Learning to advocate for yourself is something many of us are encouraged to do more of. We’re told it’s healthy to speak up about our needs, set boundaries and be honest about what we can realistically manage. In theory it sounds empowering. In reality, it can sometimes feel a little more complicated. Recently I found […]
Why advocating for yourself can still feel hard with ADHD or autism Read More »
For many women, ADHD isn’t just about the brain. It’s experienced through the body – in energy levels, nervous system responses and everyday wellbeing. A growing body of clinical observation and research is starting to clarify why this might be true, especially when conditions like Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
ADHD is about the brain and the body Read More »
Many women who discover their ADHD in midlife describe the same quiet, unsettling feeling. On paper they have achieved a great deal – careers, families, responsibilities managed for years – yet inside they sometimes feel like they have somehow slipped through the net and will eventually be “found out”. This experience is often described
Late diagnosed ADHD in women – why so many feel like imposters in midlife Read More »
No one told me that a caesarean birth could change my body for life. I was told how the surgery would happen. I was told how long recovery might take. I was told when I could drive again, lift a kettle, or return to daily life. What I was not told was that years later,
The hidden lifetime impact of caesarean birth on women’s bodies and nervous systems Read More »
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with ADHD, you may be feeling a surprising mix of emotions. Relief, because something finally makes sense. Grief, for the years spent struggling without answers. Validation, tinged with anger or sadness. Or perhaps numbness, uncertainty, or the quiet thought – what happens now? All these responses are normal. A
I’ve just been diagnosed with ADHD – what do I do now? A gentle next step for women Read More »
This question often arrives with a mix of relief and doubt. Relief, because something has finally clicked and the struggles with focus, overwhelm, exhaustion or emotional intensity suddenly make sense. And doubt, because you’ve managed for this long, so surely it can’t be ADHD… can it? For many women, especially in midlife, wondering
Should I get assessed for ADHD in midlife? A gentle guide for women Read More »
For many women, work has never just been about earning a living. It’s been about identity, safety, belonging, proving you’re capable and holding everything together. Being seen as reliable, intelligent and useful – even when it costs you more than anyone realises. If you’re autistic, ADHD or both (AuDHD), midlife can quietly unsettle all
ADHD, autism and work in midlife: navigating identity and self-worth Read More »
You’re in a conversation and someone says something that is plainly wrong. Not nuanced or debatable, just wrong. And instead of tilting your head, softening your tone, cushioning the truth so it lands gently, you say it. “That’s not correct.” No smile to soften it, no apology for saying the thing out loud or emotional
Why I don’t give a flying fajita! Read More »
The new autism research helping late-identified women make sense of a lifetime of masking For decades, autism was explained through one dominant idea: that autistic people were “mind-blind”. This theory suggested autistic individuals struggled to understand other people’s thoughts or emotions, shaping research, diagnosis, education and public perception for nearly forty years. Autism became
When understanding yourself changes everything with autism Read More »
I’ve written before about my own experience of friendships that have fallen away. It was a very personal piece – you can read it HERE if you’re interested. This time, though, I want to explore friendships and relationships more broadly, looking a little deeper at hormones, neurodivergence, and how, for many women in midlife, these
Friendships and relationships in midlife with ADHD or autism – what changes and why Read More »
