21/03/2025
ADHD + Me
Last year I received my official diagnosis and while I’m a big believer that no one is defined by a diagnosis, it has been invaluable to me in terms of learning about, having compassion for and understanding myself!
Over the years I’ve been dealing with what I was told was anxiety, depression, nervousness and possibly being too sensitive. Not to mention the internal struggles of striving to fit in, the overwhelming need to be perfect and constantly trying to figure out why I always felt so different! Panic attacks, sleep issues and digestive problem ensued and all the while I kept feeling as though there must be something inherently wrong with me for my all my “big emotions” and my inability to manage them and “keep it all together”.
When I look back now I can see that how I behaved, how I learned, how my brain functioned, the stress it all caused me internally, left me with a deep sense of feeling inadequate.
As time went on and my career moved me into training, I began creating what I hoped would be an inclusive and welcoming way for therapists to learn, not just from me but from each other! A different way of learning that was led by those being trained, giving everyone a sense of autonomy and empowerment in an environment that for many of us felt isolating in the past.
I certainly do not have it all figured out and I’m learning that that’s not a realistic goal to set, but I am however on a mission to continue creating spaces for therapists to learn in a way that feels good for them and for me, sincerely and with integrity.
Getting my diagnosis has allowed me to see that the things I felt were failings or shortcomings in myself were actually just indicators that my brain is wired differently! It’s given me a renewed view of myself. As I grow and learn more about myself and ADHD, my hope is that this knowledge will continue to inform how I move through life, both personally and professionally!
I’m sharing some gorgeous imagery and words that I resonated with from the brilliant and thank you 🙏🏻
