCIAL_Artist_11032026_OGNC_&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

Join the ADHD Chatter Patreon community 👉 https://www.patreon.com/cw/ADHDChatter

Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter

Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817

Order Alex’s latest book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e

Producer: Timon Woodward 

Recorded by: Hamlin Studios

Trailer editor: Ryan Faber

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices