ADHD Journey: ADHD presents unique challenges, including emotional struggles and addiction. Discovering supportive tools and receiving proper diagnosis can illuminate different thinking styles, aiding individuals in managing their lives better while connecting with and understanding their experiences.
Navigating life with ADHD can be challenging, as seen through personal experiences of addiction, emotional struggles, and the quest for self-awareness. Many people like the speaker face internal turmoil, utilizing substances to cope with feelings of abandonment or anger. Discovering tools designed for neurodivergent minds, such as specific apps, can significantly aid in organization and task management. The journey from diagnosis to understanding one's difference is profound, as it often leads to discovering new ways to think and interact with the world. ADHD can create a unique perspective on life, highlighting the importance of finding the right support and strategies to manage daily challenges, as well as the value of empathy and connection with others who understand these struggles.
Navigating ADHD: Understanding ADHD can lead to effective strategies for better productivity, creativity, and supportive relationships, ultimately improving quality of life.
Navigating life with ADHD can be incredibly challenging, especially when it comes to tasks like cleaning or completing projects. However, learning strategies like the Pomodoro method, partnering with supportive friends, and embracing sobriety can significantly improve productivity and creativity. Setting achievable rewards and recognizing one’s unique strengths can foster a healthier mindset, encouraging progress over perfection.
Personal Growth: Personal growth often involves confronting unresolved emotions and establishing healthy boundaries. Overcoming addiction and embracing self-awareness leads to improved relationships and emotional resilience.
Navigating personal struggles, especially with addiction and emotional challenges, often requires deep self-reflection and growth. The speaker reflects on a difficult relationship that forced them into therapy and self-discovery, revealing how unresolved emotions can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Recognizing the need for boundaries and the importance of saying 'no' signifies a shift towards healthier interactions and self-awareness, essential for overcoming past patterns. This journey embodies the complex relationship between personal accountability and the impact of external pressures on one’s emotional state. Understanding rejection sensitivity and internalized anger plays a vital role in healing and managing future relationships. Ultimately, growth requires effort and patience, and acknowledging one’s flaws can pave the way for personal development and better connections with others.
ADHD and RSD: Rejection sensitive dysphoria in ADHD often leads to painful emotional reactions to criticism and interruptions. Daily distractions turn simple tasks into complicated side quests. Understanding these challenges can evoke empathy and patience from both oneself and others.
Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is deeply felt by those with ADHD, making criticism feel like a painful dagger. This emotional response often stems from past experiences where individuals faced numerous criticisms, leading to heightened sensitivity in adulthood. Everyday situations, like wanting focused attention while sharing a story, can feel like rejection when interrupted. ADHD also leads to frequent distractions, turning simple tasks into ‘side quests’ where the initial goal becomes lost in various distractions, like trying to find a missing sock. This is just a part of daily life for those with ADHD, which often makes interactions with others even more challenging. However, understanding these experiences can foster empathy and patience, both from oneself and others. It’s a reminder that the journey through day-to-day tasks may not follow a straight path, but it’s filled with unique and relatable experiences that many can understand.
Embracing Individuality: ADHD can lead to unique approaches to life and tasks. Embracing individuality and the joy of simply being is more valuable than societal pressures for success. Finding balance between passion and stability can bring true happiness.
Navigating life with ADHD often brings unique challenges, such as managing daily tasks and balancing ambitions. People with ADHD might struggle to stay focused or organized, leading to unconventional methods of completing tasks. It's important to embrace individuality and not be pressured by societal expectations of success, emphasizing the joy in simply being rather than achieving fame or wealth. Finding fulfillment can sometimes mean pursuing passion projects while maintaining stable jobs, allowing for creative freedom without the constraints of financial insecurity. Real happiness often lies in everyday moments and connections, rather than the relentless pursuit of recognition and material success.
Food and Anxiety: The anxiety surrounding food and body image often arises from living in a world filled with unhealthy options. Recognizing these influences can help individuals better cope with their feelings towards eating and improve their mental well-being.
The struggle with food and body image is deeply intertwined with anxiety, especially in a world filled with unhealthy options that tempt us. Many people find themselves caught in a cycle of stress and unhealthy eating habits, leading to guilt and body dysmorphia. This tension is amplified by societal pressures and the pervasive influence of convenient but unhealthy food choices. Understanding these patterns can help individuals recognize that their anxieties about food and body may stem from the challenging environment around them. Realizing that it's not solely about personal willpower, but rather about navigating a landscape that often prioritizes unhealthy options, may offer a sense of relief. The connection between mental health and diet is significant, and addressing these emotions can lead to a more balanced approach towards eating and self-acceptance.
Emotional Awareness: Personal growth involves understanding emotional needs, knowing when to leave situations, and balancing honesty with sensitivity toward others to foster healthier relationships.
Listening to oneself is essential for personal wellbeing and liberation, as seen in the metaphor of having a cluttered shed filled with overwhelming emotions. The conversation highlights the importance of knowing when to leave situations for one's own health and reflects on the complexities of expressing feelings. It also touches on how impulsivity and radical honesty can lead to miscommunication and social challenges. Understanding different attachment styles can further aid in connecting sensitively with others. One should balance curiosity and honesty with care for how others might receive it, as too much openness can sometimes alienate people. Being mindful of each person's emotional space leads to healthier relationships while recognizing the value of community and connection encourages healthier independence. Ultimately, it acknowledges that growing through self-awareness can mitigate the downsides of impulsivity and foster more gratifying interactions.
"I was SCARED to let someone love me!" - Jordan Stephens Dissects ADHD Diagnosis
ADHD Chatter
106 Episodes
Recent Episodes from ADHD Chatter
"I wouldn't change him for anything!" - An ADHD parent & autistic son's journey
Dan Harris and his non-speaking son, The Joshie Man, share their inspiring journey, full of heart warming insight.
Dan is the founder of the charity, Neurodiversity in Business, advocating for the rights of neurodivergent folk to access neuroinclusive workplaces.
You can find out more details at www.neurodiversity.org.
Chapters:
00:42 A message from our sponsor: Tiimo
02:46 Start of interview
03:27 I quite often ask this question at the end but I think it would be a good one to start with:
04:02 Could you explain in detail the general spectrum of ASD, where you place on it and then where Joshy would be placed on it?
05:44 You hear quite regularly things like "oh my friend, he/she is a bit on the spectrum", it seems in some way, we are all on the spectrum. That's why it's a spectrum and not binary. Is this true? Do we all have a bit of an -ism?
07:12 You’ve been diagnosed with ADHD and Autism, when was your first memory of feeling different?
10:08 Do you think you could describe as accurately as best you can what Joshy's experience of the world is?
12:12 How does Joshy show and process his emotions and feelings?
13:11 What is the general communication like between yourself and Joshy and how has that evolved over time
14:00 Did it take time to come to terms with Joshy's diagnosis and if so, what were the stages of processing like for you?
17:22 How have you coped as a father?
19:24 ADHD Item
21:31 Were there any tell-tale signs of Joshy's condition very early in his life and if so, how early?
22:49 A message from our sponsor: Stasis
24:16 How has the world changed with regards to how it views autism since your personal diagnosis?
27:46 Is there a chasm that needs to be addressed with regards to Joshy's experience of the world and how people with his condition are viewed by authorities?
32:21 How would you like the world to change over the next 10 years with regards to ADHD and Autism?
34:14 What Autism associated stigma would you most like to debunk?
36:13 What nonverbal autistic stigma would you most like to debunk?
40:06 Washing machine of woes
Dan is fighting for Communication Boards to be installed globally to help non-speaking people access their communities: https://neurodiversityinbusiness.org/communicationboards/
Find Dan on LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/danjharris/
Get started with Tiimo for free on mobile or web by following this link:
https://tiimo.onelink.me/w6CP/AlexPartridge
Do you want to feel the benefits of Stasis? Use code ADHDCHATTER for 20% off your first order. Discount automatically applied at checkout: https://takestasis.com/discount/ADHDCHATTER?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=adhdchatter2409&utm_id=adhdchatter
Valid for US customers only
Producer: Timon Woodward
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"I was SCARED to let someone love me!" - Jordan Stephens Dissects ADHD Diagnosis
Jordan Stephens is best known for being one half of Rizzle Kicks. Today he dissects his ADHD diagnosis and shares the many life-changing lessons he’s learnt.
Topics:
00:00 Trailer
01:20 A message from our sponsor: Timoo
04:36 ADHD item reveal
05:11 What was your first memory of feeling different?
07:14 You were diagnosed twice with ADHD, is that right?
10:36 What was your first memory of being made to feel different by somebody else?
Do you have any visual analogies that best demonstrate how ADHD manifests in you?
14:32 You’re a bit of a polymath. A musician, author, actor, mental health activist, do you think your ADHD stood you in good stead with your varied career paths?
19:34 What do you think divided you - who has clearly been able to use his brain and creative capacity to further your career - to those who only experience the negatives of ADHD?
24:11 Drugs and alcohol
25:53 So with great success always comes great criticism. Managing so many different careers, do you suffer RSD across those pursuits?
30:11 What do you think other people's experience of working with you is?
36:56 A message from our sponsor: Stasis
38:24 ADHD item segment
43:19 The Washing Machine of Woes (ADHD Agony Aunt segment)
48:18 You’ve written a book about heartbreak which makes me wonder, how do you experience Love and is it an intense experience perpetuated by your ADHD?
57:29 You've spoken before about body dysmorphia, is that something you feel comfortable talking about?
01:05:56 Why was it important for you to come on this podcast and talk about ADHD?
01:07:43 A letter from the previous guest
01:09:21 BTS footage + posting the letter + Signing the canvas
Get started with Tiimo for free on mobile or web by following this link:
https://tiimo.onelink.me/w6CP/AlexPartridge
Do you want to feel the benefits of Stasis? Use code ADHDCHATTER for 20% off your first order. Discount automatically applied at checkout: https://takestasis.com/discount/ADHDCHATTER?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=adhdchatter2409&utm_id=adhdchatter
Valid for US customers only
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
'ADHD caused my divorce!' - 5 Vital Lessons From a Late Diagnosed ADHD Woman - Stacey Duguid
Stacey Duguid has worked for brands including Giorgio Armani, Prada and ELLE, but today she opens up about her late ADHD diagnosis, and the vital lessons she's learnt along the way.
Chapters:
00:00 Trailer
01:56 ADHD Item reveal
02:49 An opening tradition on this podcast: What is your earliest memory of feeling different?
06:41 What’s your earliest memory of being told that you're different by someone else?
08:48 How did feeling different manifest itself in your earlier years as a child and then as a teenager?
13:42 Why do you think it took so long for you to be diagnosed with ADHD?
21:25 What was your family's response to your diagnosis?
22:45 Is it hard to explain ADHD to other people, do you find people take it seriously as a diagnosis?
25:47 After you were diagnosed did you feel like you presented yourself in a different way socially, professional or in your relationships? Did you approach people with a renewed sense of confidence?
30:56 Do you think you have any autistic traits?
35:29 have you struggled with addiction and if so, just how bad did it get and how have you overcome this?
40:34 What was (and is) dating like for you as someone with ADHD?
47:16 Do you find what you're looking for in a partner has changed pre and post ADHD diagnosis?
51:07 Your ADHD item (red wine)
54:07 How did you meet your ex-husband?
55:13 You were married for 10 years? And this was pre-diagnosis...what was managing a committed relationship like with ADHD and no diagnosis?
58:26 Is ADHD your friend or your enemy?
01:00:57 How did ADHD play its part in your marriage failing?
01:03:56 What does divorce do to one's self-esteem taking into consideration an ADHDer's RSD?
01:10:23 How have your ADHD traits played a part in your incredible success within your respective careers?
01:17:27 Why was it important for you to come on this podcast?
01:22:14 The Washing Machine of Woes
01:24:38 Letter from previous guest
Follow Stacey on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/staceyduguid/?hl=en
Buy Stacey's book 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pursuit-Happiness-Mating-Marriage-Motherhood/dp/0349435197/
Producer: Timon Woodward
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bitesize: 3 Important Realisations From A Late Diagnosed ADHD Woman
Kate Spicer shares her important post ADHD diagnosis realisations. Kate is a lifestyle journalist who has written for Vogue, the Sunday Times, The Times, the Daily Mail and the Evening Standard.
Read Kate's Substack 👉 https://katespicer.substack.com/archive
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"I masked for too long!" - Ellie Middleton details impact of late AuDHD diagnosis
Ellie Middleton is an activist, speaker and writer committed to breaking taboos and empowering neurodivergent people to thrive in and out of the workplace. Ellie's story is tragically relatable, but also full of hope, insight and wisdom.
00:00 Trailer
03:04 Shall we start by explaining in brief your diagnoses and where they came throughout your life?
07:52 What were the various iterations of masking throughout your childhood?
10:51 What are the hidden costs of masking
16:06 When was the last time you felt truly 100% unmasked and this made you feel uncomfortable to feel like you're being yourself?
23:59 When was the last time you felt truly 100% unmasked and this made you feel incredibly liberated and accepted?
27:12 From your experience, what toll does the feeling of being misunderstood take on a person at the time it's happening, and in hindsight what toll do you think it can play on a person when they reach adulthood?
