ADHD Chatter

Ellie Middleton is an activist, speaker and writer committed to breaking taboos and empowering neurodivergent people to thrive in and out of the workplace. Ellie's story is tragically relatable, but also full of hope, insight and wisdom. 00:00 Trailer03:04 Shall we start by explaining in brief your diagnoses and where they came throughout your life?07:52 What were the various iterations of masking throughout your childhood?10:51 What are the hidden costs of masking16:06 When was the last time you felt truly 100% unmasked and this made you feel uncomfortable to feel like you're being yourself?23:59 When was the last time you felt truly 100% unmasked and this made you feel incredibly liberated and accepted?27:12 From your experience, what toll does the feeling of being misunderstood take on a person at the time it's happening, and in hindsight what toll do you think it can play on a person when they reach adulthood?31:14 We’ve had a few guests on with AuDHD and one of the most illustrative of analogies is "it's like 2 siblings dragging each other across the room by their hair". How would you describe these two sectors of the brain colliding on a day-to-day basis?35:46 Last time you were on you described a sort of 6 month pendulum swing of depression that would then swing to optimism and ambition. You haven't been on here for around a year, so I was just wondering if this has cropped up again in your life and how?39:48 ADHD item42:24 The washing machine of woes 48:19 Does having ADHD and Autism make you more tolerant of other people who exhibit what might be frustrating symptoms of ADHD and Autism in your personal or professional life?51:04 You’ve built a fantastic community online lending support to neurodivergents, from those who have reached out, do you see any common themes in the turmoils of those who are feeling lost?53:23 Have you made any steps over the last year to manage your R.S.D and has it cropped up in your life since you were last on?58:23 For someone who has said they take things literally and can maybe be more blunt than people are used to, this must cause confusions in conversations and friendships, how does your RSD deal with these confusions?01:04:07 Why are boundaries important to a person?01:11:16 At the beginning of your Ted Talk, you listed contradictions of social dynamics that you had trouble balancing. Could you mention a couple of them now?01:13:18 You then go on to say other neurotypical people just seemed to have a metaphorical rulebook which helped them understand these things that you couldn't get to grips with, did this lead to resentment of being different? Having to work so hard to understand something others know intrinsically?01:17:01 A letter from the previous guest Buy Ellie's book 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-You-Goodbye-Should-Would/dp/0241710375Follow Ellie on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/elliemidds/?hl=enThis episode has been produced for entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to be taken as medical advice or advice in any way.

TJ Power is an esteemed neuroscientist & international speaker. Today, he shares 3 proven ways to hack your dopamine.

Alex chats to Rich & Rox (ADHD Love) about Rich's autism suspicions, arguments and RSD.

Alex chats with leading psychologist, Dr Mark Rackley.Expect to learn the signs you're dating a narcissist, the similarities between ADHD and narcissism, and so much more.Topics:00:00 Trailer02:28 A broad question and not yet ADHD specific, but, what is a narcissist and is there a difference between a narcissist and someone with NPD?06:48 Why do you think narcissism is such a big topic in the world at the moment?08:27 Is genuine Narcissism or NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder for audience members) common and if so, why do you think that is?10:10 What does a narcissist need to "survive" and what is it they’re looking for in life (and what are they looking for from people around them)?14:20 How does a narcissist prey on someone and what sort of people are they looking to exploit?16:30 Is covert narcissism different to the more mainstream narcissism we hear about and why is it particularly dangerous?18:21 Are narcissists afraid of being alone and what - in general terms - do you think a narcissist thinks of when they are left alone?20:00 What might the general timeline be for someone dating a narcissist and that dating turning into a serious relationship i.e how might narcissism show itself gradually in a romantic relationship?22:04 What tricks does a narcissist use to keep you on their hook if they see you as part of their "narcissistic supply”?24:05 ADHD Item27:06 Washing machine of woes33:09 Do narcissists know they’re narcissists?34:24 At what point would a narcissist begin to become self-aware that they might indeed have a problem?36:39 I need to voice some worries of my own! I’m on camera, I think I share some of the traits we've been talking about. I don't like being alone. I need praise to rid me of my RSD….do you think I’m a narcissist? How can I tell?!39:48 How can I be sure that my traits are just ADHD and not narcissism?43:09 Are there any other similarities someone with ADHD might have that are typical of a Narcissist, but might not be narcissism?45:07 If someone has an ADHD partner and they are trying to figure out if it's ADHD, or if there is something more sinister at play, what steps can they take to help try to figure it out?47:51 Is there a known cause for narcissism and if not, what do you think might be a factor that perpetuates it?49:18 How to spot a narcissist53:21 Can you ever change a narcissist and is it worth trying?54:05 Can narcissists be successful professionally?57:33 Successful narcissists aside, with the lower rungs of narcissism and perhaps the majority of the narcissistic population that aren't particularly high-functioning CEOs, what can that look like? Or to put it another way, what does the "everyday narcissist" look like?59:40 Is social media causing narcissism, or is it just the perfect tool for someone who already is a narcissist?Follow Dr Mark on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/drmarkrackley/Listen to Dr Mark's podcast 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/2pQcITHSlR5qNUagV0jEgXThis episode has been produced for entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to be taken as medical advice or advice in any way.

