Heal Your Confidence

???????????: ?????????????????????????? ???? ??????????????????????????? ???A recent?London Evening Standard?article claimed that ADHD is becoming?"a scam"?and an?"excuse for poor behaviour."?It raises questions about overdiagnosis and the growing use of medication — in 2020, 25 in every thousand people were getting an ADHD prescription, and now it’s over 44. ????"Hands up anyone who doesn’t have ADHD! Or, am I the only person here who doesn’t have ADHD?"?— Melanie McDonagh ???To some extent, I understand where the writer is coming from. I’ve sometimes had my own doubts about how we approach assessments and medication. But after nearly 20 years of working with neurodivergent adults, I’m certain that attentional differences are very real. ???First of all, I have suffered and profited from attentional differences all my life and only found out about it in later life – to my detriment. Some people are born with brains that process attention differently. ???For some, medication clears the way to a more manageable life. Others could thrive with better support instead of medication, but years of struggle (like a difficult job, divorce, or menopause) push them to a breaking point. ???Then there are those whose attentional differences are an advantage in creative or leadership roles — until they hit a challenging situation and need extra support. ???And some have attentional traits mixed with other forms of neurodivergence or traits that aren't diagnosable but still affect their daily lives in certain situations. As Professor Nicola Martin from London South Bank University says, if someone self-identifies as needing support, that should be enough. ???What do you think? ???I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NCW?#ADHD #Neurodiversity #Attention #MentalHealth #SupportNotStigma #ADHDAwareness #ADHDCommunity #NeurodivergentVoices?#ADHDNaming1 #HealYourConfidenceCIC #Neurodivergence #Autism #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia

???????? ??: ???????????????? ???????????? This final post related to our event on Neurodivergence and Self-Medication highlights the need for systemic changes, an important topic for Neurodiversity Inclusion week. The systems around us often fail neurodivergent individuals. Here are a couple of excerpts from the event that highlight both the challenges and???????????????????????????: ??????????, who has personal insight into the prison system, observed that?‘many of the inmates had undiagnosed learning disabilities, such as dyslexia’?and emphasised how?‘proper intervention and support could have prevented many of them from ending up in prison.’ ???????????????stressed?‘the need for more spaces where neurodivergent individuals can speak freely and for better access to mental healthcare, especially for teenagers.’ ???????????????????referenced research from a large US university showing?‘how certain children, despite being at high risk of incarceration later in life due to their behaviours, managed to build a successful life because they had a teacher at some point who provided support and care.’ What systemic changes do you think would make the biggest difference for neurodivergent people? #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NCW #SystemicChange #NeurodiversityAdvocacy #InclusiveSupport #SelfMedication8 #HealYourConfidenceCIC #Neurodivergence #Autism #ADHD #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia

???????? ??: ?????????????????? ?????????????????????????? ?????? ????????-???????????????????? This week is Neurodiversity Inclusion week. Today’s post relates to our recent event on neurodivergence and self-medication, participants shared their experiences of transformative support. A common theme was that finding the right support can be life changing. Here are some highlights from the discussion: ????????????, herself neurodivergent, described how in her coaching sessions she?‘doesn't follow one therapeutic model but tailors her approach to each person’?and?‘integrates self-compassion and strength-based therapy.’ ?????????shared how his process of?‘exploring different therapeutic approaches for his own self-medication helped his awareness while training as a counsellor.’ ???????????????emphasised how?‘proper support for his dyslexia made a significant difference in his life.’ ?????????????????found great value in?‘humanistic therapy that acknowledged her as an expert in her own experience.’ What therapeutic approaches have worked best for your neurodivergent mind? #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek #NCW #EffectiveTherapy #NeurodivergentSupport #SelfCompassion #SelfMedication7 #HealYourConfidenceCIC #Neurodivergence #Autism #ADHD #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia?

???????????? ???? ?????????????????? During our recent event on neurodivergence and self-medication, participants agreed that their understanding of self-medication improved considerably after diagnosis. However, they found that the path to diagnosis is filled with barriers. Here are two excerpts from attendees' shared experiences. ?????????????????highlighted this reality when she shared that she ‘had to self-fund her private autism diagnosis to receive the support she needed to continue with her degree.’ ???????????????discussed how 'her neurodivergence wasn't recognised until later in life and how this lack of awareness affected her well-being.' ???????????observed the professional challenges as an assessor, noting 'the stigma around autism in some professional circles' and how autism is often 'misinterpreted through a deficit-based lens.' How has your experience of seeking a diagnosis shaped your journey and approach to self-medication? #DiagnosisBarriers #LateDiagnosis #NeurodiversityAcceptance #SelfMedication6 #HealYourConfidenceCIC #Neurodivergence #Autism #ADHD #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia

?????????? ???????? ???? ????????-??????????????????: ????????-???????????????????? & ?????????????? ???? ?????????????????????? Today’s post shares participants’ insights into how their neurodivergence has positively influenced their approach to self-medication. Those lightbulb moments of self-discovery can change everything. ???????????had her epiphany in an unexpected place: 'After asking a cynical question at a post-diagnostic support session for parents of autistic children, I realised that I too was autistic and ADHD.'????????????shared a similar experience: 'When attending training on learning difficulties, I realised I was autistic and had ADHD.' For?????????????????, insight came through therapy when 'EMDR therapy helped her realise she might have ADHD, leading to a diagnosis.' ???????????shared how, for him, these glimpses of understanding happen unexpectedly in moments of stillness. When did you first recognise yourself as neurodivergent? When do you have insights that ease your need for self-medication? #DiagnosisStory #NeurodivergentAwakening #SelfDiscovery #SelfMedication5 #HealYourConfidenceCIC #Neurodivergence #Autism #ADHD #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia

