ADHD Chatter

Paris Hilton is a global icon, entrepreneur, and one of the most recognisable women in the world. But behind the fame and success is a story of childhood trauma, undiagnosed ADHD, and a lifelong struggle to feel understood.

In this deeply personal conversation, Paris opens up about her traumatic experiences at Provo Canyon School, the loneliness behind her public persona, masking her true self, and the emotional pain of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD). We also explore how ADHD affects her everyday life, what she hopes to teach her children about being different, and the emotional message she would give her younger self.

Chapters:

00:00 Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD

03:39 The Trauma Paris Hilton Experienced at Provo Canyon School

06:18 Is Paris Hilton Hiding Her True Self?

08:53 The Hidden Loneliness Behind Paris Hilton’s Fame

10:58 Why Rejection Hurts Paris Hilton So Deeply

13:59 Tiimo: Making Life With ADHD Easier (Sponsored)

15:18 What to Tell Yourself When Rejection Feels Unbearable

17:34 20,000 Tiny Rejections: The Hidden Emotional Cost of ADHD

19:40 What Paris Hilton Wants Her Children to Know About Being Different

21:28 The Everyday Tasks Even Paris Hilton Struggles With

23:08 Paris Hilton’s Powerful Message to Anyone Struggling With ADHD

25:42 What Paris Hilton Would Tell Her Younger Self

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

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

Producer: Timon Woodward

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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can diet, gut health and peptides play a role in autism?

In this episode of ADHD Chatter, I sit down with Oxford scientist Sarah Warley to explore the fascinating relationship between autism, the gut and the brain.

We discuss the surprising differences in the gut microbiome of autistic people, why gastrointestinal problems are so common, the role of mitochondria, and emerging research into peptides that could potentially improve certain symptoms.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:23 Can Changing Your Diet Improve Autistic Traits?

02:50 The Personal Story Behind Sarah's Research

08:07 How Your Gut Could Be Affecting Your Brain

10:43 The Surprising Difference in Autistic People's Gut Bacteria

16:31 Why So Many Autistic People Have Gut Problems

19:49 Could This Peptide Really Reduce 91% of Symptoms?

27:10 Which Autistic Traits Could Actually Improve?

33:39 The Surprising Connection Between Candida and Autism

39:59 The Hidden Link Between Autism, Mitochondria and Energy

44:06 An Emotional Letter to My Younger Self

Visit Sarah’s website 👉 https://www.thekeyclinic.co.uk

Find Sarah on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/thekeyclinic/?hl=en-gb

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

Alex’s book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do so many people with ADHD and autism experience chronic pain, unexplained exhaustion and hypermobility?

In this episode, ADHD and autism expert Nick Potter explores the surprising connections between neurodivergence and physical health, from fibromyalgia and easy bruising to interoception and why ADHD and autism have historically been overlooked in women.

Chapters:

00:47 The Hypermobility Test: Are You Hypermobile Without Knowing?
07:38 Why So Many ADHD and Autistic Women Were Missed
11:39 The Surprising Link Between ADHD, Autism and Chronic Pain
15:37 What Fibromyalgia REALLY Feels Like
24:23 Advert
26:12 Why You're Always Exhausted (Even After Resting)
33:05 Why Do You Bruise So Easily?
36:07 Interoception: Why You Might Not Notice Your Body's Signals
51:04 ADHD and Autism: What If Your Brain Isn't the Problem?
01:02:30 A letter to my younger self

Visit Nick’s website 👉 https://backboneclinic.com/our-team

Visit Nick on instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/backboneclinic/

Discover Neuralis by HealthRestore — a dedicated ADHD Profile designed to help people explore their individual characteristics and strengths through a personalised assessment.

Try it through ADHD Chatter here 👉https://kf7jhxklzbmwcf.kartra.com/analytics/traking_links/G8V6EFgBshdT?tracking_id1=XXX&tracking_id2=XXX&cpc=X.XX

Learn more about Neuralis here:https://www.myadhdprofile.com

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

Alex’s book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen is a British clinical psychologist and world-renowned expert on autism.

