The Therapy Company

30/03/2026

Criticism doesn't always land as “just feedback”.

For some people with ADHD, even a small comment, change in tone, or what can be perceived as disapproval, can trigger a much bigger emotional reaction than other people expect.

That reaction is often linked to rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) - a term many people use to describe the intense emotional pain that can come with feeling criticised, rejected, or as though they have let someone down.

It can show up as:

Embarrassment
Panic
Overthinking
Anger
Shame
Loneliness

And it's not always logical in the moment.

You may know someone was only giving feedback, but your body and mind can still react as if something much bigger has happened.

That's one reason criticism can feel so overwhelming for some people with ADHD.

What tends to show up first for you - overthinking, shame, anger, panic, or something else?

27/03/2026

IF THIS SOUNDS FAMILIAR...

THEN YOU ARE NOT ALONE

A lot of adults have spent years feeling different, overthinking, needing routine, or feeling overwhelmed by things others seem to handle more easily.

Sometimes there is a reason for that.

Could signs of autism have been missed in childhood? Learn common traits in adults, why they are often overlooked, and when to seek an assessment.

25/03/2026

AUTISM IN ADULTS LOOKS DIFFERENT

It's not always obvious, it's not always picked up in childhood and it doesn't look the same for everyone.

For some people, it can look like masking, overthinking, needing routine, or feeling overwhelmed by things other people seem to handle easily.

If this feels familiar, you are not alone.

https://thetherapycompany.co.uk/signs-of-autism-in-adults-missed-in-childhood/

23/03/2026

You learned to copy everyone else to fit in.

For some people, that’s how they got through school, work, or everyday life.

From the outside, it can look like coping but inside, it can feel exhausting.

If this feels familiar, you’re not the only one. 💚

20/03/2026

Have you ever been told that you’re overreacting?

Or that you're:

Too sensitive?
Too emotional?
Too much?

Those reactions often come from somewhere.

It could be stress.
It could be overwhelm.
It could be past experiences that taught your mind and body to stay alert.

So what looks like “too much” on the outside might actually be you trying to cope with more than other people realise.

Not every reaction is irrational and not every response is an overreaction.

Sometimes it’s simply a signal that something deeper needs understanding.

If this resonates with you, support is available.

The Therapy Company offers counselling, EMDR therapy and mental health support with appointments available in Preston and online.

18/03/2026

Some PTSD signs do not look dramatic - they look familiar.

Not everyone with PTSD experiences it in ways other people would immediately recognise.

Sometimes it can look like:

⚠️ Avoiding reminders of what happened
👀 Always scanning for danger
💭 Blaming yourself
😶 Feeling detached from other people
🧠 Intrusive memories that keep coming back
😴 Poor sleep or vivid dreams

These experiences can be easy to miss or dismiss, especially when someone is still trying to function day to day.

Support is available.

16/03/2026

If your body reacts before your brain does…

It can be hard to explain.

Sometimes trauma doesn't look dramatic, sometimes it looks like:

⚡ Feeling constantly on edge
🪫 Struggling to relax
😴 Poor sleep
😣 Irritability
🔒 Shutting down
🫥 Feeling numb or disconnected
💥 Your chest tightening before your thoughts catch up

For some people, the body reacts first.

Not because they are weak or because they are overreacting. But because the nervous system may still be responding as if something is not safe.

Trauma can affect the mind, body and relationships in quieter ways than people expect.

We’ve written a new blog about this: Why trauma doesn’t always look dramatic.

If this is something you’ve been trying to make sense of, you can read more on our website or contact us to learn about support options including counselling and EMDR therapy.

13/03/2026

Have you ever wondered if this explains your life?

Many adults live for years feeling distracted, overwhelmed or mentally exhausted without fully understanding why.

ADHD can affect attention, organisation, time management and emotional regulation. For some people, these patterns have been present since childhood but only become clearer later in life.

You might recognise experiences like:

• Being easily distracted
• Difficulty finishing tasks
• Racing thoughts
• Struggling with time management
• Feeling restless or mentally drained
• Missing small details
• Putting things off even when they matter

These experiences can feel frustrating and confusing, but understanding what may be behind them can be an important first step.

At The Therapy Company, adult ADHD assessments are carried out by experienced clinicians using a structured and evidence-based approach. A GP referral is required before starting the assessment pathway.

📍 Based in Preston, Lancashire
🌐 Supporting adults across the UK

If you recognise yourself in some of these experiences, learning more about ADHD assessments may help you understand your next steps.

11/03/2026

The reality of ADHD and adults in the UK

Recent reporting has highlighted just how stretched ADHD services have become across England.

• Around 549,000 people are currently waiting for an ADHD assessment.
• In some areas, waiting lists have been closed entirely due to demand.
• Some services are now restricting adult assessments to people under 25 simply to manage capacity.

For many adults, ADHD has gone unrecognised for years. Difficulties with focus, organisation, impulsivity or emotional regulation can affect work, relationships and daily life - often without people fully understanding why.

An ADHD assessment is not a quick checklist. It is a structured process carried out by a qualified specialist, looking at long-term patterns of attention and behaviour, including experiences from childhood through to adult life.

At The Therapy Company, adult ADHD assessments are carried out by experienced clinicians using a structured and evidence-based approach. A GP referral is required before starting the adult ADHD assessment pathway.

If you have been wondering whether ADHD may explain some of the challenges you’ve experienced for years, learning more about the assessment process can be an important first step.

📍 Based in Preston, Lancashire
🌐 Supporting adults across the UK

09/03/2026

You’re not lazy. You’re overwhelmed.

If you have ADHD, it can feel like everything is landing at once.

💭 Too many thoughts.
🤯 Too many tasks.
🤔 Too many decisions.

What looks like putting things off can sometimes be overload.

That doesn't mean you’re lazy.
It may mean you need support, understanding and the right strategies.

If this feels familiar, you are not alone.

Which part feels hardest when everything piles up - getting started, staying focused, or finishing tasks?

06/03/2026

When someone says “I’m fine”, it doesn’t always mean everything is fine.

For many people, emotional struggles don’t always look like obvious sadness.

Sometimes it can feel more like:

Feeling overwhelmed
Feeling numb rather than sad
Struggling to explain what’s going on
Feeling lost or unsure
Pretending everything is okay on the outside

Because these experiences don’t always match what people expect mental health difficulties to look like, they can often go unnoticed for quite a while.

Understanding these signs can be an important step in recognising when someone might need support.

At The Therapy Company in Preston, we support adults and families across the UK with psychological therapy, ADHD assessments, autism assessments and private psychiatry.

We're here when you're ready 💚