At the age of 40, I received a life-changing diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a revelation that shed light on the challenges I had faced throughout my life. Reflecting on my journey, I recognised how undiagnosed ADHD had a profound impact on various aspects of my life. Despite considering myself reasonably intelligent, I struggled to navigate life successfully, frequently missing the milestones I believed I should have achieved, while observing others reaching their goals. This experience resulted in low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and a sense of despair.

The turning point in my journey came through a conversation with a friend who had also received a late ADHD diagnosis. As she described her symptoms, I saw myself in many of her experiences. I was fortunate that the diagnosis process at this point was relatively swift, I was able to reevaluate my self-perception and initiate positive changes in my life. This newfound self-awareness allowed me to free up mental space previously consumed by negative self-talk and provided the opportunity to constructively address how to work with my ADHD and build a life that aligned with my values and aspirations.

Following my diagnosis, I explored various ADHD medications, I recognise and support the significant impact these treatments can have on individuals. However, I didn’t find a medication that worked well for me. Instead, I opted for an approach centered on lifestyle changes to manage my ADHD symptoms. I navigate this journey with curiosity and embrace purposeful imperfectionism to counteract my tendencies towards obsessive perfectionism.

My passion for mental health and supporting individuals in their pursuit of well-being has been a longstanding interest. After my ADHD diagnosis, I felt drawn to the field of ADHD coaching, where the focus lies in uncovering one’s strengths and taking steps to create lasting, sustainable changes that align with one’s values and life goals. This led me to train with the International ADHD coach training centre (IACT) to become a certified ADHD life coach.

I am particularly enthusiastic about working with adults who are newly discovering their ADHD, given my personal experiences with the impact of an undiagnosed condition and the transformation that a diagnosis of ADHD can bring. Some of the common issues that I have observed in this journey include addiction, anxiety, career challenges, depression, disordered eating, a sense of unfulfilled potential, guilt, heightened symptoms during Perimenopause/Menopause, overwhelm, poor self-image, people-pleasing, self-harm, relationship issues and shame, among others.

The demands and complexities of modern life can be overwhelming for anyone, and for adults with ADHD, these challenges can feel insurmountable, taking a significant toll on mental health. Through my personal experiences and professional training, I understand the importance of acknowledging the struggles faced by individuals with ADHD and creating a safe space for self-compassion and growth.

In my coaching practice, I incorporate teachings from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a therapeutic approach that complements ADHD coaching exceptionally well. ACT’s focus on unhooking from unhelpful thoughts and taking meaningful steps forward aligns seamlessly with the unique needs of individuals with ADHD.

My goal is to support individuals in their journey toward self-discovery, empowerment, and fulfilment while living with ADHD, and to support them to overcome the challenges they face. I am dedicated to raising awareness about ADHD and providing guidance for individuals to not only manage their symptoms but thrive in all areas of life.