A life with ADHD

Caroline Williams is a medical journalist, who has written for a range of mainstream publications and medical journals, including The Atlantic, the BBC, The Boston Globe, The Guardian, New Scientist and The New York Times.

She is also author of Move!: The New Science of Body Over Mind.

However, David discovered Caroline after reading her article for the New Scientist, What’s behind the recent explosion in ADHD?. Not only was it very well written, but David was able to relate to the story behind the article – where Caroline had been diagnosed as having ADHD in her 40s.

While this led to some lively discussion between David and Caroline, Volker got completely lost as the conversation jumped around so much (which David was certainly unaware of – a great example of the difference between a neurotypical and neurodiverse brain!).

Through her career as a medical writer, writing about focus and concentration, and often finding herself distracted, Caroline realised she might have ADHD herself – receiving an official diagnosis at the tender age of 48.

She was often told at school and by her parents that she was overactive or couldn’t concentrate. Now that we, as a society, started talking more about it, she got more support to look into it.

Caroline went to the New Scientist to write about ADHD. She wanted to investigate whether, as some journalists have claimed, that diagnoses are rocketing due to private diagnosis, where it’s in the organisation’s financial interests. However, Caroline’s research has revealed that we are still under-diagnosing in the UK.

Volker still doesn’t understand ADHD due to lack of experience, but enjoyed David and Caroline having such an animated conversation.

Both Caroline and David just got on with life and what was thrown at them, thinking it was normal that certain things just take a bit longer. Caroline compared it to getting glasses when you suddenly realise that the world you are living in is blurred and that buildings have straight edges. Caroline is now on a test for medication to help her with ADHD.

For both it’s difficult to judge how long a piece of work might take; everyday things like parking and remembering where you parked, can be a challenge. Or supermarket shopping can be challenging too, resulting in increased stress.

They share a lot of tips on how to organise themselves. Whilst Volker is super organised, this adds another level of organisation even for him.

As Caroline points out, don’t beat yourself up for not doing everything 100%. It’s ok that there are things that might not work every time, and that‘s ok. Accepting your brain is different to a neurotypical person.

There is also a quicker route to get an ADHD diagnosis. Go to your GP and ask for a referral under the NHS right to choose.

And if you want to get in touch with Caroline please reach out to her or want to read or buy her books, please visit www.carolinewilliams.net or follow her on Instagram @carolinewilliams_science

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