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 had 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. Receiving my ADHD diagnosis allowed me 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 now Completing and ILM level 7 diploma in executive coaching and mentoring and CPD in emotions coaching.
In my coaching practice, I draw on my coaching certifications alongside my lived experience of ADHD. This blend of professional training and personal understanding helps me support clients in recognising unhelpful patterns, creating space from them, and taking meaningful steps forward in ways that feel both practical and sustainable.
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.
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.
I am a late diagnosed ADHDer with much experience of living with the chaos that undiagnosed, or unsupported, ADHD can bring. Since my diagnosis and the understanding that this has given me I have developed strategies and supports that actually work for me. In doing this I have gained a deep understanding of many of the issues that we face when we try to fit into systems that don’t work for us. I have seen how life changing it can be to finally understand and let go of the negative self talk we often live under and free up space for fulfilment and enjoyment of life.
Any queries, please email me at: wennie@procrastination-station.co.uk