Attracted to our rebellious and imperfect platform, the incredible artist Charlotte Mellor Meecham generously offered her @wispaworks illustration services for The Too Much Tour Artwork. Charlotte Mellor Meecham has recently been diagnosed with combined type ADHD.  In this Bonus Blether the talented creative jumps aboard the late diagnosis rollercoaster with us. Though she has concerns about medication, she has seen really positive results. Having battled an eating disorder and been diagnosed with the comorbities of anxiety and depression, the route cause was never identified. This sadly led Charlotte to alcohol abuse and a breakdown. Finally armed with answers and a treatment plan in place, Charlotte is beginning a brand new chapter of her life in Portugal, where she is starting as a freelance illustrator. If you want some incredible artwork get in touch with her; we SERIOUSLY can't sing her praises highly enough!Charlotte is an absolute ledge! We loved chatting to her, and are so grateful for her incredible work and for having this insightful blether with us. THANK YOU SO MUCH CHARLOTTE! xxTW: Eating disorder, nervous breakdown, alcohol and drug addiction, medicationSupport the show

The final ADHDAF Activism Extra episode of the month - we hope!  In this quick bonus blether Disability Campaigner Cat Owens summarise the pros and cons of the ADHD & ASD Assessment parliamentary debate and we discuss our next steps. MASSIVE THANK YOU to everyone who submitted the survey to inform the debate🙌Our followers made up 10%+ of those submitted! GO ON LEOPARD PRINT ARMY! 🐆🧡Though a marathon and not a sprint, and with many obstacles in our path; hearing our experiences shared in Parliament proves that we are indeed on the path to systemic change! And in a week that has seen multiple ableist attacks in the media on the ADHD Community, it is encouraging to know that change is coming and together we are powerful‼️More on the coalition we are forming to fight media ableism in our next ADHDAF Activism Extra next month! TW: This episode contains mentions of suicide, mental health struggles, ableism and medical negligence Support the show

Abigail Agyei is SOMETHING ELSE! This award-winning Senior Policy Advisor, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion and Neurodiversity Advocate has late diagnosed ADHD and Dyspraxia.  Alongside being awarded MBE  in 2022, she previously won the 2020 Civil Service Rising Star Award for her dedication to public service & amplifying the voices of ethnic minority people to create inclusive, safe and accountable culture. Give the woman a medal...actually, don't bother THE KING ALREADY DID! :) Abigail is passionate about intersectional identities and raising Neurodiversity Awareness, especially in Black girls/Women who are mis/underdiagnosed due to gaps in addressing Black women’s needs in healthcare and the cultural pressures and expectations of Black women.In the Top 50 Most Influential Neurodivergent Women by Women Beyond the Box, she recently did a Tedx on ADHD in Black Women.  THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing your late ADHD Diagnosis story Abigail, YOU TOTAL LEGEND! We've been interviewed on Untangled and Mindvox Podcasts! Have a listen, and check out Hannah Huxford's new ADHD Book and song! If you've found this podcast helpful & are in a position to do so, please help us continue to help others by joining our Community. Packages include: vlogs, blogs, live blethers, body doubling and all the chats! If you would prefer you can leave us a tip.MASSIVE thank you to our Patreon pledgers! With more supoport we will be able to continue producing ADHD As Females.  