In this episode, campaigner and author, Rebecca Schiller and I explore the Boom and Bust cycle of hyperfocus and burnout that is so common for those living with ADHD. 

It’s not yet part of the official criteria for diagnosing ADHD and yet it’s come up time and time again when I talk to both experts and folks with ADHD. Boom and Bust – the idea that you go all out and then collapse in a heap. For me, it’s always been something I’ve confused with being physically ill, being lazy, having anxiety or depression.

Rebecca is an author, journalist and women's rights campaigner, and unbelievably so much more. A tireless advocate for the childbirth charity, Birthrights, as well as issues of inclusivity AND the founder of Mothers Who Write network and writers’ retreats, all the while running a small-holding in Kent with her husband and two kids - Rebecca is busy. Her memoir, Earthed is all about how own journey of discovery following a diagnosis of ADHD.

Rebecca shares the physical cost of masking to fit in, how self acceptance has to take into account the role society plays in our perception of our selves, and how shrinking our lives can be a long-term result of perpetual boom and bust. We talk about how to reclaim this cycle outside of the ‘neurotypical’ paradigm, the impact of lockdown, and Rebecca reveals why certain aspects of boom and bust might be a great way for some people to work.

Rebecca’s book, Earthed is out in paperback now: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/earthed-a-memoir/9781783966394

And here is her platform created especially for mothers who write: https://motherswhowrite.co.uk/ 

She also references Marta Rose: https://martarose-neurodivergentcreators-com.ck.page/9d449add24

THE EXPERT

Dr Mohamed Abdelghani is a consultant psychiatrist who specialises in mood disorders and adult ADHD. www.Dyad-medical.com 

Please note, your first port of call if you think you might have ADHD should be your GP. In the meantime, you can find more information here: 

Understanding ADHD in Girls and Women, by Joanne Steer

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1787754006/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1646068472&sr=8-1

The ADHD Foundation 

https://adhdfoundation.org.uk/

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