Episode Description:

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the realities of ADHD and autistic burnout—two profoundly misunderstood experiences that impact millions of neurodivergent individuals worldwide.

Through a blend of lived experience, scientific insight, and human-centred storytelling, we explore what burnout really looks like, why it happens, and how it often goes unseen—until it’s too late. From the neurological roots of ADHD to the emotional weight of long-term masking in autism, we unpack the causes, early warning signs, and long-term impacts that too many people silently carry.

Whether you're a healthcare professional looking to better support your patients, or someone walking this road yourself, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and hope. You'll also learn practical strategies for recovery, systemic changes that could ease the burden, and why understanding the difference between a meltdown and a motivational lapse matters more than ever.

This isn’t just about burnout. It’s about building a world where neurodivergent people don’t have to burn out to be seen.

🧠✨ Because when we design systems that work for every kind of brain, we create a future where everyone can thrive.

Further Reading:

Able, S.L., Johnston, J.A., Adler, L.A. and Swindle, R.W., 2007. Functional and psychosocial impairment in adults with undiagnosed ADHD. Psychological Medicine, 37(1), pp.97–107.

American Psychiatric Association, 2013. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Barkley, R.A., 2015. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment. 4th ed. New York: Guilford Press.

Biederman, J., Monuteaux, M.C., Spencer, T., Wilens, T.E., Faraone, S.V., 2006. Stimulant therapy and risk for subsequent substance use disorders in youth with ADHD: A meta-analytic review. Pediatrics, 119(1), pp.e243–e256.

Cortese, S., Adamo, N., Giovane, C.D., Mohr-Jensen, C., Hayes, A.J., Carucci, S., Zeni, C.P. and Cipriani, A., 2018. Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(9), pp.727–738.

Faraone, S.V., Biederman, J. and Mick, E., 2021. The age-dependent decline of ADHD: a meta-analysis of follow-up studies. Psychological Medicine, 36(2), pp.159–165.

Hallowell, E.M. and Ratey, J.J., 2005. Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder. New York: Ballantine Books.

Higgins, J., Arnold, S.R.C. and Pellicano, E., 2021. Autistic burnout: The impact of daily life experiences on autistic adults. Autism in Adulthood, 3(2), pp.143–153.

Hull, L., Petrides, K.V. and Mandy, W., 2017. The female autism phenotype and camouflaging: a narrative review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 4(4), pp.306–317.

Milton, D., 2012. On the ontological status of autism: The ‘double empathy problem’. Disability & Society, 27(6), pp.883–887.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2018. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management. [online] Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87 [Accessed 23 Mar. 2025].