In particular a massive thank you to our Gold Tier Patrons: Margarida, Sarah Newell, Ola Czarnecka, Rach Slatts, Callan, Rachael Riley, Derec Thompson,  Leanne S, Laura Fleming, Clare Wilson, Michelle Corcoran, Dee Naylor, Samantha Knowles-Owen, Kim Pierpoint, Sinéad McDermott, Amy Davies, Ceci, Kelsey Fehlberg, Katherine Wilkinson, Bee Wood, Lou Young, Alana Pignatiello, Elle Macpherson, Katharine Kaufman, Lorna Crowe, N.Scott, Suzanne Tanser, Philippa Pickering, Katy Smtih, Jenna King, Jacqueline McGeachie, Lynn McKenna McNally, Seonaid Macdonald, Jennifer Wilson, Roz King, Joanne Eccles, Rachel Stewart, Ali O'Connor, Lauren Mitchell, Claire Turner, Ani Kemsley, Amanda Thomson, Lizee Oliver, Allie Warren, Nicola Mackenzie-Cracknell, Michelle Bellyou, Olivia Dyer, Gurjit Thandi, Elizabeth O'Farrell, Nikol Dicheva, Yvonne Delaney, Ailish Lyall, Jody Ellen, Kerrie Challinor, Charlotte Holtom, Heesoo Lee, Nyki McKenzie, Ruth Lester, Kimi Wright, Rachel Williams, Sahra Zekiri, Lorna Lou, Ruth Berry, Karen McCullough, Chelsie Louise, Megan Lau, Kirsty Cassell, Susy Putnam, Jackie Allen, Helen Mcewan, Nic Hewitt, Sara Braid, Carly Taylor, Jen M, Adella Oconnor, Claire Protherough, Adella Louise, Reece English, Cara Aurora, Brittney Cook, Claire Dowling and Molly Gladman who have helped make this episode happen; raising much needed ADHD awareness and providing validation and information to those who desperately need it. JOIN US!TW: Medication, late diagnosis, relationship struggles, misdiagnosed/undiagnosed ADHD due to race & gender inequality. Support the show

A second ADHDAF Activist extra episode ahead of the Parliamentary debate next Monday - 06.02.23 We understand only too well the feelings of disillusionment and disempowerment after our life long struggles and being failed by the system. But RIGHT NOW WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Yes, The petitions and survey are closed; BUT… all you need to do is tap this link: https://tr.ee/XjsY7Mdgy3then simply download and add your details and email it to your MP. There is even a link in the document to help you find who to contact and how! The INCREDIBLE Cat Owens from our Patreon Communityhas created a template letter to send to your MP, she's done the hard work so we don't have to. THANK YOU SO MUCH CAT!    YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THIS BROKEN SYSTEM IN JUST A FEW MINUTES. LEOPARD PRINT ARMY ASSEMBLE! Trigger warning, strong language, mental health struggles, drugs, sexism, ableism, misdiagnosis, criminality Support the show

Non-binary neurodivergent counsellor Katie Harrison LPC, based in Misouri is a total ledge! Their unique perpective as all of the above enables Katie to identify neurodvergence in clients the world over.  Please note, that identification is not the same as diagnosis! Once identified, Katie helps clients navigate the adult ADHD diagnosis process in their country. Which comes with added difficulties when you are non-cisgendered.It's been said that ADHDers are highly intuitive, Katie argues that the so called ‘intuition’ of people who are Assigned Female At Birth; especially those with late diagnosed ADHD is actually due to hyper-vigilance; a trauma response. Gender is a social construct, and in this insightful episode Katie shares a link between the LGBTQIA+ community and neurodivergence that their work has uncovered.Katie was pushed outside of the classroom, which made them feel unacceptable to society.  This lead to not being defined by social constructs… existing on the parameters of society.   