31:14 We’ve had a few guests on with AuDHD and one of the most illustrative of analogies is "it's like 2 siblings dragging each other across the room by their hair". How would you describe these two sectors of the brain colliding on a day-to-day basis?
35:46 Last time you were on you described a sort of 6 month pendulum swing of depression that would then swing to optimism and ambition. You haven't been on here for around a year, so I was just wondering if this has cropped up again in your life and how?
39:48 ADHD item
42:24 The washing machine of woes
48:19 Does having ADHD and Autism make you more tolerant of other people who exhibit what might be frustrating symptoms of ADHD and Autism in your personal or professional life?
51:04 You’ve built a fantastic community online lending support to neurodivergents, from those who have reached out, do you see any common themes in the turmoils of those who are feeling lost?
53:23 Have you made any steps over the last year to manage your R.S.D and has it cropped up in your life since you were last on?
58:23 For someone who has said they take things literally and can maybe be more blunt than people are used to, this must cause confusions in conversations and friendships, how does your RSD deal with these confusions?
01:04:07 Why are boundaries important to a person?
01:11:16 At the beginning of your Ted Talk, you listed contradictions of social dynamics that you had trouble balancing. Could you mention a couple of them now?
01:13:18 You then go on to say other neurotypical people just seemed to have a metaphorical rulebook which helped them understand these things that you couldn't get to grips with, did this lead to resentment of being different? Having to work so hard to understand something others know intrinsically?
01:17:01 A letter from the previous guest
Buy Ellie's book 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-You-Goodbye-Should-Would/dp/0241710375
Follow Ellie on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/elliemidds/?hl=en
This episode has been produced for entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to be taken as medical advice or advice in any way.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bitesize: Neuroscientist shares 3 proven HACKS to boost dopamine
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‘Making friends was always IMPOSSIBLE’ - Parul Singh details late AuDHD diagnosis
Parul Singh opens up about her late ADHD & autism diagnosis. It’s insightful, hilarious and very relatable. Thank you Parul for sharing your incredible story with us.
00:00 Trailer
02:48 When was your first memory of feeling like you might have ADHD?
11:45 And since you were last on, you were diagnosed with Autism too, so the second part of the question. When was your first memory of feeling like you have autistic traits?
20:36 How do you find Autism manifests itself in your social and professional life?
24:16 We had Jay Beech on the show who also has AuDHD and he said that the ADHD brain and the Autism brain are like 2 siblings pulling each other by the hair and dragging each other across the room, is this true for you?
25:53 Has this more recent diagnosis made a lot of sense of previous struggles you've had in the past?
30:55 Since your diagnosis, have you found your tribe?
33:25 Has your diagnosis made sense to those closest to you?
36:26 How do you communicate the everyday struggles of being AuDHD to those around you, those people by which your relationship relies heavily on your strength to communicate things to them. i.e friends, family and partner?
44:47 ‘Pebbling’ explained
46:08 In general, do you find it hard to draw out empathy from a person who has a brain that just thinks in a totally different way?
50:16 What part does "Stockholm Syndrome" play in this? And can you briefly explain what Stockholm syndrome is?
53:00 How much of your AuDHD do you think might be caused by complex PTSD?
56:46 The ADHD Item segment
01:00:19 The ADHD Agony Aunt segment (Washing Machine of Woes)
01:02:31 What is the difference between a shutdown and a meltdown? And why might one occur over the other?
01:11:35 How have you learnt to harness both your ADHD and Autism to become a successful individual?
01:13:32 Does your ADHD ever mask your Autism or vice versa?
01:14:28 What is your relationship with alcohol like at the moment and how has that journey been over the years?
01:16:10 The Alien scenario
01:18:41 Most impulsive thing
01:21:01 Signing the ‘thinks outside the box’ canvas
Find Parul on Linkedin 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/parul-parallel-minds/
This episode has been produced for entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to be taken as medical advice or advice in any way.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bitesize: Rich & Rox (ADHD Love) Open Up about Autism, Arguments + RSD
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ADHD and Narcissism: The Hidden Link You NEED To Know! - Dr Mark Rackley
Alex chats with leading psychologist, Dr Mark Rackley.
Expect to learn the signs you're dating a narcissist, the similarities between ADHD and narcissism, and so much more.
Topics:
00:00 Trailer
02:28 A broad question and not yet ADHD specific, but, what is a narcissist and is there a difference between a narcissist and someone with NPD?
06:48 Why do you think narcissism is such a big topic in the world at the moment?
