Ellie Smith-Barratt

Hi, I'm Ellie. I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2024 at 52. It had never crossed my mind until a friend of many years who I was also working with, suggested it to me. All of a sudden the world shifted. I began to realise that so many of the challenges, and struggles I had faced were not just what everyone faced, but that I was not as good at dealing with, that the reasons I often felt isolated even when I had good friends and support, and why so many everyday things often seemed completely impossible was actually normal for me, because of ADHD.

In the past year, since being diagnosed, I have learnt so much about myself and have probably been kinder to myself than I have in the past.

But at the same time my frustrations have amplified. I am still me, and while I understand me better and give my self a break more often, that’s not how most of the rest of the world responds.

There is so much stigma attached to ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions, and is it any wonder when what we experience is described as a deficit and a disorder.

I am so glad I have my diagnosis, but there are still so many challenges and so many reasons people fear a diagnosis, for them and or their children.

Becoming an ambassador for ADHD UK for me is about helping helping to change perceptions and making the world a better place for people with ADHD, because in doing that I do believe the world will benefit from our diversity.

BBC (2025)

The article explores the growing debate over the rise in self-diagnosed neurodivergence, including conditions like ADHD and autism, as more people attribute daily struggles to these labels. It examines how this shift affects access to support services, how professionals respond to increased demand and changed public perceptions, and whether the trend reflects better awareness or a looser use of diagnostic criteria.

Read the full article here: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2lmdrvgz5o

@edenvalleyellie

@ellie-smith-barratt