Podcast
WTF is AuDHD?
Hosted by Ellie & Paige Harwood · EN
Ellie (33) and Paige (31) are sisters who were diagnosed late with autism and ADHD (AuDHD). However, the way it manifests in them doesn't look the same. With AuDHD only becoming an official diagnosis in 2013, the lack of research not only resulted in late diagnosis and mental health issues, but also left Ellie and Paige feeling alone and confused. This podcast is a space where Ellie and Paige share their experiences, in the hopes it will help others. It explores the vast manifestations of neurodivergence and emphasises how even sisters with the same condition can look completely different.
// Diagnosed late, here to educate // INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, YOUTUBE @wtfisaudhdpodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
E73 | The sensory struggles of clothing and societal expectations
1w ago00:44:22Tap to summarizeWe have both struggled with clothing for our entire life - it's a double-prong of sensory icks and societal expectations that really drive us up the wall. For many neurodivergent people, clothes can be a daily sensory battle, so in this episode, we chat about our favourite "safe clothes", why certain fabrics make us want to crawl out of our skin, the emotional side of getting dressed, the societal expectations of gender-based dressing and general social decorum, and why comfort should always win over fashion!SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E72 | Masking in the bedroom
2w ago00:58:58Tap to summarizeCONTENT DISCLAIMER: This episode contains discussions about sex, intimacy, masking, consent, and unwanted sexual experiences. Please listen with caution. It also contains some EXPLICIT language, so be mindful of younger ears.This week we're discussing a topic that many people experience but rarely talk about: masking during sex and intimacy.After receiving a vulnerable email from a listener who described feeling like they were performing through every sexual experience, we wanted to explore the complicated relationship between masking, people-pleasing, sensory experiences, expectations, and intimacy.We talk about our own experiences growing up as women, the messages we received about sex and relationships, and how being neurodivergent can sometimes make it difficult to identify, communicate, and prioritise our own needs. We also discuss the difference between wanting something and feeling like you should want it, as well as the exhaustion that can come from constantly performing for others.As always, we're sharing personal experiences and listener stories rather than diagnostic criteria, and we recognise that everyone's relationship with sex and intimacy is different. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E71 | Reasons we didn't think we could be autistic
3w ago00:41:33Tap to summarizeBefore we were diagnosed, Paige and Ellie dismissed the possibility that we could be autistic because we didn't match the stereotypes we'd been exposed to. Even though Paige suspected she was autistic at 15, the environmental voices were so loud she gave up.In this episode, we're unpacking some of the reasons we didn't think we could be autistic and the experiences we later realised were showing up differently than we expected. As always, we're sharing our personal stories and experiences, not providing diagnostic advice. These traits don't automatically mean someone is autistic, but they may help explain why so many late-diagnosed and AuDHD people overlooked autism in themselves for years.Sign up to be a founding journal holder https://wtfjournals.com/signup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E70 | ADHD tax, hyperfixations and abandoned hobbies
Jun 800:51:08Tap to summarizeBefore we jump into this week's episode - we have a new Reddit! The other one will be going to the graveyard, so join our new one here: https://www.reddit.com/r/wtfisaudhdIn this episode we chat about the hobbies, journals, activities we swore we'd stick to... only to abandon then a few weeks later.From the feelings of "this is it!" "this is my new thing" to the shame and embarrassment that comes after you've forgotten it even exists. We explore why ADHD brains become so intensely focused on new interests, why that motivation can disappear seemingly overnight, and the guilt, shame and financial "ADHD tax" that often follows. We also discuss your contributions around hobbies and dusty journals from the new Reddit community. Plus, we received a message from our local psychologist Mike Cochrane about scam diagnoses and how to keep an eye out for illiegitimate 'experts'.And speaking of things we've abandoned in the past... Paige brings her latest journal updates - and how she's trying her best to ensure this is a journal that stays with you forever! More info at wtfjournals.com/signup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E69 | Why the modern world is kryptonite for ADHDers
Jun 100:34:09Tap to summarizeModern life can sometimes feel like actual torture for an ADHD brain - and it really can be! In this episode, we chat about dopamine, procrastination, novelty-seeking, and why so many apps, algorithms, and endless notifications are designed to hijack everyone's brains. Then when you add in the ADHD, we become the perfect target.We look at the ways modern life may be making life harder for ADHDers, and we share some personal examples minor tasks we've avoided, even though it would help us in the long run. If you're struggling in this modern day, overstimulating world - you are not alone.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastellieonthetelly.comwtfjournals.com/signup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E68 | WTF is that feeling of impending doom?