In this deeply personal and eye-opening conversation, we explore the hidden struggles of being autistic, from the loneliness of feeling different and the emotional cost of masking to the link between autism, addiction and mental health. We uncover why autistic people can see patterns others miss, the truth about autistic empathy, and what happens when years of masking leave you questioning who you really are.

An essential conversation for anyone who has ever felt different, misunderstood or alone.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer 02:24 What Everyone Gets WRONG About Autism

08:02 The Hidden Psychological Cost of Feeling Different

10:01 Are You Born Autistic? Nature vs Nurture

11:32 Why Autistic People Crave Intellectual Intimacy

14:59 The Loneliness Nobody Talks About

19:07 When Autistic Obsessions Become Superpowers

21:20 The Darkest Side of Feeling Different

23:56 The Shocking Link Between Loneliness and Addiction

28:08 The Hidden Cost of Autistic Masking

33:05 When Masking Makes You Lose Yourself

38:33 Why Autistic Girls Are More Vulnerable to Abuse

42:22 Why Autistic Brains See What Others Miss

49:55 The Biggest Myth About Autistic Empathy

01:17:30 An Emotional Letter to My Younger Self

Buy Simon’s book 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Seekers-Theory-Human-Invention/dp/014198239X Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817

Alex’s 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

I wish I knew about this 14 day meal plan years ago. It changes everything. Dr. Jolene Brighten is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist and leading voice in women’s health and hormones. Dr. Brighten’s Book ADHD & Women: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/ Dr. Brighten’s Website: https://drbrighten.com Dr. Brighten’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten Dr. Brighten’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten Dr. Brighten’s Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten Dr. Brighten’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbrighten/ Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817 Alex’s 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a board-certified naturopathic endocrinologist and leading voice in women’s health and hormones.

In this episode, she joins Alex to explore the often-overlooked connection between ADHD, hormones, the immune system, pregnancy, postpartum changes, PMDD and perimenopause, and why so many women are still being misunderstood by conventional medicine.

Chapters:

00:00 The Heartbreaking Reality of ADHD

02:07 The ADHD Patient Dr Jolene Will Never Forget

05:19 Why ADHD Isn’t Just a Brain Condition

06:51 The Hidden Brain–Hormone–Immune Connection

12:14 Why Estrogen Can Change Everything for ADHD Women

14:04 What Medicine Still Gets Wrong About Female ADHD

16:43 The Shocking Link Between ADHD, PMDD & Endometriosis

29:45 Why Pregnancy Can Make ADHD So Much Harder

32:54 The Postpartum ADHD Experience Nobody Warns You About

37:02 Why ADHD Can Suddenly Get Worse in Perimenopause

43:23 The 14-Day Meal Plan for Better ADHD Energy & Focus

50:21 The Lifestyle Habits That Can Transform Female ADHD

52:37 What ADHD Women Think Is Normal — But Isn’t

53:28 The ADHD Symptom Women Blame Themselves For Most

56:55 A Letter to My Younger Self

Dr. Brighten’s Book ADHD & Women: https://drbrighten.com/adhd-and-women/

Dr. Brighten’s Website: https://drbrighten.com

Dr. Brighten’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten

Dr. Brighten’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrJoleneBrighten

Dr. Brighten’s Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten

Dr. Brighten’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbrighten/

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

Alex’s 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode has been paid for by Focused. It contains an advert for their ADHD assessments.

Almost one year on, Danielle Mulligan, Focused Clinical Lead and ADHD Nurse Practitioner, returns to the podcast to discuss how assessment and support for ADHD is changing.

