What is RSD? Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, or RSD, is an intense emotional reaction to real or perceived criticism, rejection, or failure. For people with ADHD, it can feel overwhelming, often causing sudden shame, anger, or withdrawal, even in minor situations. It’s not a flaw or weakness – it’s a neurological response linked to ADHD, and understanding it is the first step to managing it more effectively. Below are some ways you can help manage your RSD: 1. Pause before rea

Christmas is a wonderful time of year - I love it - but if you have ADHD, it can also feel overwhelming. The lights, the noise, the last-minute shopping, the constant rushing from one thing to the next – it can all build up and make even the simplest tasks feel impossible. If you’re looking for ways to make the festive season more manageable, here are some tips to try: 1. Plan in advance but keep it realistic It can be tempting to create the perfect Christmas schedule or list

You may have seen the announcement today on the BBC that the government is planning a review of mental health and neurodivergence diagnoses, including ADHD and autism. Some may wonder if this review could make it harder for people to access the support they need after years of struggling without recognition. As some of you may remember, Wes Streeting's previous suggestions that ADHD is over diagnosed did not go down well with some clinicians, professionals who work with neuro

My wife and I spent the weekend in London while my parents looked after our children - between our busy careers and family life we rarely get time for ourselves, so a weekend away was just what the Doctor ordered. We visited Covent Garden and apparently there are around 300,000 lights strung through the piazza and surrounding streets this year- part of their display called “The Theatre of Christmas”. There was a huge 55 foot Christmas tree which was lit up with thousands of l

Yesterday was one of those days that seemed determined to go wrong from the moment it began. I had an Access to Work meeting that didn’t go to plan at all, the sort of meeting where you go in hopeful and come out wondering what on earth just happened. The children were full of energy and noise, and every attempt to restore a bit of calm vanished within seconds. On top of that, my parents-in-law needed taking back to the airport between client sessions, which is always a sad l

"See a child differently, see a different child" I recently came across a post that included the quote “See a child differently; see a different child.”  I saved it immediately because it summed up so much of what I learned during more than ten years as a teacher. It is one of the most accurate and meaningful lines I have ever read about working with children who think and learn in different ways, particularly those with ADHD and other forms of neurodiversity. My experience t

This weekend I went to the Christmas market in Ely with my family and my wife’s family, who are visiting from Spain at the moment, and it turned into one of those days where you only plan to have a quick wander but somehow end up completely swept up in the atmosphere and you're out for hours! Ely cathedral looked even more stunning than usual with all the Christmas lights shining against the stone (if you have never visited, I highly recommend it.) The cathedral had that love

Self-Esteem can be a real challenge for people with ADHD - self-esteem is something we all care about. Feeling capable, valued, and accepted shapes how we approach life, but for people with ADHD, self-esteem can be a complicated and often fragile thing. Many of my clients struggle with it, and it can affect relationships, work, and personal goals. Research consistently finds that people with ADHD tend to have lower self-esteem than their peers; this applies to children, adole

A 2024 UK survey of 1,440 adults with ADHD shows that 4 in 10 are experiencing severe difficulties across every area of life. More than 7 in 10 feel primary-care professionals don’t properly understand ADHD, and around 3 in 4 say they’ve faced negative reactions when disclosing their diagnosis. Workplace and educational support are often lacking, and many are bearing the cost of private assessments and treatments. On the positive side, medication and lifestyle tools are helpi

What Recent BBC Reporting Means for Those Left Waiting A recent BBC investigation has brought national attention to something many families and adults have been experiencing for far too long. ADHD services in several parts of England have reached a point where they can no longer cope with the growing demand. Some areas have stopped accepting new NHS referrals altogether, while others have introduced tighter criteria because their waiting lists are already unmanageable. The re

I am delighted to share some exciting news! After plenty of planning, building, and a few evenings spent working by torchlight, my new coaching cabin is finally ready. The lighting is finished, and the space is almost complete inside, with just a few final touches to go. This new cabin gives me a dedicated, peaceful environment in which to meet my clients in person here in Ely. It’s a calm and comfortable space designed to help you feel relaxed, focused, and ready to get the

… except, they don’t! This is something those of us with ADHD hear quite often, and I do understand where it comes from - with so much conversation around ADHD in the media and online, it can sometimes feel as though everyone is being diagnosed. The truth, however, is very different. Recent research (links at the bottom) shows that around 5 percent of children are diagnosed with ADHD, and in adults, that figure is between 3 and 4 percent. That is a small proportion of the pop

When I was in London last week, I came across a zebra crossing painted in rainbow colours. Standing there made me think about what true inclusivity really means. Inclusion  and inclusivity  are words we hear a lot nowadays, but their meaning runs much deeper than they’re often given credit for. When we talk about inclusion, it’s easy to think of it only in terms of visible differences or identities. But neurodiversity is an equally important part of that picture. Whether it’s

I had my photo taken with an Ariel Atom recently - if you haven’t seen one before, it’s the kind of car that looks like someone forgot to finish building it. There’s no roof, no doors and hardly any bodywork at all; it is just a frame, an engine and a driver holding on for dear life. Despite that, it’s one of the fastest cars ever made. The lack of weight means it can go from 0 to 60 in about 2.8 seconds, faster than most supercars - it is raw, loud and completely focused on

We all know that having ADHD comes with many challenges, but I am all about positivity, so I like to try and focus my attention on the parts of ADHD that make life a bit more interesting, and - dare I say it - brilliant. Here are some of the things I personally like most about having ADHD: • Passion and enthusiasm. When something really captures my interest, I throw myself into it completely. • Resilience. Living with ADHD means I’ve had to find a hundred different ways to ma

I have been reading the article below from the University of Bath and found it very interesting; the idea of 'playing to your strengths'...

Don't you just love the British weather? It is so unpredictable, always likes to keeping you guessing as to what will come next. Yesterday I was sweating as I walked my daughter home from nursery as it suddenly turned very warm despite the cloud. Today could not be more different though! At least today the weather forecast was accurate - non stop rain from dawn to dusk! I'm not a fan of the rain, but at least it good for the garden (also gets me out of having to mow the lawn

On Tuesday evening, I had the privilege of delivering one of my ADHD information talks at the historic Madingley Hall in Cambridge for the South Cambridgeshire Rotary Club. The venue provided a beautiful backdrop for what turned out to be a well-attended and engaging event. I was delighted to see such a diverse audience, spanning different ages and backgrounds, which highlights just how many people are eager to learn more about ADHD, whether for themselves, their families, or

This is the face of someone who went somewhere and then immediately forgot why! Well that is ADHD for you - you head out with a purpose,...

I’ve been spending some time reflecting recently - with ADHD, reflection does not always come easily. My brain often races onto the next...