Today I’m joined by H Harris who coaches neurodivergent people to own the sh*t out of who they are! I came across them on social media when they shared a post that talked about double masking as a black neurodivergent person.

We had an amazing conversation covering a lot of topics that I think will be helpful for so many people.

In this episode we talk about:

You can follow H on Tik Tik and Instagram and direct message them about coaching if you’d like to know more. We will be back with part 2 in the new year so keep an eye out!

I hope you’re enjoying these episodes. We’ve got some great episodes planned in for the end of this season so subscribe to listen out for more. Every time you listen or hit subscribe it pushes the pod up the charts and I truly appreciate it!

You can also find me over here:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coulditbeadhd_thepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coulditbeadhd

Website: www.coulditbeadhd.co.uk  On the website you’ll find a free downloadable resource to help you on the pathway to a diagnosis

You can also join my private Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/471027132415779 

Sarah Cawood is a TV presenter who regularly appeared on shows like Live and Kicking, Top of the Pops and MTV back in the 90s and 00s – if you’re a 40-something like me you’ll remember those days well! Sarah has had the most incredible and challenging few years surviving breast cancer and navigating menopause. She identifies with ADHD traits and has found a way to navigate menopause and life without HRT that works for her and her family.

It was a pleasure to have Sarah on and take on board her infectious energy and outlook on life.

In  this episode we talk about:

• How Sarah’s ADHD traits started to manifest

You can find Sarah over on Instagram here and check out her affiliate links for both Simon Ourian (the skincare range I use – and no I don’t get anything from this I just love it!) and Scentsy here.

I hope you’re enjoying these episodes. We’ve got some great episodes planned in for the end of this season so subscribe to listen out for more. Every time you listen or hit subscribe it pushes the pod up the charts and I truly appreciate it!

You can also find me over here:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coulditbeadhd_thepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coulditbeadhd

Website: www.coulditbeadhd.co.uk  On the website you’ll find a free downloadable resource to help you on the pathway to a diagnosis

You can also join my private Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/471027132415779 

In this episode I talk about the correlation between neurodivergency and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

I ran a webinar recently with BDD specialist Dr Lauren Peile for the BDD foundation (the only charity dedicated to supporting people with BDD) and found out that 80% of the children in the BDD specialist unit in London were neurodivergent.

I have cared for an adolescent for a number of years with BDD and helped them through extensive therapy. I also have another close family member with BDD. And we are a neurodivergent family. So although there still needs to be more research on this there is a clear correlation of some kind.

This made me even more aware of how this information needs to be common knowledge in the neurodivergent community.

But neurodivergent or not, It’s always good to be aware of what BDD is, the signs of BDD and how to best support a young person with BDD. The effects can be devastating – but the good news is that recovery is possible.

As a neurodivergent yourself it’s likely you have neurodivergent children. You probably already know how OCD, anxiety, depression and eating disorders might present themselves, but what about BDD? And with estimates that up to 2% of the population suffer with BDD, often suffering an average of 10 years before seeking treatment, it’s clear it’s also highly prevalent.

In this episode I share:

• What BDD looks like (and what it’s not)

Whether you’re ADHD, Autistic, or have any other neurodivergence, being aware of the signs of BDD is really important so that you can intervene early.

For screening tests and further support head to the BDD Foundation's website: https://bddfoundation.org/

To listen to the webinar with me and Dr Peile on YouTube for Parents and Carers of children with BDD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1XTtm1eTRc

To join my private Facebook support group for parents and carers of children with BDD: https://www.facebook.com/

Nicola Cheetham is a fellow late diagnosed ADHDer and Advocate who received her diagnosis when she was 50. Nicola has grown a large following on Tik Tok and is dedicated to helpng people access a diagnosis through the right to choose pathway to avoid lengthy wait times and to empower people to advocate for them themselves.

This is such a juicy episode full of useful info about right to choose!

We talk about

• How her ADHD realisations came about

Find out more about Nicola over on Tik Tik where you can also find a link to her ADHD Right to Choose documents.

https://www.tiktok.com/@nicolasgotadhd

If you liked this episode then please do follow as I’ve got more incredible guests lined up every week.

You can also find me over here:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coulditbeadhd_thepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coulditbeadhd

Website: www.coulditbeadhd.co.uk  On the website you’ll find a free downloadable resource to help you on the pathway to a diagnosis

You can also join my private Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/471027132415779 

Wes Woodson is an incredible human, public speaker and mental health advocate making a difference to the lives of teenagers up and down the US touring Universities and Colleges. Through his talks and workshops fighting the stigma and giving children the tools to manage their mental health.

In this episode we talk about:

• Wes’s experience at Primary School and feeling different.

Follow Wes over on Instagram (and threads!) to follow his speaking journey  https://www.instagram.com/weswoodson/

If you liked this episode then please do subscribe to the podcast as I’ve got more incredible guests lined up every week. You can also find me over here:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coulditbeadhd_thepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coulditbeadhd

Website: www.coulditbeadhd.co.uk On the website you’ll find a free downloadable resource to help you on the pathway to a diagnosis

You can also join my private Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/471027132415779

Meredith Carder is an ADHD Coach, creator and writer with a BS in psychology and MBA. As a true multi-passionate adult with ADHD, Meredith has gained considerable experience over the last 20 years working in employee training and development, as well as successfully running several small businesses culminating in a huge following on social media.

Meredith shares her ADHD story with us and how as an adult, the struggles started to creep in. And like so many of my guests these realisations started to come to light when she found out about her child’s neurodivergences.