Get a discount on your ADHD assessment at Focused -- use the code 'CHATTER' at checkout https://uk.focused.clinic/

Chapters:

00:00 The Heartbreaking Reality of ADHD

02:33 Why ADHD Makes You Feel Broken

06:47 The Scary Pattern After 1,000s of ADHD Assessments

10:35 Why Being Misunderstood Turns Into Shame

12:48 Why an ADHD Diagnosis Can Make Things Feel Worse

15:18 The #1 Thing ADHD People Blame Themselves For

17:03 The Hidden Grief After an ADHD Diagnosis

19:31 How ADHD People Learn to Hide It

22:50 Why So Many ADHD Adults Were Missed for Decades

24:57 The Pattern Before an ADHD Breaking Point

25:57 Why Focused Was Created

26:57 What Actually Happens During an ADHD Assessment

28:45 What an ADHD Assessor Is Really Looking For

29:47 How to Make ADHD Assessments Feel Safe

31:06 The Growing NHS vs Private ADHD Assessment Gap

33:30 The Biggest Misconception About ADHD

34:56 A Heartbreaking Letter to My Younger Self

Take the ADHD and Education survey at Focused = Enter their £150 prize draw https://uk.focused.clinic/adhd-education-survey/quiz

Explore Focused: https://uk.focused.clinic/

Focused on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusedclinic

Focused on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focused.clinic/

Focused on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcrewyWYFprbMiObNA1Jgow

Focused on X https://x.com/Focusedclinic

Focused on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusedclinic/

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

Alex’s 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clinical psychologist, therapist and ADHD expert Dr Jacob Ambrose returns to explore what a dysregulated nervous system really looks like, why anxiety and hypervigilance can become your normal, and what happens when you finally begin to feel safe.

We discuss why rest can initially feel uncomfortable, the difference between being perceptive and hypervigilant, why rejection can feel so personal, and a difficult question: if fear has powered you for most of your life, what replaces it when you begin to heal?

Chapters:

01:14 What does ‘healing your nervous system’ actually mean

02:17 What does a dysregulated nervous system actually look like

04:50 Why healing makes you feel worse to start with

06:21 The first rule of healing

08:06 The big emotions that come with healing

12:23 How healing reduces anxiety and makes you less productive

17:42 If your life has been powered by fear, what replaces it

19:31 How can you feel exhausted but not realise

21:10 Restorative solitude vs unhealthy isolation

23:55 Tiimo advert

25:30 The early warning signs of a dysregulated nervous system

29:22 Why reason leaves you when you’re triggered

32:51 When rejection stops feeling so personal

37:23 The difference between being perceptive and hypervigilant

38:51 Are you healing when things that bothered you no longer do

41:42 Healing from narcissistic abuse

47:37 Advice for anyone who’s trying to heal

48:49 A letter to my younger self

Find Dr Jacob on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dr.jacob.ambrose/?hl=en

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

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

Alex’s 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 https://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 spotting autism in high masking autistic women.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:19 How Autism Can Be Hidden — Even From Yourself

03:25 Are You Socialising… or Performing?

05:10 Masking Can Start Earlier Than You Think

07:20 Why Making Friends Can Feel So Hard

09:53 The “Contradictory” Personality Nobody Understands

11:35 What Are Autistic Girls Trying to Hide?

15:25 How Masking Affects Romantic Relationships

20:58 What Happens When You Can’t Mask Anymore

22:25 The Hidden Cost of Masking for Years

24:19 How Much Are You Actually Masking?

27:58 Tiimo advert

29:17 How ADHD Can Hide Autism in Women

34:25 Can You Accidentally Mask During an Autism Assessment?

37:01 The Dangerous Side of People-Pleasing

38:28 The Questions Autism Assessments SHOULD Ask

39:42 What I Wish Every Autistic Woman Knew

41:17 Why Autism Can Look Like OCD

43:07 A Letter to My Younger Self

46:00 Focused survey read

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

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

Focused are running a new survey and a prize draw giveaway, where you can win £150 in Amazon vouchers just for taking part.

It's just 5 simple questions about how ADHD affected you (or affects you now) at college and university.

Take the survey here. 👉 https://uk.focused.clinic/adhd-education-survey/quiz

It's open to anyone living with ADHD aged 18 or over.

(The results from their previous survey about ADHD & health are in too -- results here 👉 https://uk.focused.clinic/myhub/adhd-health-survey-results )

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

Alex’s 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why does something as simple as replying to an email, doing the washing or starting a task feel almost impossible with ADHD?

In this episode, leading ADHD advocate Hester Grainger reveals what’s really happening inside the ADHD brain when we procrastinate, and shares 4 practical, brain-based ways to finally get started.