THANK YOU to the AMAZING Katie Harrison LPC for educating us and sharing their late ADHD diagnosis journey! We used our Wake  Up with ADHDAF Morning Body Doubling Session to record the intros and outros of this very special episode. If you've found this podcast helpful & are in a position to do so, please help us continue to help others by joining our Community. Packages include: vlogs, blogs, live blethers, body doubling and all the chats! If you would prefer you can leave us a tip.MASSIVE thank you to our Patreon pledgers! With more supoport we will be able to continue producing ADHD As Females.  In particular a massive thank you to our Gold Tier Patrons: Claire Turner, Sarah Newell, Ola Czarnecka, Rach, Callan Davy, Rachael Riley, Derec Thompson, Anne Barrow, Leanne Smith, Clare Hale, Michelle Corcoran, Dee Naylor, Samantha Knowles-Owen, Kim Pierpoint, Sinéad McDermott, Amy Davies, Cecilia Leslie, Kelsey Fehlberg, Kate Wilkinson, Alana Pinatiello, Eleanor Macpherson, Katharine Kaufman, Lorna Crowe, N. Scott, Suzanne Tanser, Marianne Stevens, Philippa Pickering, Kate Smith, Jenna King, Lou Young, Jacqueline McGeachie, Lynn McKenna, Bee Wood, Jennifer Wilson, Seonaid Macdonald, Manar, Roz King, Helen McCann, Joanne Eccles, Ali O'Connor, Rachel Stewart, Lauren Mitchell, Claire Turner, Katie Enstone, Lauren Bullen, Annmarie Kemsley, Elizabeth O'Farrell, Heesoo Lee, Ruth Lester, Amanda Thomson, Lizzee Oliver, Allie Warren, Nicola Mackenzie- Cracknell, Michelle Bellyou, Olivia Dyer, Gurjit Thandi, Nicol Dicheva, Yvonne Delaney,  Ailish, Kerrie Challinor, Charlotte Holtom, Nyki McKenzie, Kimi Wright, Rachel Williams, Sahra Zekiri, Lorna Kerr, Ruth Berry, Jody Ellen, Karen McCullough, Chelsie Louise,  Megan Lau, Kirsty Cassell, Susy Putnam, Jackie Allen, Sara Braid, Kerry, Nikol Dicheva, Adella O’Connor, Claire Protherough, Margarida, Cara Yatteau Baker,    who have helped make this episode happen; raising much needed ADHD awareness and providing validation and information to those who desperately need it. JOIN US!TW: Strong language, drugs, depression, anxiety, misdiagnosis, medical negligence, self harm, gaslighting, abusive relationships eating disorders, mental health struggles, substance abuse. Support the show

Dawn started ADHD Medication last month!  in this episode we discuss her experience of Titration so far and look back at Laura's, which began ten months prior.  As ever, our experiences are entirely different, and we were both prescribed different medication. We then dive into the topic of ADHD Activism. We unmask our true intentions of ADHDAF. Nine months ago we cautiously dipped our toes in (THANKS RSD!) but we are finally brave enough to tell the full story and what led us to treading carefully. As discussed in the Emergency Bonus Blether; what we are doing here is 'ADHD Activism in action' - Cat Owens, We Are ADHDAF Community member. The legendary Cat has given us the confidence to really push the survey which will inform ADHD & ASD Diagnosis parliamentary debate on 6th Feb.PLEASE TAP HERE TO ANSWER THE SURVEY! The petitions are closed but YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE with the survey, THE DEADLINE IS TOMORROW! Wednesday 25th Jan 10am! Cat has also written a template MP letter which you can download and add your details to, with a link to find out who to send it to and how. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TAP HERE, WE CAN CHANGE THE SYSTEM! We go onto talk about our new ADHDAF Apparrel, and the first date of our TOO MUCH TOUR! How amazing is this illustration for the Tour by @wispaworksIf you've found this podcast helpful & are in a position to do so, please help us continue to help others by joining our Community. Packages include: vlogs, blogs, live blethers, body doubling and all the chats! If you would prefer you can leave us a tip.MASSIVE thank you to our Patreon pledgers! With more supoport we will be able to continue producing ADHD As Females.  