Petch Psychology

28/04/2026

🌟Did you know I also offer adult ADHD assessments ? Various combinations of over achieving, perfectionism, over compensation, feeling like an outsider and self criticism come up time and time again - particularly when I speak with women. Women who have masked and managed their whole lives by organising their worlds to the nth degree yet still feel like the wheels are about to perpetually fall off and chaos will ensue !

“They think you’re doing fine because you’ve gotten too good at pretending you are.”
There’s a version of ADHD no one talks about enough.
The kind that doesn’t look chaotic on the outside.
The kind that hides behind organization, overachievement, and constant smiles.
The kind that looks “put together” but feels like drowning quietly.
That’s high-masking ADHD.
It’s the version where you spend every ounce of your energy trying to appear “normal.”
Where every interaction feels like a performance.
Where you smile, nod, and over-apologize not because you’re fine, but because you’re afraid of being misunderstood.
It looks like:
Keeping a spotless home so no one can accuse you of being lazy.
Mirroring others’ behavior so you don’t stand out or say the “wrong” thing.
Taking detailed notes because your brain forgets what it swears it will remember.
Appearing calm even when your mind is screaming.
Overcommitting to prove you’re reliable, even when you’re burnt out.
Trying to be perfect to compensate for the parts of your brain you’ve been told are “too much.”
Apologizing for things that aren’t even your fault.
Downplaying your struggles because you don’t want to be a burden.
Feeling like you’re constantly performing instead of just existing.
And maybe the worst part?
People don’t see it.
Because you’ve learned how to hide it too well.
They see the effort not the exhaustion behind it.
They see the notes, the structure, the success — not the mental gymnastics it takes to keep up.
They see the smiles not the sensory overwhelm that hits the moment you’re alone.
You’ve spent years learning how to mask your ADHD so you could fit into a world that was never designed for your brain.
And it worked.
But it also cost you peace.
Because masking doesn’t mean managing.
It means performing survival.
You’ve taught yourself to over-prepare, over-apologize, and overachieve — just to feel “enough.”
You’ve built an image of capability to avoid judgment, and now you’re trapped inside it.
People call you “responsible,” “organized,” “driven” — not realizing you’re running on anxiety and caffeine and the fear of being seen as unreliable.
But here’s the truth:
You shouldn’t have to earn acceptance by hiding who you are.
You shouldn’t have to prove your worth by overcompensating for your wiring.
You shouldn’t have to mask your chaos just to be loved.
Because ADHD masking isn’t just exhausting it’s isolating.
It disconnects you from the people who might actually get it if you let them see the real you.
And here’s the twist masking doesn’t make you stronger. Vulnerability does.
The moment you stop hiding and start speaking openly about your struggles, you give others permission to do the same.
It’s okay to have bad days.
It’s okay to need help.
It’s okay if your house isn’t perfect, your planner is chaos, and your brain doesn’t follow the rules.
You are not your productivity.
You are not your performance.
You are not your mask.
You are a human being doing your best in a world that was never designed with you in mind.
And you deserve to exist as you are unfiltered, unmasked, and unashamed.
Because the moment you stop performing and start being, that’s when you finally find peace.

23/04/2026

This provides a nice visual of various strategies for helping with different types of overwhelm I thought ….

Sick and tired of therapies that don't tailor therapy to your specific needs. Email earth and water therapy who offer therapy for working adults who are diagnosed or suspect they
may have Autism or Adhd or a combination of both. Here's a free summary tool of techniques to help you cope.

Email: earthandwaterpsychotherapy@outlook.com

20/04/2026

Some lovely feedback this morning 🥰😊…

“I would highly recommend Petch Psychology. Vikky was knowledgeable, friendly and nothing was too much trouble. She was brilliant with my son on the day of the assessment and made him feel completely at ease. The report was very thorough and turned around quickly, and we found it incredibly helpful.”