We also explore dopamine, motivation, shame, and what happens when years of struggling begin to change the way you see yourself.

If you’ve ever called yourself lazy because you knew what you needed to do but still couldn’t do it, this episode is for you.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:57 Why Your ADHD Brain Just Can’t Start

07:06 Dopamine Explained Simply

10:14 The First ADHD Hack That Gets You Moving

13:57 The Second Hack: Make Your Brain Care

17:13 The Brutal Things ADHD Makes You Believe About Yourself

20:18 When ADHD Turns Into Shame

21:43 When Procrastination Becomes Your Identity

24:01 Tiimo advert

25:20 The Third Hack: Why Pressure Actually Works

30:34 The Fourth Hack: The ADHD Motivation Switch

33:38 A Letter to My Younger Self

Visit Hester’s website 👉 https://www.perfectlyautistic.co.uk

Find Hester on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/hestersvibe/

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 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Judith Mohring is an award winning Cambridge-educated psychiatrist and psychotherapist specialising in ADHD, autism and mental health. In this episode, she explores why understanding yourself doesn’t always lead to healing, how overthinking can become a form of emotional avoidance, and what it really takes to reconnect with yourself after years of masking.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

02:13 “I don’t know who I really am”

03:54 Why understanding yourself doesn’t always lead to healing

08:09 Why you can understand your brain and still feel trapped

10:15 When analysing yourself stops you feeling

12:06 Analysing emotions vs processing them

16:34 Why ADHD can make therapy harder

19:26 Why ADHD brains analyse themselves so deeply

23:07 When hyperfocus turns inward

24:32 How masking disconnects you from yourself

28:21 Tiimo advert

29:49 Why years of therapy can leave you feeling the same

31:17 When therapy becomes another intellectual exercise

35:41 Where does healing actually begin?

36:33 Interoception: learning to feel what’s happening inside

38:59 How a therapist helps you feel safe

40:25 How ADHD and autistic people begin to heal

46:01 How to stop analysing and start feeling

47:18 How do you know if you’re healing?

49:09 The Washing Machine of Woes

49:52 Finding yourself after decades of masking

51:02 Do you find your true self — or create it?

53:00 Is overthinking a form of emotional avoidance?

54:05 A letter to my younger self

Visit Judith’s website 👉 https://www.thenaturalpsychiatrist.com

Find Judith on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/adhded.with.drjudith/

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 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with award-winning psychiatrist Dr Asif Bachlani to explore what it really feels like to live with both ADHD and autism.

We uncover 5 hidden signs of masking AuDHD, the contradictions that can make life feel exhausting, the loneliness of feeling different, and the emotional impact of receiving a diagnosis later in life.

Dr Asif also shares the assessment he’ll never forget, and the true cost of spending years hiding who you really are.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:56 Why Dr Asif Bachlani Dedicated His Life to ADHD & Autism

04:22 The Patient Who Changed Everything for Dr Asif

07:02 What Neurodivergent People Can Teach Us About Being Human

08:39 The Sentence Dr Asif Hears After Almost Every Diagnosis

12:58 The Hidden Grief of a Late ADHD or Autism Diagnosis

16:47 The Contradictions of Living With AuDHD

21:04 What People With AuDHD Fear Being Judged For

24:52 Is Masking a Choice — or Does It Happen Automatically?

27:05 The AuDHD Assessment Dr Asif Will Never Forget

36:43 Why AuDHD Can Feel So Incredibly Lonely

41:21 Tiimo advert

43:05 Sign #1 You’re Masking AuDHD

45:40 Sign #2 You’re Masking AuDHD

48:19 Sign #3 You’re Masking AuDHD

50:25 Sign #4 You’re Masking AuDHD

53:29 The True Cost of Never Unmasking

01:02:11 Sign #5 You’re Masking AuDHD

01:02:54 Washing Machine of Woes: Your Questions Answered

01:05:24 A Letter to My Younger Self

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 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Martin Brunet has 25 years experience as a NHS GP. He has a special interest in Autism and ADHD and is the author of the best selling book entitled ‘Make Your Worry Make Sense’.

