Welcome to Runaway Brain - Understanding ADHD & Neurodiversity with enthusiasm, knowledge and self-compassion
And absolutely demolishing the stigma as we do
Welcome to Runaway Brain by me, Niamh. I am a writer and a scientist embracing and exploring neurodiversity following a mid-life diagnosis of combination ADHD. I don’t just have ADHD, like most people I have co-morbids which I am still learning about, but it is clear that ADHD is the core of my neurodiversity, so I am starting here.
I have been deep in the research for a few years as I sought to understand myself better. I quickly understood that the misinformation and misunderstandings about ADHD in women apply not only to much of the medical profession (sadly!) but also to ourselves.
We have internalised so much of the shame and stigma that society thrust upon us because of our neurodiverse brains. This made many of us more vulnerable and fragile than we needed to be. Diagnosis and knowledge of who we actually are after years of trying to mask it is not only empowering, it can be a source of strength.
An ADHD brain is just a different brain. It is interest based and it will never prioritise taxes or the laundry when there is something interesting to learn - when there is anything else that it can do. It is difficult for neurotypicals to understand that we can’t just divert our brain to the task that needs to be done, but now that I understand my brain better, I would never trade it.
We are just different, and yes the deficit sucks, but on the other side of the deficit is tremendous capability. I plan to share what I have learned and continue to learn. Why me? Well, anyone with ADHD is perfectly placed to share their truth and lived experience. My background is also in human physiology, including neuroscience, and I am just about to start an MSc in Neuroscience too.
There will be science, but no jargon, everything will be accessible to every brain. We deserve to understand ourselves and to embrace all that is great about us.
Sign up now so you don’t miss the first issue. And if you like food, and all things cooking, you can find me @eatlikeagirl too.
In the meantime, tell your friends!