"For 40 Years I Beat Myself Up": Davinia Taylor on Late ADHD Diagnosis and Sobriety

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For 40 years, Davinia Taylor thought she was just disorganised. Then she filled in her son's ADHD checklist and saw herself on every line. In this second conversation with Dr Shauna Watts, Davinia opens up about what happens when ADHD, perimenopause and midlife collide. She explains why so many women are only diagnosed as their hormones shift and their old coping strategies stop working, why hyperfocus is part of ADHD rather than proof against it, and how a late diagnosis replaced decades of shame with relief.

Davinia also shares her story with alcohol: how it started, how IVF and a hormonal crash after her first son's birth brought everything to a head, the care she never received, and what nearly 20 years of sobriety looks like today, even on a trip to Ibiza.

Content note: this episode discusses alcohol addiction and postnatal depression, and includes some strong language.

In this episode: What "neuro spicy" means, and why perimenopause can make masking impossible

The Soho nail bomb, and why some ADHD brains go calm in a crisis

Recognising herself in her son's ADHD checklist, and the relief of an adult diagnosis

Why ADHD medication didn't suit Davinia, while it works for her son

Hyperfocus: why concentrating for hours doesn't rule out ADHD

When hyperfocus tips into overspending

How drinking started, and why for Davinia it was about energy, not trauma

IVF, the postpartum crash and the hormone testing that never happened

Alcoholism as a disease, not a lack of willpower

Why some women's drinking climbs in perimenopause

Staying sober in Ibiza, the HALT check-in, and what withdrawal really feels like

Swapping alcohol for carbohydrates, and what helps her now

DNA testing and getting to know your own blueprint

What a diagnosis label can give you

Support If this episode brought something up for you, your GP is a great place to start. National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline: 1800 250 015 (24/7) Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7) www.lifeline.org.au PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia): 1300 726 306 www.panda.org.au

Follow Davinia Taylor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daviniataylor/ Will Powders: https://www.willpowders.com/

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Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.

00:00 Intro 02:27 What "neuro spicy" means 04:50 ADHD and staying calm in chaos 09:24 Trying ADHD medication 10:02 When perimenopause meets ADHD 11:52 Not built to be a stay-at-home mum 14:11 Hyperfocus and why it doesn't rule out ADHD 19:26 Davinia's story with alcohol 26:39 Why midlife women's drinking is rising 33:34 What alcohol withdrawal really feels like 36:04 What moved the needle: knowing your blueprint 40:04 What a diagnosis label can give you 42:43 Dr Shauna's three takeaways

Menopause Midlife Perimenopause Dr Shauna Watts Dr Shauna GP Womens health advocate Davinia Taylor ADHD in women Adult ADHD diagnosis Perimenopause and ADHD Hyperfocus Neurodivergent women Alcohol and menopause Sobriety Postnatal depression IVF and hormones ChaptersKeywords