In this episode, Dr Martin Brunet explores the hidden reality of autistic masking, why it starts, what it feels like, and the long-term impact it can have on identity, relationships and wellbeing. We discuss the subtle signs of masking, why so many autistic people go undiagnosed, and what it can look like to safely rediscover who you are beneath the mask.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:08 What Masking Actually Feels Like

06:32 How Early Does Masking Start?

07:48 What Teaches a Child to Start Masking?

09:26 Can One Cruel Comment Change You for Decades?

11:22 What Are Autistic People Protecting Themselves From?

14:03 Is Masking a Choice — or Completely Automatic?

16:29 The Autistic Mirror

19:54 When Masking Becomes a Survival Mechanism

21:43 The Subtle Signs Someone Is Masking

24:38 Inside the Mind of an Autistic Person Who’s Masking

26:19 The Aeroplane Analogy That Explains Masking

28:57 What Years of Masking Does to a Person

31:08 Tiimo

32:38 The Biggest Cost of Masking: Losing Who You Are

34:39 Why Masking Can Make Autistic People So Lonely

36:18 Why So Many Autistic Women Are Missed

38:58 Can You Look Successful While Falling Apart Privately?

41:21 Code-Switching: What It Is and Why Autistic People Do It

43:39 Why an Autism Diagnosis Can Be So Emotional

46:24 How Do You Find Yourself After Years of Masking?

49:05 Why Unmasking Isn’t Right for Everyone

52:42 How to Start Unmasking Safely

54:30 The “Washing Machine of Woes”

59:16 What I’d Tell My Younger Autistic Self

Visit Dr Brunet’s website 👉 https://www.martinbrunet.com

Find Dr Brunet on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/doc_martin_gp/?hl=en

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 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Luke Beardon is a leading autism researcher, author and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University who has spent more than 30 years working alongside autistic people and their families.

In this episode, Luke reveals what autism can actually feel like from the inside, from masking and rehearsing conversations to sensory overwhelm, burnout and the exhaustion of constantly trying to fit in.

He explores why so many people go decades without realising they’re autistic, what happens when you mask for so long that you lose sight of who you really are, and why the parts of yourself you spent a lifetime hiding may never have needed fixing in the first place.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:23 Why Luke dedicated his life to understanding autism

02:46 How can someone be autistic for decades without knowing?

05:38 What high-masking autism actually looks like

08:06 How early does autistic masking begin?

10:21 The biggest misconception about autism in adults

16:10 The biggest signs you’re masking autism

17:37 Why autistic people rehearse conversations

23:50 Why small talk can be so exhausting

29:59 What sensory overwhelm actually feels like

36:40 Why autistic people stim

40:04 Tiimo advert

41:31 The autistic behaviours people are made to feel ashamed of

43:33 The hidden cost of masking autism

46:39 What autistic burnout actually feels like

49:58 Can you mask for so long that you lose yourself?

51:27 When the mask becomes your personality

57:54 Are you really an introvert, or could you be autistic?

01:00:05 The Washing Machine of Woes

01:03:17 A Letter to My Younger Self

Buy Dr Luke’s books 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Luke-Beardon/s?rh=n%3A266239%2Cp_27%3ALuke%2BBeardon

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 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the things you've criticised yourself for your entire life... weren't flaws at all?

What if struggling to make simple decisions, feeling overwhelmed by change, or caring so deeply about fairness weren't personality quirks, but signs your brain has been working differently all along?

Today I'm joined by Dr Fareeha Amber Sadiq (known as Dr Amber), Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director at Eleos Clinic. She has assessed hundreds of autistic individuals and has helped countless people finally understand why they've always felt different.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:54 Why Every Decision Feels So Overwhelming

06:24 Why Autistic People Need Predictability

09:04 Why Injustice Feels Physically Painful

19:19 When You Can't Start... But Can't Stop Either

23:17 The Secret to Switching Between Tasks

25:43 The Autism Trait Everyone Calls Laziness

27:33 The Shutdown Nobody Sees

32:57 Tiimo Advert

34:17 The Hidden Reason Some People Can Mask for Decades

36:08 Why So Many People Don't Realise They're Autistic

41:14 How Masking Slowly Erases Your Identity

43:13 The Most Emotional Part of an Autism Assessment

45:15 The Moment People Realise They've Been Masking Their Entire Life

50:56 The One Sentence That Makes Psychiatrists Think "Autism"

