The ADHD Reframed Project Blog

Welcome to The ADHD Reframed Project
🌱 My First Blog
Hello everyone, and welcome to my very first blog post for The ADHD Reframed Project.
I’m Emma, the founder of this initiative, and I’m nearly 50 years old.

🔎 My ADHD Diagnosis Journey
I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2019 at the age of 43. Until then, I had no idea I had ADHD. A colleague first suggested it, and I laughed it off with the stereotypical response: “No, I don’t have ADHD—I’m not a disruptive little boy!”
A week later, she left a survey on my desk. I filled it out in private, and the results came back: 98% likelihood of ADHD. I remember sitting in shock, repeating to myself: “I have ADHD, I have ADHD, I have ADHD.”
That moment changed everything. My GP referred me to a psychiatrist, and after months of assessment, the diagnosis was confirmed. Looking back, the symptoms had been present all my life, but they had been overlooked.

💔 Processing & Healing
Alongside ADHD, I was later diagnosed with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, CPTSD, depression, and anxiety. These conditions forced me to stop working and focus on my health.
I grieved the years of being undiagnosed, wondering how different life could have been. I struggled with suicidal thoughts, but with support from my partner and professionals, I found the strength to keep going.

🎓 Returning to Education
I’ve always been fascinated by human behaviour. In 2023, I took a leap and enrolled in a BSc (Hons) Psychology degree as a distance learner.
At first, I doubted myself. Research methods nearly broke me, but with the help of an academic skills tutor, I learned how to harness ADHD as a super skill. That support transformed my confidence, self‑acceptance, and self‑worth.

💪 Advocacy & Leadership
My background includes over 20 years of advocating for vulnerable people. That passion carried into university life.
Since 2024, I’ve campaigned for better support for students with ADHD. I became a student representative, joined advisory boards, co‑hosted weekly Neurodiversity Network events, and consulted with senior management on inclusion strategies.
One highlight was co-hosting the first ADHD-only webinar at my university, which drew 120 attendees. I presented on ADHD myths, gender differences, and neurodevelopmental insights. The feedback was incredible—and it sparked the idea for this project.

🌟 Why I Started The ADHD Reframed Project
That webinar didn’t feel like work—it felt like purpose. My obsession with ADHD has become a calling:
• To educate others in clear, accessible ways.
• To support people in reframing ADHD as a strength.
• To empower those who feel misunderstood or overlooked.
This blog will share my personal experiences, while other project resources will be more structured and practical.

📅 What’s Next
I’ll be posting here every Friday, sharing insights, stories, and tools to help you reframe your perspective on ADHD.
Thank you for reading my first blog post—and for joining me on this journey. Together, we can change the way ADHD is understood.

✨ Emma
Founder, The ADHD Reframed Project