In particular a massive thank you to our Gold Tier Patrons: Claire Turner, Sarah Newell, Ola Czarnecka, Rach, Callan Davy, Rachael Riley, Derec Thompson, Anne Barrow, Leanne Smith, Clare Hale, Michelle Corcoran, Dee Naylor, Samantha Knowles-Owen, Kim Pierpoint, Sinéad McDermott, Amy Davies, Cecilia Leslie, Kelsey Fehlberg, Kate Wilkinson, Alana Pinatiello, Eleanor Macpherson, Katharine Kaufman, Lorna Crowe, N. Scott, Suzanne Tanser, Marianne Stevens, Philippa Pickering, Kate Smith, Jenna King, Lou Young, Jacqueline McGeachie, Lynn McKenna, Bee Wood, Jennifer Wilson, Seonaid Macdonald, Manar, Roz King, Helen McCann, Joanne Eccles, Ali O'Connor, Rachel Stewart, Lauren Mitchell, Claire Turner, Katie Enstone, Lauren Bullen, Annmarie Kemsley, Elizabeth O'Farrell, Heesoo Lee, Ruth Lester, Amanda Thomson, Lizzee Oliver, Allie Warren, Nicola Mackenzie- Cracknell, Michelle Bellyou, Olivia Dyer, Gurjit Thandi, Nicol Dicheva, Yvonne Delaney,  Ailish, Kerrie Challinor, Charlotte Holtom, Nyki McKenzie, Kimi Wright, Rachel Williams, Sahra Zekiri, Lorna Kerr, Ruth Berry, Jody Ellen, Karen McCullough, Chelsie Louise,  Megan Lau, Kirsty Cassell, Susy Putnam, Jackie Allen, Sara Braid, Kerry, Nikol Dicheva,  who have helped make this episode happen; raising much needed ADHD awareness and providing validation and information to those who desperately need it. JOIN US!TW: Strong language, drugs, depression, anxiety, jail, Support the show

THIS IS NOT A DRILL! We are all directly affected by the ADHD Diagnosis crisis. We find ourselves at a crucial turning point RIGHT NOW! PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE IMMEDIATELY!We understand only too well the feelings of disillusionment and disempowerment after our life long struggles and being failed by the system. But RIGHT NOW WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Each and every one of us has the power to change the system, BUT YOU MUST ACT NOW! All you have to do is tap this link and answer a few questions: https://tr.ee/048BcvFOl7Please read the questions carefully as some are misleading. Yes, The petitions listed are closed; BUT simply answer the survey/questionnaire and your answers will help inform parliamentary debate taking place 6th Feb which will effect the ADHD diagnosis process! THE DEADLINE IS THIS WEDNESDAY! IT TRULY IS AN EMERGENCY!NEXT...All you need to do is tap this link: https://tr.ee/XjsY7Mdgy3 then download and add your details and email it to your MP. There is even a link in the document to help you find who to contact and how!The INCREDIBLE Cat Owens from our Patreon Community has created a template letter to send to your MP, she's done the hard work so we don't have to. THANK YOU SO MUCH CAT!    YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THIS BROKEN SYSTEM IN JUST A FEW MINUTES! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO IT! N O W! WE NEED CHANGE AND THIS IS OUR MOMENT TO BE HEARD! LEOPARD PRINT ARMY ASSEMBLE! Please share this episode and this post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cntwfb3qB7z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link WE HAVE ONLY GOT UNTIL WEDNESDAY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN! Support the show