54:15 The Autism Assessment Reactions I'll Never Forget

57:22 Washing Machine of Woes (Audience Questions)

01:03:02 A Letter to My Younger Self

Download Dr. Sadiq’s free guide, Could This Be Me?, which explains why so many autistic adults were missed for decades, and what clarity could look like for you 👉 https://www.eleosclinic.com/wondering

Find Dr Sadiq on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/eleos_clinic/

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 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you want to know what autistic masking actually feels like from the inside?

Dr Carly Jones MBE is one of the world’s leading autistic advocates. Diagnosed as autistic in adulthood after both of her daughters were diagnosed, she has spent nearly two decades improving the lives of autistic people through policy, education and lived experience.

In this episode, Carly explains what masking actually feels like from the inside, why so many autistic people learn to hide who they are from childhood, and the emotional cost of spending years pretending to be someone else.

Together, we explore people pleasing, self-abandonment, loneliness, burnout, and the difficult journey of discovering who you really are after decades of masking.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:56 The Mask You Didn't Know You Were Wearing

09:31 Is Your Brain Protecting You Without You Knowing?

11:42 The Childhood Moment You Learn It's Safer Not To Be Yourself

14:50 What Rejection Does To The Autistic Brain

18:23 Mask #1

22:25 The Day You Stopped Showing What You Loved

27:01 Mask #2

30:19 When People Pleasing Stops Being Kindness And Becomes Survival

34:25 The Moment You Start Abandoning Yourself

37:29 Tiimo advert

38:48 Mask #3

41:39 What If You're So Good At Reading People... You Forget Who You Are?43:34 Mask #4

46:43 How People Can Think You're Fine While You're Falling Apart

48:28 The Loneliness Nobody Talks About In Autism

51:07 The Warning Signs Your Mask Is About To Break

57:49 How To Start Taking The Mask Off (Without Losing Yourself)

01:01:19 Why Letting Go Of The Mask Feels So Terrifying

01:08:37 How To Know What's Really You... And What's Just Survival

01:11:47 The Lie Neurodivergent People Blame Themselves For

01:16:27 "I Don't Know Who I Am Anymore."

01:18:50 A Letter To My Younger Self

Visit Carly’s website 👉 https://drcarlyjonesmbe.uk

Find Carly on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/drcarlyjonesmbe/

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

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

Buy Alex's No.1 Sunday Times Best-selling 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Burnout doesn't always look like a breakdown. Sometimes it looks like pushing through, feeling numb, forgetting who you are, or wondering why everything suddenly feels so much harder.

I'm joined by Dr Jo Perkins, an eminent Chartered Psychologist who supports senior business professionals and organisations to develop effective strategies to optimise psychological performance. Dr Jo explains how burnout develops, why so many people miss the warning signs, and why it can hit people with ADHD especially hard.Together, we explore the difference between being tired and having a nervous system that can no longer recover, the hidden role of masking, and what real recovery actually looks like.

If you've ever thought, "I'm just exhausted," but suspect it's something more, this conversation could change the way you understand burnout.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

02:10 The Biggest Lie About Burnout

03:51 Burnout Before You Realise It’s Happening

05:17 Does Burnout Hit Suddenly or Build Up?

06:23 Why People Miss the Warning Signs

09:33 How Bad Burnout Can Really Get

16:16 Do We All Have a Breaking Point?

17:20 When Your Body Stops Recovering

19:00 Tired vs Burnt Out (Big Difference)

21:24 When You Stop Feeling Like Yourself

24:38 Why Burnout Makes ADHD Worse

29:43 Tiimo Advert

31:43 Can Masking Cause Burnout?

36:46 When to Seek Professional Help

38:44 The #1 Warning Sign of Burnout

40:26 Can You Fully Recover from Burnout?

