At 59, discovering my ADHD was electrifying and a hugely illuminating discovery – now I understood the reason for a lifetime of chaos, massive over-sensitivity, double-bookings, forgotten promises, frantic worry, low self-esteem and burnt cakes.
Though GP-referred for diagnosis (onto an endless waiting list, like others), the two most significant steps I took were to enrol for an online Adult ADHD course with Procrastination Station, and later gaining coaching with them through Access to Work. Thanks to this, though medication isn’t available to me, I found new ways to cope better with everyday life and ease my stress considerably by building routines and rituals, which I’d always resisted before.
These, along with the in-person meet-ups with others of my ‘tribe’, supported me profoundly during a period of stress and turmoil at work, and ultimately helped me resolve to begin a new career in supporting others with this condition.
Because of my background in community work, life coaching, adult learning/training and mental well-being, early this year I was invited to become a Co-Director of Procrastination Station, a huge honour. I now run our monthly online Peer Support Group for ‘graduates’ of our courses, sharing strategies and insights from our research, supporting each other over the inevitable setbacks. Next, I’m studying to qualify as a specialist ADHD coach, to become as useful as possible to PS and to our “tribe”
I trained with Results Life Coaching some 20 years ago and used those coaching skills within staff supervision and volunteer training throughout my community and voluntary sector roles. Now I’m focusing on ADHD. With my ‘guinea pig’ clients, I already see the patterns I recognise – of overwhelm, poor self-image, frustration with ourselves, huge hurt at perceived rejection or criticism. But together, we can achieve wonders.
Reflecting on groups I’ve worked with in the community, I’m very interested in how older women like me cope with their late-life ADHD discovery; how neurodivergent students such as my son navigate the complex demands of college; how older ADHDer jobseekers and returners-to-work find their way into a transformed workspace; how carers carve out ways to nurture their own well-being, despite having had to prioritise major family demands beyond their control; how struggling single parents with ADHD survive the demands of the benefits system and keep their heads above water.
I’d also like to learn more about the impact of cultural context and varying global attitudes towards neurodivergence, to work more effectively with those from other cultural backgrounds, such as those I used to teach English to and whose learning styles I have come to understand better with neurodivergence and trauma awareness.
I want to enhance my understanding of how ADHD clients can gain best value from peer support within group coaching. The need for this is becoming more urgent, given the shortage of specialist diagnostic professionals and relevant prescription drugs – coaching is not a substitute for these, but can definitely help us come to terms with our condition, linking us to networks of people who can positively influence our lives, empathise and understand their challenges when setbacks occur.
My creative urge is fed by cartooning (The Adventures of Chaotic Carol) and blogging, drawing on my decades of klutzy catastrophes. It’s surprisingly therapeutic.
My primary aim is to make this work more widely available to people who have until now been unable to access the support they need, to bring them into a sense of community and fresh potential for their lives. Your ideas are welcome!
Carol
Any queries, please email me at: carol@procrastination-station.co.uk