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! xxIf you've found this podcast helpful & are in a position to do so, please help us continue to help others by joining our Community. Packages include: vlogs, blogs, live blethers, body doubling and all the chats! If you would prefer you can leave us a tip.MASSIVE thank you to our Patreon pledgers! With more supoport we will be able to continue producing ADHD As Females.  In particular a massive thank you to our Gold Tier Patrons: Claire Turner, Sarah Newell, Ola Czarnecka, Rach, Callan Davy, Rachael Riley, Derec Thompson, Anne Barrow, Leanne Smith, Clare Hale, Michelle Corcoran, Dee Naylor, Samantha Knowles-Owen, Kim Pierpoint, Sinéad McDermott, Amy Davies, Cecilia Leslie, Kelsey Fehlberg, Kate Wilkinson, Alana Pinatiello, Eleanor Macpherson, Katharine Kaufman, Lorna Crowe, N. Scott, Suzanne Tanser, Marianne Stevens, Philippa Pickering, Kate Smith, Jenna King, Lou Young, Jacqueline McGeachie, Lynn McKenna, Bee Wood, Jennifer Wilson, Seonaid Macdonald, Manar, Roz King, Helen McCann, Joanne Eccles,  Ali O'Connor, Rachel Stewart, Lauren Mitchell, Claire Turner, Katie Enstone, Lauren Bullen, Annmarie Kemsley, Elizabeth O'Farrell, Heesoo Lee, Ruth Lester, Amanda Thomson, Lizzee Oliver, Allie Warren, Nicola Mackenzie- Cracknell, Michelle Bellyou, Olivia Dyer, Gurjit Thandi, Nicol Dicheva, Yvonne Delaney,  Ailish, Kerrie Challinor, Charlotte Holtom, Nyki McKenzie, Kimi Wright, Rachel Williams, Sahra Zekiri, Lorna Kerr, Ruth Berry, Jody Ellen, Karen McCullough, Chelsie Louise,  Megan Lau, Kirsty Cassell, who have helped make this episode happen; raising much needed ADHD awareness and providing validation and information to those who desperately need it. JOIN US!TW: This Episode contains mentions of bereavement, grief, depression, anxiety, criminality, DUI and violence (in jest) and contains strong languagePhoto credit: Phil Provencio (we think)Support the show

In this episode we explore where Laura is up to on the late ADHD diagnosis roller coaster and reflect on a monumental year since her diagnosis; that saw the start of a brand new chapter of her life.At dawn, the day after being diagnosed with ADHD, Laura realised that her lifelong problems were not her fault. It suddenly dawned on her that she no longer needed to hate and chastise herself. This was the dawn of a new era; which saw her start this podcast... with Dawn :) But what was the motivation behind becoming an ADHD activist? Sadly, a tragic chain of events which have impacted how Laura views the world and her place in it.  Whilst navigating the grief cycle of late ADHD diagnosis, she has also been dealing with bereavement and devastating news.  She questions if perhaps some of the emotional dysregulation and RSD are just sadness due to bereavement. Grief hits different for neurodivergents; and for someone finally aware of their serious time blindness; is it any wonder that she constantly hears the clock ticking?  BUT it isn't all gloom and doom! Armed with the answers to her struggles and having responded very well to ADHD medication; Laura has had an INCREDIBLE year! She has overcome the anger that she feared would never shift and is hopeful that ADHD coaching and therapy will improve her life further...meaning that she might actually be able to rest at some point! :)If you are suffering with grief, you are not alone. You can reach out to the likes of: The Good Grief Trust, Macmillan Bereaved Family & Friends Forum & Sue Ryder Bereavement Support If you've found this podcast helpful & are in a position to do so, please help us continue to help others by joining our Community. Packages include: vlogs, blogs, live blethers, body doubling and all the chats! If you would prefer you can leave us a tip.MASSIVE thank you to our Patreon pledgers! With more supoport we will be able to continue producing ADHD As Females.  