ADHDAF Episode 38: ADHD, Humour and Personal Relationships with Merrill Davis
After last week's tear jerker, be prepared to cry again, but this time with laughter! LA based Comedian/Actor Merril Davis, originally from Miami, is one of the funniest people we have had the absolute pleasure to interview!
Like us, Merrill basically has a neon flashing ADHDAF sign on her forehead, and is as perplexed as we are as to how they all went unnoticed. Alongside the words that haunt our dreams such as 'could try harder', or 'you're too much'; we discovered Merrill through another one of 'those phrases'... Merril 'means well'.
This was the title of her incredible standup show at The Edinburgh Fringe last year, in which she shared her experiences of undiagnosed ADHD in 19 shows to rave reviews. She connected with many late diagnosed ADHDers who felt validated by her humour and unapologetic unmasking.
Merrill was labelled 'slow' in convent school, but unstructured college life was when her struggles really surfaced. Back to back job sackings, twice by her own father! Her ADHD symptoms even led to a one night stay in jail.
She discovered a therapist who immediately pointed out the obvious in 2016 and was diagnosed with Combined Type ADHD.
Merrill is happy to finally have 'the magic potion' to help her manage life better. At times she even feels positive about having ADHD; but then come low moments when she feels heartbroken by the time and friendships lost to ADHD tax.
This interview is the perfect episode for Blue Monday week; Merrill made our faces hurt with laughter whilst helping heal our wounds with validation! THANK YOU SO MUCH MERRILL, YOU ABSOLUTE LEGEND!
ENJOY! xx
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TW: This Episode contains mentions of bereavement, grief, depression, anxiety, criminality, DUI and violence (in jest) and contains strong language
Photo credit: Phil Provencio (we think)