Today I’m joined by H Harris who coaches neurodivergent people to own the sh*t out of who they are! I came across them on social media when they shared a post that talked about double masking as a black neurodivergent person.

We had an amazing conversation covering a lot of topics that I think will be helpful for so many people.

In this episode we talk about:

• H’s late identified journey with ADHD and Autism (and why they prefer the term identify instead of diagnosis even with a professional diagnosis)
• How they always knew something was different and ‘waiting’ for that change to feel normal.
• H’s late diagnosis of dyslexia at age 16 and how the language around it at the time shaped how they felt about their diagnosis
• What the meaning of a personal ‘threshold’ is when meeting the demands of your environment.
• How they didn’t know anyone with ADHD at the time.
• The narrative around ADHD being both debilitating and a strength and how those two things can co-exist.
• How H realised that doing things the ‘neurotypical’ way didn’t work for them
• The visualisation they use to get rid of their demons.
• The different ways to deal with thoughts around Autism if you feel you identify with Autistic traits.
• How to confidently go into the referral process.
• What double masking is and how that can show up, specifically how they double masked their blackness to fit into white societal norms.
• The mental health difficulties that come from masking.

You can follow H on Tik Tik and Instagram and direct message them about coaching if you’d like to know more. We will be back with part 2 in the new year so keep an eye out!

As many of you know, I'm a Digital Marketer in my day-to-day life. If you're an online business owner then come and check out my membership designed specifically for busy brained entrepreneurs like you!

Check it out here: www.sammilburndigitalmarketing.com/10

I hope you’re enjoying these episodes. We’ve got some great episodes planned in for the end of this season so subscribe to listen out for more. Every time you listen or hit subscribe it pushes the pod up the charts and I truly appreciate it!

You can also find me over here:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coulditbeadhd_thepodcast

and www.instagram.com/sam.milburn.digital.marketing

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coulditbeadhd

Website: www.sammilburndigitalmarketing.com

Sarah Cawood is a TV presenter who regularly appeared on shows like Live and Kicking, Top of the Pops and MTV back in the 90s and 00s – if you’re a 40-something like me you’ll remember those days well! Sarah has had the most incredible and challenging few years surviving breast cancer and navigating menopause. She identifies with ADHD traits and has found a way to navigate menopause and life without HRT that works for her and her family.

It was a pleasure to have Sarah on and take on board her infectious energy and outlook on life.

In this episode we talk about:

• How Sarah’s ADHD traits started to manifest
• Challenges that come with ADHD and freelancing
• How Sarah found HRT and why she can’t take it anymore
• The key supplements that Sarah takes instead
• Why we need to change how we think about anti-depressants
• The types of exercise Sarah swears by that has helped her through menopause
• The ways in which Sarah has designed her work life to fit around family
• Vaginal atrophy and dryness and having those conversations with our partners
• Being open with our kids about puberty and sex
• How Sarah simplified things in her life to avoid burnout

You can find Sarah over on Instagram here and check out her affiliate links for both Simon Ourian (the skincare range I use – and no I don’t get anything from this I just love it!) and Scentsy here.

As many of you know, I'm a Digital Marketer in my day-to-day life. If you're an online business owner then come and check out my membership designed specifically for busy brained entrepreneurs like you!

Check it out here: www.sammilburndigitalmarketing.com/10

I hope you’re enjoying these episodes. We’ve got some great episodes planned in for the end of this season so subscribe to listen out for more. Every time you listen or hit subscribe it pushes the pod up the charts and I truly appreciate it!

You can also find me over here:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coulditbeadhd_thepodcast

and www.instagram.com/sam.milburn.digital.marketing

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coulditbeadhd

Website: www.sammilburndigitalmarketing.com

In this episode I talk about the correlation between neurodivergency and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

I ran a webinar recently with BDD specialist Dr Lauren Peile for the BDD foundation (the only charity dedicated to supporting people with BDD) and found out that 80% of the children in the BDD specialist unit in London were neurodivergent.

I have cared for an adolescent for a number of years with BDD and helped them through extensive therapy. I also have another close family member with BDD. And we are a neurodivergent family. So although there still needs to be more research on this there is a clear correlation of some kind.

This made me even more aware of how this information needs to be common knowledge in the neurodivergent community.

But neurodivergent or not, It’s always good to be aware of what BDD is, the signs of BDD and how to best support a young person with BDD. The effects can be devastating – but the good news is that recovery is possible.

As a neurodivergent yourself it’s likely you have neurodivergent children. You probably already know how OCD, anxiety, depression and eating disorders might present themselves, but what about BDD? And with estimates that up to 2% of the population suffer with BDD, often suffering an average of 10 years before seeking treatment, it’s clear it’s also highly prevalent.

In this episode I share:

• What BDD looks like (and what it’s not)
• How to talk to your child about BDD if you suspect they may be showing signs
• The treatment options for BDD
• How to navigate recovery from BDD and what it looks like
• Where to get help and advice for BDD (lots of links are below with further resources)
• The best things you can do as a parent or carer to support a child (or even friend) with BDD

Whether you’re ADHD, Autistic, or have any other neurodivergence, being aware of the signs of BDD is really important so that you can intervene early.

For screening tests and further support head to the BDD Foundation's website: https://bddfoundation.org/

To listen to the webinar with me and Dr Peile on YouTube for Parents and Carers of children with BDD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1XTtm1eTRc

To join my private Facebook support group for parents and carers of children with BDD: https://www.facebook.com/

As many of you know, I'm a Digital Marketer in my day-to-day life. If you're an online business owner then come and check out my membership designed specifically for busy brained entrepreneurs like you!

Check it out here: www.sammilburndigitalmarketing.com/10

Instagram: www.instagram.com/coulditbeadhd_thepodcast

and www.instagram.com/sam.milburn.digital.marketing

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coulditbeadhd

Website: www.sammilburndigitalmarketing.com