May 2500:31:33Tap to summarizeWhy do so many autistic, ADHD and AuDHD people experience a constant feeling that something is “wrong” or about to go wrong?In this episode of WTF is AuDHD?, we explore our experiences with the feeling of impending doom. We theorise why it might be experienced more in our community - from anxiety and sensory overload to nervous system activation, interoception, uncertainty intolerance and emotional dysregulation. We also share a few funny stories from the week that was, that include a lost cellphone and a tea kettle #adhdthings SOCIAL @wtfisaudpodcasthttps://wtfjournals.com/signuphttps://ellieonthetelly.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E67 | Why movies feel like homework (for some AuDHD brains)
May 1800:41:29Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ellie and Paige reflect on Ellie's recent overseas trip and why Amsterdam in particular was kind to her neurodivergent mind. We go on a few side quests along the way, chatting about Ellie's recent engagement, Paige tells a story about having Tourette's in public and we accidentally end up analysing marriage. In the second half of the episode, we chat all about movies and why we both find it hard to commit to them. Ellie brings some research on why some autistic/ADHD people struggle with movies and we bring our own lived experience. We're curious to know - do you also struggle to commit to movies?Sign up for WTF Journal presales - wtfjournals.com/signupChat with Ellie - ellieonthetelly.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E66 | Neurodiversity and the fear of being perceived
May 1000:33:22Tap to summarizeWhy does being seen feel so uncomfortable… even when nothing’s actually wrong?In this episode, we unpack the fear of being perceived - something that shows up in many people from the neurodivergent community. From overthinking how we’re coming across, to feeling exposed just existing in public (and private!), to avoiding being watched altogether (lockdown was an interesting time) - we share what this experience feels like for us. Maybe you'll recognise this in yourself too? We talk about masking, perfectionism, shame, and the weird contradiction of wanting to be understood but not wanting to be perceived.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast @wtf.journals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E65 | Things that dysregulate us (feat. you)
May 300:32:07Tap to summarizeWhat completely dysregulates you that might seem a bit unusual to someone else? This episode is basically a collection of “why does THIS send me over the edge?” moments.We’re sharing the things that dysregulate us as AuDHDers - from noises, to sounds, to textures, to general demands - we share our own experiences plus read out the ones you sent us on Instagram.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast @wtf.journals Book a mentoring session with Ellie ellieonthetelly.comSign up for early access to our journals - wtfjournals.com/signup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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E64 | Cannabis and AuDHD - why does it make me feel "normal"?
Apr 2700:46:13Tap to summarizeContent note: This episode discusses cannabis use and self-medication. We’re sharing personal experiences, not medical advice. If medicinal cannabis is legal in your country/state, please see a healthcare professional to discuss your prescription options.In this episode, we explore why cannabis use seems to be relatively common among ADHD and autistic people - and what we’ve personally noticed. Even though we're sisters, we've both had different relationships with it. We talk about how it affects our brains and bodies, the ways it can help (and sometimes not help), and the very loose science behind why this might be the case. We chat about the endocannabinoid system and how that system might work differently in autistic people and discuss whether this might be why it helps some of us feel "normal".Again, this isn't medical advice, it's just a casual chat about something that isn’t talked about enough.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast @wtf.journals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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