41:47 The Biggest Recovery Mistake

43:17 A Letter to My Younger Self

Visit Jo’s website 👉 https://drjoperkins.com

Find Jo on LinkedIn 👉 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dr-jo-perkins-46b943

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 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do so many people with ADHD spend their lives trying to earn their worth? How do you know if you're masking? And why do even the most successful ADHD adults still feel like they're failing?

In this episode, ADHD coach and former British Army soldier Rich Forbes explains the hidden emotional burden of ADHD, how to spot masking, practical strategies for managing rejection sensitivity, and why the right environment can change everything. Before becoming an ADHD coach, Rich served for eight years in the British Army, bringing a unique perspective on resilience, identity, and what it really takes to thrive with ADHD.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

03:33 Why ADHD Makes You Feel You Have to Earn Your Worth

05:00 The Hidden Cost of Constantly Proving Yourself

07:53 The Moment Everything Finally Made Sense

09:10 The Saddest Thing People With ADHD Tell Themselves

10:16 The Grief Nobody Warns You About After ADHD Diagnosis

11:01 Why ADHD Diagnosis Hurts Differently at Every Age

17:00 How to Tell If You've Been Masking Your Entire Life

18:54 Maybe You're Not the Problem, Maybe It's Your Environment

21:04 Is Masking ADHD's Biggest Challenge?

25:06 What Years of Masking Really Costs You

28:22 The Emotional Weight ADHD Adults Carry Every Day

31:37 Tiimo Advert

32:56 How to Calm Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

34:52 A New ADHD Hack That Changes Everything

38:52 Why Success Never Feels Like Enough With ADHD

40:16 The Advice Every ADHD Adult Needs to Hear

42:33 The One Thing ADHD Adults Need to Stop Blaming Themselves For

48:03 Why Successful Women With ADHD Still Feel Like Failures

54:46 The Biggest Myth About ADHD in Women

58:18 A Letter to My Younger Self

Find Rich on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/richforbes_adhdcoach

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 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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Khurram is a world-renowned, award-winning psychiatrist and the author of Explaining AuDHD.

In this episode, he explains what AuDHD (Autism + ADHD) really feels like beyond the diagnostic labels, why so many people spend years masking their traits, and the emotional cost of living without understanding themselves.

We explore the hidden signs of AuDHD, why so many people feel broken, misunderstood, and lonely, how an AuDHD diagnosis can transform relationships and identity, and what it truly takes to stop masking and start thriving.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:43 The AuDHD contradiction nobody talks about

04:14 What people with AuDHD are terrified of being judged for

06:29 The AuDHD assessment Dr Khurram will never forget

07:37 What almost every AuDHD adult blames themselves for

08:32 Why so many people with AuDHD think they're a bad friend

10:01 The hidden danger of never finding your AuDHD tribe

10:34 Why masking AuDHD is so exhausting

13:43 The most heartbreaking part of living with AuDHD

16:22 Why loneliness feels different with AuDHD

19:10 Why partners often misunderstand AuDHD

22:07 Tiimo advert

23:59 5 hidden signs you're masking AuDHD

25:03 How an AuDHD diagnosis changes relationships

30:13 The moment you realise your whole life was masking

34:45 What AuDHD burnout really feels like

36:45 The true cost of never unmasking AuDHD

39:08 Stop fighting your AuDHD brain

40:56 Why so many people with AuDHD believe they're broken

45:07 If you were diagnosed late, you need to hear this

45:42 The hardest part of living with AuDHD

47:10 A letter to my younger self

Dr Khurram on LinkedIn 👉 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dr-khurram-sadiq

Dr Khurram’s book 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Explaining-AuDHD-Guide-Autism-ADHD/dp/1804369489

Dr Khurram on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/fomosapien666/?hl=en

Book to see Dr Khurram in clinic for an ADHD assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/adhd-treatment-options/in-person-adhd-assessment/

For an Autism assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/autism/in-person-autism-assessment/

For a combined ADHD and autism assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/autism/in-person-combined-autism-adhd-assessment/

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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 https://megaphone.fm/adchoices