In particular a massive thank you to our Gold Tier Patrons: Sarah Newell, Ola Czarnecka, Rach, Callan Davy, Rachael Riley, Derec Thompson, Anne Barrow, Leanne Smith, Clare Hale, Liesel McDonald, Michelle Corcoran, Dee Naylor, Samantha Knowles-Owen, Kim Pierpoint, Sinéad McDermott, Amy Davies, Cecilia Leslie, Angela Curtis, Kelsey Fehlberg, Kate Wilkinson, Rochelle Fyander, Alana Pinatiello, Eleanor Macpherson, Katharine Kaufman, Lorna Crowe, N. Scott, Suzanne Tanser, Marianne Stevens, Philippa Pickering, Kate Smith, Jenna King, Jacqueline McGeachie, Lynn McKenna, Bee Wood, Jennifer Wilson, Seonaid Macdonald, Manar, Roz King, Helen McCann, Joanne Eccles, Eleanor Campen, Ali O'Connor, Rachel Stewart, Meet Lauren Mitchell, Claire Turner, Katie Enstone, Lauren Bullen, Annmarie Kemsley, Cclaire, Amanda Thomson, Lizzee Oliver, Allie Warren, Nicola Mackenzie- Cracknell, Michelle Bellyou, Katharina Rodda,Eleni Manesiotis,  Olivia Dyer, Gurjit Thandi, Nicol Dicheva, Yvonne Delaney, & Ailish, Katharina Rodda, Kerrie Challinor, Charlotte Holtom, Nyki McKenzie, Kimi Wright and Rachel Williams, who have helped make this episode happen; raising much needed ADHD awareness and providing validation and information to those who desperately need it. JOIN US!TW: This Episode contains mentions of bereavement, grief, cancer, depression, anxiety, suicide and contains strong languageSupport the show

Happy New Year! New year, new you? Us neither! ;)We are so excited to share this incredible blether with a legendary lady for our first episode of 2023! If you haven’t already heard of Single Parent Pessimist Blogger, Claire or listened to her incredible Mind Vox Podcast, you need to remedy that… but not until you’ve listened to her story here first of course! :)Claire was diagnosed (albeit rather vaguely?!) in 2022, she also identifies strongly with autism. Having blogged for a decade about her experiences as a single parent, the pandemic inspired Claire to create Mind Vox Podcast to raise mental health awareness. Claire’s ADHD, paired with her experiences have led to injustice sensitivity coursing through her veins. A self proclaimed chronic pain warrior, we are in absolute awe of this warrior woman! Don’t let the name fool you, this pessimist blew us away with her positive reflections on ADHD! As informative as it is inspirational, we are sure you’ll love this blether! THANK YOU SO MUCH CLAIRE! If you've found this podcast helpful & are in a position to do so, please help us continue to help others by joining our Community. Packages include: vlogs, blogs, live blethers, body doubling and all the chats! If you would prefer you can leave us a tip.MASSIVE thank you to our Patreon pledgers! With more supoport we will be able to continue producing ADHD As Females.  In particular a massive thank you to our Gold Tier Patrons: Sarah Newell, Ola Czarnecka, Rach, Callan Davy, Rachael Riley, Derec Thompson, Anne Barrow, Leanne Smith, Clare Hale, Liesel McDonald, Michelle Corcoran, Dee Naylor, Samantha Knowles-Owen, Kim Pierpoint, Sinéad McDermott, Amy Davies, Cecilia Leslie, Angela Curtis, Kelsey Fehlberg, Kate Wilkinson, Rochelle Fyander, Alana Pinatiello, Eleanor Macpherson, Katharine Kaufman, Lorna Crowe, N. Scott, Suzanne Tanser, Marianne Stevens, Philippa Pickering, Kate Smith, Jenna King, Jacqueline McGeachie, Lynn McKenna, Bee Wood, Jennifer Wilson, Seonaid Macdonald, Manar, Roz King, Helen McCann, Joanne Eccles, Eleanor Campen, Ali O'Connor, Rachel Stewart, Meet Lauren Mitchell, Claire Turner, Katie Enstone, Lauren Bullen, Annmarie Kemsley, Cclaire, Amanda Thomson, Lizzee Oliver, Allie Warren, Nicola Mackenzie- Cracknell, Michelle Bellyou, Katharina Rodda,Eleni Manesiotis,  Olivia Dyer, Gurjit Thandi, Nicol Dicheva, Yvonne Delaney, & Ailish, who have helped make this episode happen; raising much needed ADHD awareness and providing validation and information to those who desperately need it. JOIN US!Trigger warning: Depression, Suicidal thoughts, mental health strugglesSupport the show