This article explores the lived experience of ADHD, focusing on contributions from the iDiversity team, in order to celebrate ADHD Awareness Month 2025.

Disclaimer: The information in this article uses current language, guidance, and best practices available at the time of writing. While we strive to keep our content accurate and up to date, standards and terminology may evolve over time. We welcome and encourage feedback if you notice information that could be improved, clarified, or updated to better reflect current guidance.

The Individual Experience of ADHD

October is ADHD Awareness Month. The goal of which is to increase awareness and understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

For ADHD Awareness Month 2025, the theme is “The Many Faces of ADHD.” This theme highlights the fact that every individual with ADHD is unique, and that there is no single way to experience or express it. It invites us to recognise and celebrate the wide range of experiences among those living with ADHD.

This is an incredibly important theme. As we often explain and emphasise in our articles and everyday work, no two people experience their neurodivergence in exactly the same way. Therefore, it is vital not to make assumptions or apply one-size-fits-all approaches or adjustments based solely on a diagnosis.

Understanding ADHD Beyond Awareness

While ADHD is being discussed more than ever before, and public awareness continues to grow, awareness alone doesn’t always lead to deeper understanding. Misconceptions and stereotypes still persist, often overshadowing the real, diverse experiences of people with ADHD.

For example, it’s not uncommon to hear phrases like “More people have ADHD now than ever before”, “So many people have ADHD now” or “everyone’s a little bit ADHD.” These statements can unintentionally minimise the realities of those living with the condition. What’s actually happening is that increased awareness and understanding have helped more people feel comfortable acknowledging their challenges, seeking support, and sharing their diagnoses.

While many people may occasionally struggle with focus or organisation, ADHD is characterised by lifelong patterns that can significantly affect day-to-day life. Recognising this distinction is key to building empathy and creating meaningful support.

Celebrating “The Many Faces of ADHD”

ADHD does not look the same for everyone. By sharing authentic stories and lived experiences, we can reduce stigma, challenge misconceptions, and promote greater acceptance and understanding.

Some of our team at iDiversity have shared their own personal experiences of living with ADHD. Read on to explore each individual’s unique journey – a reminder that behind every diagnosis is a person with their own story, strengths, and perspective.

ADHD can sometimes feel like the most exciting experience when I’m fizzing with creative ideas and enthusiasm. For instance, I’m currently immersing myself in learning Spanish. I want to run at 1000 miles an hour to engross myself in all things Spanish. It has gripped my attention and I am laser focused on it. Then it feels as if out of nowhere, I suddenly forget about learning Spanish. It’s as if I lose all desire and focus. This has happened many times. I have unfinished jumpers that are missing an arm because I got bored and distracted by something else; rollerskating or sourdough baking.

It can be a blessing and a curse. ADHD is great when you need to drop everything and focus all of your attention on a crisis. People talk about ‘consistency’ and I’ve come to realise, it’s not something I can be certain about. For me to be consistent, I have to have strategies in place. That’s why I find coaching strategies so useful. For example, to be able to get dressed and ready for the day, I have to be listening to music or a really good podcast. At the moment, it’s all in Spanish. This gets my body moving and the movement to the music enables me to think and focus. Silence renders me unable to move more often than not.

I know what works for me and what doesn’t. On particularly challenging days; I call these, ‘my ADHD is really bad today’ days, I have to talk aloud to give myself instructions. This guides the focus and attention part of my working memory. I can hear the instructions and I just follow them. It’s a bit like feeling foggy or sleepwalking. Those days, I have to prioritise selfcare; I go for a walk, get fresh air, dance it out, eat really nutritional food and drink lots of water. This all helps me to feel connected and present in my life and more in control, rather than it controlling me. 

Although I am not formally diagnosed with ADHD, I began to recognise it in myself after working closely with neurodivergent individuals. Hearing their stories, I started to see the same patterns reflected in my own life. It felt like someone was finally putting words to my own experiences. As a woman, I think my ADHD went unnoticed for years, partly because I learned to mask my challenges or assumed they were caused by something else.

Throughout school and early in my career, I often misplaced things, lost track of time, or needed visual explanations to fully understand tasks. At the time, I saw these as personal shortcomings; now I see them as part of how my brain works. I’ve also come to understand how emotional dysregulation and burnout are connected to ADHD, and I’ve learned to manage my energy and environment in ways that support me better.

While there are challenges, my ADHD also brings incredible strengths. I’m highly creative, especially when working on projects I’m passionate about, and I can produce great work under pressure. My brain is full of ideas and connections, helping me to think differently, problem-solve in unique ways, and bring fresh perspectives to what I do.

Today, I see my ADHD as an integral part of who I am, not something to fix, but something to understand and embrace. I think it will always feel like ‘a work in progress’, but It’s a big part of what makes me me.

Living with the Duality of ADHD and Autism

Living with both ADHD and autism means I am constantly navigating two neurotypes that often pull in completely opposite directions. ADHD, for me, can lead to task paralysis — that frustrating state where I know exactly what needs to be done but my brain simply will not initiate the first step. It can derail my focus within seconds, flooding me with competing thoughts, ideas and impulses.

Yet, paradoxically, my autistic need for structure and predictability is also one of my greatest strengths. Routine is my anchor. When I intentionally create systems and rituals around my day, the autistic part of me steps in and counters the chaos of ADHD. That internal need for order often carries me through tasks with determination and precision — even when my brain is fighting itself.

The biggest challenge is sustaining this balance while working full-time and holding myself to exceptionally high personal and professional standards. My perfectionism and imposter syndrome — deeply linked to both conditions — mean I rarely feel like I am “doing enough,” despite doing more than most.

This is why managing my health and wellbeing isn’t optional — it’s non-negotiable. Regular nervous system regulation is vital. My cold-water ocean dips, all year round, are more than a hobby; they are medicine. That intense shock, that full-body reset — it is one of the few things that reliably stabilises my dopamine and brings me back into focus, clarity and calm.

A poem from Lucy, reflecting on her experience as a young girl.

This little girl whispers to me, remember me my friend?

Remember how big we thought the world was and the opportunities would never end?

We had no cares; we loved to play we delighted in our stories and adventures.

We tried our best, we reached so high, we “listened harder” “paid attention!

I ask one thing of you my friend, we owe it to ourselves. The yesterday me, the future you, it’s time to come down off that shelf.

It’s got too comfy sitting there and you forgot about me. Go grab your dreams, go break the mould, find out who you can be!  

Do daring things and don’t look back, I’m here I’m right beside you. 
We have a gift; it’s in the light it never wanted to define you. 

So, enjoy the You, your fabulous thoughts, your energy, your humour

We have one life, and this is yours it’s beautiful and it’s far from over!

Conclusion

As you can see from the stories above, while there are shared experiences among those with ADHD – each individual’s journey is unique. No two people experience ADHD in exactly the same way, and every perspective adds valuable insight into what it means to live, and thrive, with ADHD.

It’s important to remember that awareness is only the first step. True inclusion is built on understanding, empathy, and a willingness to listen to each person’s lived experience. By recognising the many faces of ADHD, we can create workplaces and communities where everyone feels seen, supported, and valued for who they are.

If you’d like to learn more about ADHD and discover how iDiversity can support you or your organisation, please explore our services here – Services from iDiversity – iDiversity Consulting or get in touch with us using the contact button below.