Mask slipping - the best decision I never made. ADHD in women | Claire Thrift | TEDxSt Albans

Claire has been described as ‘a woman of incredible potential’ since the age of 18. Unfortunately, that potential was never realised and an incomplete degree and 17 short-lived jobs later, she hit a wall aged 40. At that age she was finally diagnosed with ADHD. Her talk shares how ADHD in girls and women presents very differently than it does in men and boys. She explains how her carefully cultivated mask fell off and how that was the best decision she never made!
#ADHD #ADHDInWomen #Neurodivergent

[socialjooce]

Claire - what an eye opening, honest talk. I absolutely loved hearing your story. I also think how brave you are to get up on stage and share it!

[kates]

I am Proud of you Claire for doing this. I have adhd and was diagnosed at 29 and I’m now 32. I could never imagine talking infront of 2 people let alone a room full of people. I’m trying to be proud of being wonky and wonderful, my family arnt completely under my wing so I am trying to find my people.… p.s I had to go back and forth to the title to remember how to spell your name correctly hahah

[pseabright]

Such a brave and honest talk. So important to everyone to better understand ADHD, those who have it, how to drop the mask, for those who don't, to better understand how to communicate with and support loved ones with ADHD

[lollyholly]

I had a full on identity crisis at 22 because i finally dropped the mask and now im an entirely different person and its weird but very liberating 😅

[Missbeee]

Such a very open and honest talk about something so many of us can relate to and an insightful view into ADHD. Thanks for sharing your story.

[vickihull]

What a way to tell your story- absolutely amazing Claire. Thank you for sharing- this will help so many women wearing a mask and those who are not wearing an ADHD mask to understand and support those who are.

[adventurousfamilytravel-ou]

Incredible. Thank you for sharing such a raw and personal story.

[BreakingBallet]

This was such an inspirational talk and gave me a much deeper understanding of ADHD and how it feels. Thank you for being so brave and sharing this with us.

[soniakikijonesart]

Fabulous talk...i have recently realized this is me too and also being in perimenopause, it's a double whammy and i am sick of my chaos, exhausted by my brain...i am going to start writing to share my story too. unmasked. thank you so much

[gedbyrne]

I don’t have ADHD but I still found this so relatable.

[jakeseleven]

I grew up masking as a boy and the mask was on so tight for as long as I can remember, just like Claire's. I'm glad I'm learning to unmask now at 22 instead of later down the line, because it truly is so exhausting and I don't know if I would make it to 40 if I kept it up. Thanks Claire for sharing your story :)

[vicky]

This just broke me. I've been struggling to put my 37 year old mask back on for months, after it crumbled at the start of this year. It's heartbreaking and painful. This talk has made me feel less alone.

[jenjoybrukiewa]

Pressure cooker. Yes. In my 50s now, and still in perimenepause, I'm learning to be honest with my limitations, needs, and feelings with my family and friends. I'm actually able to regulate better and get more done when I'm not trying to supress and keep others from seeing my struggle. It's better. It's going ot be ok.

[hollyvipond]

I'm 36 and I only got diagnosed (& medicated) 3 months ago.. I've never felt more authentically myself ❤

[WanieB]

Thank you for being real, to help others understand ❤

[feelgoodforlife]

Thank you so much for this Claire. I loved your honesty - much needed in this day of mask-wearing and heavily curating our lives.

[LifeOnHoth]

Girls, women. Yes. I promise you, it's very much like this for men too. It's good that we are putting so much focus on this stuff.

[nathalievandijk]

49 years. trying to cope since founding out last july. not working at all.