ADHDifference

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss ADHD and overwhelm – that sense of frustration when we can get upset and shut down emotionally and mentally, in various situations.    They discuss common triggers such as interruptions to hyperfocus, unexpected tasks, or crowded environments, and share practical strategies for managing overwhelm. These include breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting boundaries,...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss ADHD and boredom – despite having a busy mind, we still can experience boredom in various situations, often to our surprise.      They chat about their personal experience of boredom in ADHD, describing it as a struggle with motivation rather than simply having nothing to do. They discuss “trapped boredom,” which arises in situations with little control, and “freedo...

Julie Legg chats with London-based certified ADHD coach Laurence Pratt, the founder of ADHD Goals, with a background in UX research and design. Laurence shares his journey to an ADHD diagnosis and the purpose it brought him in becoming a coach. Laurence describes how his coaching approach focuses on empowering clients to reach their goals by identifying their strengths and addressing common ADHD c...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss ADHD and dating – how ADHD traits can impact some of our dating skills and dating experiences, managing expectations, and being authentic.   They discuss common challenges, such as emotional dysregulation, masking, and difficulties with active listening, while offering strategies for success, including authenticity, trusting gut instincts, and open communication. Em...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss ADHD and friendships – the challenges faced when trying to make friends, keeping them, and high expectations placed upon what a friend should be.    They discuss finding joy in low-pressure connections and forming bonds through shared interests, redefining friendship on their own terms and focusing on practical strategies such as active listening. Julie and Jel offe...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss the big emotions that can accompany ADHD – emotional dysregulation, and the challenges faced when exhibiting them.    They discuss how emotional dysregulation amplifies both positive and negative feelings, leading to intense responses that can overwhelm individuals and confuse others. They explore the role of emotional triggers, delayed processing, and the ways ADHD...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss ADHD and overthinking – the loops of thoughts that continuously consume the minds of many with ADHD.   They explore how unresolved thought loops can consume time, heighten stress, and create emotional spirals, often blending past regrets with present concerns. Drawing on their personal experiences, they discuss the reasons behind overthinking, its impacts, and pract...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss ADHD Superpowers - is there such a thing, what it really means, and why it is such a polarising ADHD subject.   They discuss the balance between strengths like creativity, crisis management, and empathy, and the challenges these traits can pose. With insights on harnessing these abilities and embracing neurodiversity, the episode offers encouragement for ADHDers to...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss ‘small talk’ and ADHD – why is it so annoying? They chat about why small talk seems at times painful when, not long after the pleasantries are over, the conversation doesn’t progress. Why is small talk frustrating? How can small talk become big talk?  With practical insights, the episode highlights ways to make small talk more bearable while recognizing the preferen...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss ADHD, conflict and confrontation - why, when and how we are likely to react in certain situations. They delve into the complexities of conflict and confrontation through the lens of ADHD, explore how traits like impulsivity and emotional intensity influence reactions, the challenges of managing conflict, and strategies for resolution. By highlighting the value of st...

Julie Legg speaks with Dani Donovan, CEO/founder of The Anti-Boring Project . Dani is known worldwide for her ADHD comic illustrations. Dani is a graphic designer, content creator, public speaker and now author of ‘ The Anti-Planner: How to get sh*t done when you don’t feel like it ‘ that deals with procrastination and all the emotions that hinder us from doing those projects and chores that don’t...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss the link between ADHD and masking - why, when and how we are likely to mask and unmask. They chat about whether masking is intentional or unintentional, detrimental to our self-esteem, and why they feel it is deemed necessary in certain situations. Often used to conform to societal norms, masking involves suppressing true thoughts and behaviors to avoid judgment or...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss the link between ADHD and hypersensitivity – not necessarily a trait, but a common attribute for people with ADHD.   They chat about each of their senses, the weird and wonderful extremes they experience. From datum lines to aesthetics, bass drums and distant conversations, scratchy clothing labels to repetitive touch, Christmas shopping to confrontation. They ponde...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss the link between ADHD and creativity – a mighty strength for many individuals with ADHD. They ponder what creativity is - from the arts, to communication, storytelling, and non-linear thinking.   From problem-solving, artistic pursuits, to everyday tasks, they discuss the dopamine-driven joy of creative expression, the challenges of perfectionism and imposter syndro...

In this episode Julie Legg interviews guest Leonie-Ruth Acland (aged 68, NSW) who identifies with ADHD but is not formally diagnosed. They chat about how this came about, feelings of ‘deficit’ as a child, and the inspirational women she has met on her ADHD journey. Ruth shares how understanding her ADHD traits has allowed her to reframe her life with self-compassion, recognizing the strengths and...

Julie and Jel Legg discuss life following their adult ADHD diagnoses – taking ownership of their ADHD and how it has impacted their past, and will impact their future too. They delve into how diagnosis provides clarity and self-compassion for past struggles while offering a framework for better decision-making and leveraging strengths in the present and future. From managing relationships and adop...

Julie and Jel Legg discuss the adult ADHD diagnosis process in New Zealand – what lead them to seek a diagnosis in their 50s, the assessment procedure, and their personal journey. They share their experiences navigating professional evaluations, uncovering hidden impairments, and reflecting on past behaviors through the lens of ADHD. With insights into the emotional relief and self-discovery that...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss Imposter Syndrome – what it’s all about and how it can play out in the lives of those with ADHD.   They share personal experiences of navigating success without formal qualifications, discussing how ADHD traits like rejection sensitivity and emotional dysregulation intensify these struggles. From creative pursuits to professional accomplishments, they examine the im...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss impatience – what triggers theirs, what extreme impatience can result in, and how this ADHD trait affects them personally. Extreme impatience is a common challenge for those with ADHD, driven by a dopamine deficiency that creates a constant need for immediate gratification. This can lead to frustration in situations, often triggering impulsive reactions and emotiona...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg discuss time management – the ups, the downs, and the realities of living with this very common ADHD challenge. They highlight the difficulty in balancing impulsivity, distractions, and hyperfocus, which often leads to underestimating time or losing track of tasks. Both discuss strategies like setting reminders, creating structured routines, and choosing self-paced work env...

Julie Legg and Jel Legg introduce their first ADHDifference Podcast in an ongoing series.  They discuss why they created this series of ADHD podcasts and why they prefer the word ‘difference’ to ‘disorder’. Upbeat and informal, Julie and Jel share their unique experiences and insights where they explore life with ADHD from a non-medicated perspective, the impact of late diagnosis, the value of the...