08:27 Is genuine Narcissism or NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder for audience members) common and if so, why do you think that is?
10:10 What does a narcissist need to "survive" and what is it they’re looking for in life (and what are they looking for from people around them)?
14:20 How does a narcissist prey on someone and what sort of people are they looking to exploit?
16:30 Is covert narcissism different to the more mainstream narcissism we hear about and why is it particularly dangerous?
18:21 Are narcissists afraid of being alone and what - in general terms - do you think a narcissist thinks of when they are left alone?
20:00 What might the general timeline be for someone dating a narcissist and that dating turning into a serious relationship i.e how might narcissism show itself gradually in a romantic relationship?
22:04 What tricks does a narcissist use to keep you on their hook if they see you as part of their "narcissistic supply”?
24:05 ADHD Item
27:06 Washing machine of woes
33:09 Do narcissists know they’re narcissists?
34:24 At what point would a narcissist begin to become self-aware that they might indeed have a problem?
36:39 I need to voice some worries of my own! I’m on camera, I think I share some of the traits we've been talking about. I don't like being alone. I need praise to rid me of my RSD….do you think I’m a narcissist? How can I tell?!
39:48 How can I be sure that my traits are just ADHD and not narcissism?
43:09 Are there any other similarities someone with ADHD might have that are typical of a Narcissist, but might not be narcissism?
45:07 If someone has an ADHD partner and they are trying to figure out if it's ADHD, or if there is something more sinister at play, what steps can they take to help try to figure it out?
47:51 Is there a known cause for narcissism and if not, what do you think might be a factor that perpetuates it?
49:18 How to spot a narcissist
53:21 Can you ever change a narcissist and is it worth trying?
54:05 Can narcissists be successful professionally?
57:33 Successful narcissists aside, with the lower rungs of narcissism and perhaps the majority of the narcissistic population that aren't particularly high-functioning CEOs, what can that look like? Or to put it another way, what does the "everyday narcissist" look like?
59:40 Is social media causing narcissism, or is it just the perfect tool for someone who already is a narcissist?
Follow Dr Mark on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/drmarkrackley/
Listen to Dr Mark's podcast 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/2pQcITHSlR5qNUagV0jEgX
This episode has been produced for entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to be taken as medical advice or advice in any way.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“I won’t be BULLIED anymore!” - Shappi Khorsandi explores late ADHD diagnosis
Shappi Khorsandi explores late ADHD diagnosis and shares many lessons she’s learnt. This episode is painfully relatable, but also full of hope, humour and insight.
Shappi is a comedian, author, speaker and advocate for human rights.
00:00 Trailer
02:48 When was your earliest memory of feeling different?
10:30 You were diagnosed at 47? Why did it take so long for you to receive a diagnosis?
14:28 What clicked into place when you heard the words "You have ADHD"?
26:44 You have a great analogy about Tarzan and ADHD, can you explain this for our audience?
33:05 Being diagnosed with ADHD and being a comedian - the creative comedy mind of which is constantly flipping from thought to thought (and I'm sure the two go hand in hand) - but how did this fluid nature of the way the brain works serve in holding down jobs & relationships?
47:52 Moving around a lot when you were younger, changing country, feeling "foreign", facing racism, having ADHD, being shy, that's a lot to deal with for someone who is likely to be emotionally sensitive? What do you think the most testing part of your life has been as far as RSD is concerned?
53:21 What did/do your parents think about ADHD and everything that it entails?
57:30 The ‘ADHD item’ segment
01:03:26 Washing machine of woes
01:09:01 A very personal question and one you don't have to answer of course, but what is the process of a relationship coming to an end and then the subsequent divorce like for the chaotic mind of someone with ADHD?
01:14:33 Do you think that everything you've been through - including your late diagnosis - has helped you build your career?
01:17:41 Where would you be in life without your sense of humour and what purpose does your sense of humour serve in softening the blow of everything we've spoken about already!
01:19:35 A wedding day story
01:23:14 Being very much an outsider through Neurodivergent means and, back when you came to the UK, feeling like an outsider through race too, do you have an explanation in a nutshell that might best describe how ostracised a person would feel, and did feel, in that scenario?
01:27:04 Most impulsive thing
01:31:37 Closing questions & signing the ‘thinks outside the box’ canvas
Buy Shappi's book 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scatter-Brain-finally-rollercoaster-became/dp/1785044206/
Visit Shappi's website for tour tickets 👉 https://shappi.co.uk
This episode has been produced for entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to be taken as medical advice or advice in any way.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.