In this episode we talk about:

• The diagnosis pathways in the US

Meredith has some great strategies in her brand new book ‘It all makes sense now’ designed for anyone who wants to learn more about their ADHD and strategies they can try out to manage some of their ADHD struggles. I’ve found it super easy to read with bite size-tips. Great for anyone who is at the start of their journey. Buy your copy here

You can find Meredith on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/hummingbird_adhd/

If you liked this episode then please do subscribe to the podcast as I’ve got more incredible guests lined up every week. You can also find me over here:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coulditbeadhd_thepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coulditbeadhd

Website: www.coulditbeadhd.co.uk On the website you’ll find a free downloadable resource to help you on the pathway to a diagnosis

You can also join my private Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/471027132415779

Helen Dewdney is a well-known journalist and consumer champion who regular features in the media on programs like Sky, ITV News, Rip Off Britain and Alexis and Friends, giving her advice and expertise on consumer matters. Over the years it became clear to her colleagues that she was Neurodivergent, unbeknown to her! Until one day it all clicked.

I met Helen through a Neurdodivergent group we’re both a part of and LOVE Helens authenticity and straight-up approach. She has a huge passion for justice and she shares not only some great stories from her younger years, but some tips for fellow ADHDers on how to advocate for themselves when it comes to complaining.

This is something a lot of us find hard due to rejection sensitivities, something I hear more and more of that is common among ADHDers.

In this episode we talk about:

• How Helen’s friends and staff recognised her neurodivergent traits when she was working in children’s services

• Her struggles with reading people’s intentions and her straight-up approach • How her neurodivergent traits showed up when she was younger

• How important her sense of justice is, a common feeling among ADHDers, and how it’s shaped her career

• How as ADHDers we both find it hard to accept the first answer to a problem and demand a fullproof solution so that others don’t come up against the same struggles we did.

• How to get over your RSD and tips for making a complaint • Helen’s personal reasons for not seeking a diagnosis and how she’s put in place great support systems to manage any struggles

• Finishing the episode on our soapbox as we complain about smalltalk! If you liked this episode then please do follow as I’ve got more incredible guests lined up every week.

You can also find me over here:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coulditbeadhd_thepodcast

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coulditbeadhd

Website: www.coulditbeadhd.co.uk  On the website you’ll find a free downloadable resource to help you on the pathway to a diagnosis

You can also join my private Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/471027132415779 

If you want to find out more about Helen or download her book then you can find her details here: https://thecomplainingcow.co.uk/ 

A friend said that the first part of your ADHD diagnosis is filing through memories and past life experiences and making sense of things. And this was an example of something that popped into my head this week.

I get SO sad when I can't have the things I want. And that sounds like a spoilt brat right? But I don't have many other ways to describe it. I don't outwardly stamp my feet (well not often!) but I feel a deep sadness. Because when I get an idea into my head, and I spend hours researching it (to the detriment of others around me) I feel like I can't stop until I've made it a reality, or I've quite literally lost the flow. Like gone numb from it.

My tent story is a CLASSIC example of how it doesn't matter what anyone says to me, I'll ignore it all. Which is scary. Scary that I get so much satisfaction from hours of looking at things (what a waste of precious time) and that I've spent years putting energy into so many things that never worked out.

This is the side of ADHD that is my biggest struggle. One I still struggle with now. One that can cost money and arguments. But I'm getting better at recognising the patterns and trying to understand my feelings better so I don't put my energy and time into the wrong things. Thank you ADHD!

I don't have the answers - but this isn't something I hear all the time so maybe it resonates with you? And maybe you can take a step back now and try to evaluate what's actually happening before you fall into the black hole.

If you'd like to know more about ADHD and are thinking about the diagnosis process then download my free support email here: https://www.coulditbeadhd.co.uk/adhd-support 

Follow me on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/coulditbeadhd_thepodcast 

Please subscribe to the podcast (just click the little follow button) 

And if you want somewhere to come and chat then I've got a little Facebook group over here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/471027132415779 

Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/3_D1gKE-3Gs?si=Z6O8qVSOtMPvfKDx 

Louise Harman is a no BS copy and messaging coach and business friend who is on the pathway for an ADHD diagnosis.

With 200K people on the wait list in the UK I’m a firm believer that we should feel empowered to start exploring those ADHD realisations while we wait in limbo, and so this conversation is really important to share with you all so you can feel inspired to do the same.

In this episode Louise also shares some great tips on how she incorporates joy into the mundane tasks to get shit done so listen to the end for the good stuff!

We talk about:

• How ADHD first came under Louise’s radar

Please do follow the podcast (click the little follow button at the top) and come and say hey over on Instagram. www.instagram.com/coulditbeadhd_thepodcast

You can sign up for podcast alerts over on my website www.coulditbeadhd.co.uk

And If you loved what you heard you can support the podcast by buying me a cuppa coffee the next time I’m at the café editing away! https://buymeacoffee.com/coulditbeadhd

To find out more about Louise head to: https://www.instagram.com/loulououtloud/

Okay -  I did a couple of experiments. To see how these things would feel. Whether this is unmasking or not, it felt great and I'm going to continue to lean into those feelings!

A very honest episode I hope you enjoy it and it inspires you in some way to lean into those things you've told yourself you can't do because society frowns upon it.

On your ADHD journey? Come and join our group for anyone who wants to come and chat about it in a safe place over here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/471027132415779 

Come and follow me on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/coulditbeadhd_thepodcast

Head to the website and sign up for emails here: www.coulditbeadhd.co.uk