Episode #51
Episode 51: My Daughter is on Ritalin: My Personal Story As Her Mum
In this episode of Playing The Fool , I’m opening up about something very personal: my daughter’s recent diagnosis of inattentive ADHD and how her journey has made me look more closely at my own brain and childhood experiences. Liv was previously diagnosed with severe dyslexia and had also experienced anxiety. After years of tutoring, speech therapy, school support, and different strategies to help her learn and manage her emotions, we finally went through the process of getting her assessed for ADHD. Getting the diagnosis brought relief, but it also brought a whole new wave of fear when medication was suggested. I share what the first few weeks have looked like for us, including the changes I've noticed in Liv’s energy, focus, happiness, and willingness to engage with things that previously felt exhausting for her. I also talk about the conversations I've had with other mothers and the different experiences they have shared with me. For me, this experience has also brought up a much bigger realization: I see so much of myself in Liv. I reflect on my own experience with ADHD traits, masking, motivation, perfectionism, mental health, and the challenges I've experienced throughout motherhood. I talk about how becoming a mother can make masking much harder because there is simply less space to rest, recover, and manage everything in the way you might have before having children. I also share the systems and routines I've developed over the years to work with my brain rather than constantly fighting against it, from my morning routine to the simple things I do the night before to make the next day easier and now what I teach to hundreds and hundreds of other women. Most importantly, I share why I believe we shouldn't be afraid of getting the answers we need. A diagnosis doesn't tell you what you have to do. For me, it gives us more information, more understanding, and ultimately, more choices. Doors are Closing to The Heart is the Bar. This is your last chance to join this final round. This episode shares my personal experience and is not medical advice. Every person and family is different, and decisions around diagnosis and treatment should always be made with qualified healthcare professionals.
