Show Notes
For years, I thought I was just busy. Running a podcast, a charity, doing my doctorate, working full-time, raising a child - that's just life, right? But when I was diagnosed with combined ADHD (moderate to severe) in my 40s, everything finally made sense.
In this deeply personal episode, I'm stepping away from our usual dyslexia focus to share my own ADHD diagnosis journey - the signs I missed for decades, the internal chaos I thought was normal, and why getting help changed everything.
What I cover:
- Why I never thought I could have ADHD (despite working with it for years) - The signs I dismissed: constant internal dialogue, unfinished tasks, extreme fatigue, childhood anxiety - How medication helped me in ways I never expected - Why the "everyone's a bit ADHD" narrative is harmful - Addressing the over-diagnosis myth - and why women in their 40s+ are finally getting diagnosed - Why men are likely underdiagnosed (and what we can do about it) - The link between ADHD and dyslexia (they highly correlate)
Key takeaway: If these traits are impacting your quality of life consistently - not just occasionally - that's when it might be ADHD. Everyone forgets things sometimes, but if it's life-altering where you can't function, that's different.
Resources mentioned:
ADHD Australia: https://adhdaustralia.org.au/ (trusted partner with excellent resources and conference content)
Contact Rethink Dyslexia for support with ADHD diagnosis: rethinkdyslexia.com.au
Shae's book: Dyslexia: Insights into the hidden disability in and out of the workplace https://rethinkdyslexia.com.au/dyslexia-insights-into-the-hidden-disability-in-and-out-of-the-workplace/
About Dr. Shae: Shae is a Doctor of Public Health, Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist, founder of Rethink Dyslexia, and host of the Dear Dyslexic Podcast. She was diagnosed with combined ADHD (inattentive and hyperactive, moderate to severe) in her 40s.
Timestamps: 00:00 "I never thought I could have ADHD" 01:09 Why I'm sharing this now 03:25 When the narrative around ADHD became harmful 04:12 My journey: from focus on dyslexia to recognizing ADHD 06:00 The signs I dismissed for years 08:00 The "unfinished tasks" pattern 10:00 Childhood anxiety and sleep struggles 11:00 Getting assessed: the diagnosis process 11:10 How medication changed everything 13:00 "Everyone's a bit ADHD" - why this narrative is wrong 14:00 What medication actually did for me 17:17 The over-diagnosis myth (and the UK data) 19:00 Why women seek help more than men 21:03 Encouraging everyone to seek support 23:04 What diagnosis gave me: understanding, language, calm
If you're struggling with constant mental fatigue, internal chaos, or feeling like life is harder for you than everyone else - you're not alone. Reach out. Get assessed. There is support.
More from Dear Dyslexic Podcast
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In Part 3, Dr Shae and Associate Professor Carolyn Gerwitz bring together hormones, dyslexia and ADHD, while exploring practical wellbeing, connection and the need for better research. For organisations and leaders, this conversation is a reminder that neurodivergent experiences can shift across life stages. Awareness helps create workplaces where people feel able to ask for support without judgement.
In Part 2 of this conversation, Dr Shae Wissell and Associate Professor Caroline Gurvich explore one of the most common questions women ask during perimenopause: Is this ADHD, perimenopause, or both? Together, they discuss the impact of hormonal changes on the brain, including brain fog, memory, attention, and executive functioning. The episode examines why many neurodivergent women report increased challenges during perimenopause and highlights the complexities of diagnosis and support during this life stage.
** Content Warning:** This episode includes discussion of suicide, mental health, and emotional wellbeing.
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