Professor James Brown on ADHD in Adulthood: Struggles, Stigma, and Strengths

Today we’re exploring a subject that’s so often misunderstood, oversimplified, or brushed aside - ADHD in adulthood, and particularly what it means for women.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why you feel constantly overwhelmed, why you can be so capable in some areas but struggle so deeply in others, or why that inner critic of yours feels louder than anyone else’s voice — this conversation might just be a lightbulb moment.

I’m joined by Professor James Brown, co-author of ADHD Unpacked, co-founder of the charity ADHD Adult UK, and the self-proclaimed least popular host of The ADHD Adults Podcast. James brings a mix of hard evidence, lived experience, and refreshing honesty to the topic of ADHD. He was himself only diagnosed as an adult, and his story of loathing, self-doubt, and eventual self-acceptance is one I think many of us - whether or not we have ADHD - will see parts of ourselves in.

In this episode, James and I unpack the myths, the stigma, and the very real struggles of ADHD - especially how it shows up differently in women, and why so many of us have gone undiagnosed for far too long. This isn’t just about labels or medication - it’s about understanding ourselves with compassion, lifting the shame we carry, and finding ways to live with more ease and self-acceptance.

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Find Professor James Brown:

Book: https://amzn.eu/d/6GqLojX

Instagram: @adhdadult_james

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