20/03/2026

11/03/2026

🥰🥰 Feeling warm and fuzzy after being recommended so many times recently. It really does mean a lot to know I have such satisfied clients. As both a professional and a parent I feel very invested in getting ADHD / ASC assessments right. To me the journey and experience are as important as the outcome (this really shouldn’t be a tick box exercise) so I love hearing I have done a good job. A big thanks for allowing me to be part of your / your child’s journey and for supporting local business 🥰🥰

09/03/2026

ADHD can show up in a number of guises 🧐. Below are the 3 diagnostic subtypes, however, everyone’s ADHD will look different and individuals will often have developed the most incredible compensatory strategies so these symptoms may not be obvious to the outsider 🎭

ADHD doesn’t look the same in every child. Some children are constantly on the go. Some seem dreamy and distracted. Some experience a mix of both. These differences aren’t personality flaws — they’re different presentations of the same brain-based condition.

Understanding the types of ADHD helps adults respond with the right support instead of the wrong assumptions. The child who seems not to listen may be overwhelmed, not defiant. The child who can’t sit still may be regulating their nervous system, not “misbehaving.”

When we recognise how ADHD shows up, we can meet a child’s needs more accurately, protect their self-esteem, and reduce daily struggles at home and school.

23/02/2026

BBC summary of the SEND reforms announced today….

The government says it will spend £4bn in mainstream schools in England over three years, as the Conservatives question where the money will come from.

23/02/2026

The Government announced it’s plan to reform SEND provision in schools today. This is bound to raise many questions and concerns as there is a lot to digest….

I know today’s SEND white paper announcement is bringing up a lot of thoughts, questions, and strong feelings for many of you.

So I’ve pulled together a clear, simple overview to help you make sense of what’s been shared, without the overwhelm.

This is an emotive topic. It affects children, young people, families, and the professionals supporting them. It’s okay to feel worried, hopeful, frustrated, or unsure.

But as always, a gentle reminder of our community guidelines — this is a space for respectful, supportive discussion. Different perspectives are welcome, but personal attacks, blame, or undesirable/harmful language won’t be.

If you’ve been trying to understand what this means for your child or your setting, this is a good place to start.

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21/02/2026

I have loved watching the Winter Olympics these last few weeks. So many inspiring stories and celebrations. But also so much incredible dedication, disappointment and hard work! The journeys of these athletes that we are privy to and the human element is what makes it all the more compelling viewing. I have particularly enjoyed the skating and found Alysa’s story really uplifting. Burnout must be so prevalent in these sports where the expectations and push for perfection are so high. Love that she is talking so openly about her experience as a neurodivergent woman and really embracing how important it is to work with your brain rather than against it. I think the post below sums it up quite well 💕

19/02/2026

Sensory overload is something I talk about lot about with families as it often goes hand in hand with neurodiversity. As stress increases so does sensory sensitivity resulting in a viscous circle and a sense of overwhelm 🤯. Recognising this in ourselves and our children can really help inform how we respond to it

Sometimes a child isn’t “misbehaving” — they’re overwhelmed.

Sensory overload can look quiet, compliant, or even polite. Many children don’t explode outwardly… they shut down, mask, or try to cope in small hidden ways. That’s easy for adults to miss, especially in busy homes and classrooms.

If you’ve ever thought
“Why are they suddenly clingy?”
“Why are they asking the same question again?”
“Why do they seem tired or distant?”
you’re not alone — and your child isn’t being difficult on purpose.

These signs are the nervous system saying “this is too much.” When we notice early, we can lower demands, offer regulation, and prevent meltdowns later.

If this list sounds familiar, which signs do you see most often? Sharing helps other parents feel less alone.

24/01/2026

A little sneak preview of my talk on ADHD and Teens 🫣

24/01/2026

🌟🎉 See my talk on ADHD and Teens for free via the link below…. This week, I talked with Let’s All Talk Mental Health about ADHD and Teen Pressures, something many parents and carers are supporting their teens with, often while juggling questions, uncertainty and differing needs at home and school.
If this is something you’re currently experiencing, or would like a clearer understanding of how to support your teen, you can watch the session on demand.
Join Let’s All Talk Mental Health for free by subscribing to https://www.letsalltalkmentalhealth.co.uk/subscribe using the code MONTHFREE at checkout for 30 days’ access free, which you can cancel at any time 🌟

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