Shappi Khorsandi explores late ADHD diagnosis and shares many lessons she’s learnt. This episode is painfully relatable, but also full of hope, humour and insight.Shappi is a comedian, author, speaker and advocate for human rights.00:00 Trailer 02:48 When was your earliest memory of feeling different?10:30 You were diagnosed at 47? Why did it take so long for you to receive a diagnosis?14:28 What clicked into place when you heard the words "You have ADHD"?26:44 You have a great analogy about Tarzan and ADHD, can you explain this for our audience?33:05 Being diagnosed with ADHD and being a comedian - the creative comedy mind of which is constantly flipping from thought to thought (and I'm sure the two go hand in hand) - but how did this fluid nature of the way the brain works serve in holding down jobs & relationships?47:52 Moving around a lot when you were younger, changing country, feeling "foreign", facing racism, having ADHD, being shy, that's a lot to deal with for someone who is likely to be emotionally sensitive? What do you think the most testing part of your life has been as far as RSD is concerned?53:21 What did/do your parents think about ADHD and everything that it entails?57:30 The ‘ADHD item’ segment 01:03:26 Washing machine of woes 01:09:01 A very personal question and one you don't have to answer of course, but what is the process of a relationship coming to an end and then the subsequent divorce like for the chaotic mind of someone with ADHD?01:14:33 Do you think that everything you've been through - including your late diagnosis - has helped you build your career?01:17:41 Where would you be in life without your sense of humour and what purpose does your sense of humour serve in softening the blow of everything we've spoken about already!01:19:35 A wedding day story 01:23:14 Being very much an outsider through Neurodivergent means and, back when you came to the UK, feeling like an outsider through race too, do you have an explanation in a nutshell that might best describe how ostracised a person would feel, and did feel, in that scenario?01:27:04 Most impulsive thing 01:31:37 Closing questions & signing the ‘thinks outside the box’ canvas Buy Shappi's book 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scatter-Brain-finally-rollercoaster-became/dp/1785044206/Visit Shappi's website for tour tickets 👉 https://shappi.co.ukThis episode has been produced for entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to be taken as medical advice or advice in any way.

Alex chats with Neurodiversity Consultant, Matt Gupwell, to discuss Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

Adele specialises in supporting women to balance their hormones naturally. As a woman diagnosed at 41 with ADHD, Adele has a specialist interest in supporting girls & women with how their hormones affect their (un)diagnosed ADHD traits.00:00 Trailer01:41 Can you explain to us men what the hormones and chemicals at play are in a woman, with a focus on the ones that most prominently affect their mood?02:50 What is the "hormone hierarchy"?04:08 In our pre-chat, you said you had nicknames for the hormones, like "The Beyonce of the hormone world", what does this mean and what other nicknames do you have?05:30 Are there fundamental differences in the Sexes, their mood and what might these be?07:24 Firstly, for the uninitiated, what exactly is menopause? And is menopause particularly challenging for someone with ADHD?08:58 Do you think there are fundamental differences then in the way each sex exhibits symptoms of ADHD?10:15 What do you think can be done about this gender bias?11:06 The female hormone cycle and the impact it must have on their mood must be confusing at the best of times, what do you think are the most common confusions that a chemical explanation might help in their understanding of oneself?13:32 What does an ‘ADHD friendly’ lifestyle look like?15:16 What is the "Hormone MOT"?16:05 How does progesterone impact a person's nervous system and what effects can this have on a person's mental and physical wellbeing?17:53 Can people go on living their day-to-day not even realising they may be in a hormone deficiency?19:08 ADHD Item20:09 Washing Machine of Woes23:21 How can women naturally balance their hormones as opposed to taking medication to do so?25:13 Why do you think we love supplements so much and what are your thoughts on medication or supplements?26:08 For a man who is struggling to understand their partner's hormone cycle, what's the best bit of advice you can give them?29:43 Could you briefly explain the changing hormones of a young woman and onwards into post-menopause and how this might have an impact on an ADHD person psychologically?31:27 What is your own personal ADHD diagnosis story and how did a diagnosis help you understand yourself?34:58 Do you think being self aware of all of this science behind our moods is ultimately a good thing or is ignorance, to some extent, bliss?38:54 How to explain menstruation to a child in an age appropriate way?Visit Adele's website 👉 https://harmoniseyou.co.ukFInd ADHD Chatter on social mediaInstagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/adhd_chatter_podcast/?hl=enTikTok 👉 https://www.tiktok.com/@adhd_chatter_podcast?lang=enLinkedin 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-partridge-9b589480/This episode has been produced for entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to be taken as medical advice or advice in any way.This episode has been produced for entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to be taken as medical advice or advice in any way.

Alex chats with ADHD Nutrition Coach, Amber Macintosh.Amber reveals the 3 foods that ACTUALLY help with focus, brain fog and motivation. You probably already have some of these in your fridge!