?????????? ???????? ???? ????????-??????????????????: ????????-???????????????????? & ???????????? ???? ???????????? ???? ?????????? ???????? This week’s posts continue to develop the themes participants highlighted during our recent event on neurodivergence and self-medication. Participants shared how living with acute and accumulated trauma can affect every aspect of the neurodivergent experience. For neurodivergent individuals, the impact of trauma can be shaped by both acute and accumulated experiences: Acute trauma?– A single, intense event (e.g., bullying incident, medical emergency) can overwhelm the nervous system and heighten sensory or emotional sensitivity. Accumulated trauma?– Repeated exposure to stressful experiences (e.g., ongoing social rejection, masking, or misunderstanding) can create a lasting sense of threat and emotional dysregulation. Neurodivergent individuals are often more vulnerable to accumulated trauma due to challenges with social interaction, sensory processing, and emotional regulation. Acute trauma can also have a more intense effect if accumulated trauma has already shaped their coping patterns. ???????????shared her 'ongoing struggles with disorganisation after a traumatic experience at work,' showing how trauma can exacerbate executive functioning challenges. ???????????????????described her 'all-or-nothing approach to balancing health, alcohol, and social media' and how family dynamics, 'particularly her father's alcohol issues’, impacted her upbringing. ?????????????related 'self-soothing behaviours like skin-picking’ to stimming and emotional regulation. These connections between trauma responses and neurodivergent traits are so important to recognise. What connections have you noticed in your own life? #TraumaAndNeurodivergence #ExecutiveFunctioning #HealingJourney#SelfMedication4 #HealYourConfidenceCIC #Neurodivergence #Autism #ADHD #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia

?????????? ???????? ???? ????????-??????????????????: ????????-???????????????????? & ???????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ???? ???????????? Trauma and neurodivergence often intertwine in complex ways.?Philipp?explained that “when we're outside our window of tolerance, trauma memories may surface in the form of physical sensations or intense emotions like anxiety or shame.” For?????????????????, EMDR therapy was transformative, helping her “recognise deep-seated anger and trauma” while also leading to her ADHD diagnosis. ???????????reflected that “healing can sometimes occur in moments of clarity” and emphasised “the power of breathing as a tool for self-awareness.” How has understanding your trauma helped you better understand your neurodivergence? #TraumaAwareness #NeurodivergentHealing #EMDRTherapy #SelfMedication3 #HealYourConfidenceCIC #Neurodivergence #Autism #ADHD #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia? #EmployeeAppreciationDay2025 #IWD2025?

?????????? ???????? ???? ????????-??????????????????: ????????-???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? Every recovery path is unique and valid.??????????????????initially found AA “challenging due to the male-dominated environment but ultimately benefited from the support and great guidance received.” ???????????described his 'aha moment' after taking an AA test and realising he had developed an unhealthy pattern with alcohol; this enabled him to reflect and stop drinking. For some, like???????????, healing included “using MDMA and other therapies to aid his personal journey” in a responsible way. ?????????????reminds us that sometimes harm reduction means acknowledging that “while she would typically encourage abstinence from substances, in certain cases, it's about finding a balance that allows them to manage their lives.” ???????? ?????? ???????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ????????? ?#RecoveryJourney #NeurodiversityAndAddiction #HealingPath #SelfMedication2 #HealYourConfidenceCIC #Neurodivergence #Autism #ADHD #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia #EmployeeAppreciationDay2025 #IWD2025?

?????????? ???????? ???? ????????-??????????????????: ?????? ?????????????? ???? ????????-???????????????????? The March posts are on the theme of Self-awareness.?This weeks’ posts share insights from our recent open Zoom event on Neurodivergence and Self-Medication. They highlight the important connections between neurodivergence, addiction, and recovery while sharing valuable insights directly from those with lived experience. Understanding why we self-medicate can be illuminating.????????????described it so clearly: Self-medication is a way to slow down an overactive mind, comparing it to clearing a crowded car park.” ?????????????????observed that “addiction is a common but often unspoken struggle within the neurodivergent community,” highlighting how these coping mechanisms often develop before diagnosis. Many of us use substances to create that pause before reacting impulsively or engage in avoidance behaviours that help us cope with overwhelming tasks. What coping mechanisms have you developed to manage your neurodivergent traits? #SelfMedication #NeurodivergentCoping #ADHDLife #SelfMedication1 #HealYourConfidenceCIC #Neurodivergence #Autism #ADHD #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia

???????????????? ???? ????????: ????????-?????????????? ???? ???????????????? ????????-????????? ???????? ??: ???????? ???????????? ?????????????? ?? ?????????? Many neurodivergent individuals use self-medication as a way to function in a world that often misunderstands them. But when does a coping strategy turn into a compulsion? And how can we break the cycle when the thing that once helped us starts to hurt? In our Zoom discussion this evening, we’ll explore: ???The role of neurodivergent traits in self-medication ???How trauma influences coping mechanisms ???Alternative ways to manage discomfort and emotional overwhelm This is a space for open conversation, whether you’re neurodivergent or simply want to learn. ?????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???? ??.???????? ???? ????????.? ???????? ????????:??https://lnkd.in/dKfsyWJu??Meeting ID: 815 5798 0622 Passcode: 409789 #CopingStrategies #SelfMedication #NeurodivergentSupport?#HealYourConfidenceCIC #FebLove12 #Neurodivergence #Autism #ADHD #Dyslexia #Dyspraxia