WTF is AuDHD?

Today we dive into the world of ADHD medication and our experiences - what it is, how it works, and how it's helped us. We break down the science in (very) simple terms - even though we don't know how to say norepinephrine. We share our personal journeys with different medications, and discuss the pros, cons, and side effects we’ve experienced along the way. We also touch on what options are currently available in Aotearoa New Zealand, how to access them, and what to expect on your medication journey. To reiterate, this is all from our lived experience so please supplement this with your own research and speak to a healthcare professional.LINKTREESOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content warning: The content discussed in this episode is for informational and personal storytelling purposes only. We are not medical professionals, and this should not be taken as medical or therapeutic advice. If you are struggling with substance use or addiction, please reach out to a qualified professional or a trusted support service.In this episode, we're diving into a sensitive but crucial topic: the relationship between substance use and neurodivergence - mainly ADHD and autism - through our personal experiences.We explore why neurodivergent people may be at greater risk of substance use, how masking, trauma, and unmet needs contribute, and why addiction services must become more neurodivergence-informed here in Aotearoa New Zealand. We also share our own personal experiences and what we’ve learned about ourselves and our relationship with substances. This episode draws on New Zealand-based research and insights, alongside our lived experiences.This is the article we frequently reference.Helpful links:NZ Drug Foundation – Support Services DirectoryHealthline NZ – Alcohol and Drug Helpline (Free call: 0800 787 797 or free text: 8681)1737 – Need to talk? (Free call or text 1737 for support from a trained counsellor) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DISCLAIMER: this episode lightly mentions suicide, self harm and substance abuse.In response to recent comments made by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about autism, we dive into why this kind of rhetoric is not only harmful and dehumanising, but also rooted in outdated, ableist thinking. We break down some of the direct quotes, talk about the real-life impact of these messages, and remind listeners that every autistic experience is valid, and we don’t need to be fixed or cured.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastLINKTREE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we tackle the common misconception that “everyone is being diagnosed these days.” From ADHD to autism, it can feel like neurodivergence is suddenly everywhere—but is that really a bad thing? We unpack why diagnosis rates are rising, what’s changed in how we recognise neurodivergence (especially in adults, women, and marginalised groups), and why it’s not about a trend. We also touch on some of the harmful conversations going on in the USA at the moment, and explain why the language being used is harmful.SOCAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastLINKTREE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore how to start unmasking and embracing your authentic self. We break down what masking is, how to recognise when you’re doing it, and the steps you can take to slowly unmask in safe and supportive spaces. We take inspiration from Devon Price's book Unmasking Autism, and we acknowledge that unmasking is a lifelong process, not an overnight transformation. It takes time, practice, and self-compassion. We share our personal journeys, practical strategies, and the challenges that come with shedding years of social conditioning.LINKTREESOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive deep into masking—the conscious and unconscious ways that neurodivergent people camouflage their traits to fit into a neurotypical world. We explore what masking is, why we do it, how it impacts mental health, and the long-term cost of constantly suppressing our true selves. We also share personal experiences of masking and briefly discuss the journey toward unmasking and self-acceptance. Next week we will dive deeper on the unmasking side of things.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcastLINKTREE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why did school never teach us what actually happens during the menstrual cycle?! In this episode, we break down the four phases of the menstrual cycle, what hormones are at play, and how they impact mood, energy, and brain function.We dive deep into PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)—what it is, why it’s often misunderstood, and how it disproportionately affects neurodivergent people. We share our personal experiences, the science behind PMDD, and the frustrating reality of seeking a diagnosis. Plus, we discuss the link between ADHD, autism, and hormone sensitivity, our medication journeys, and the strategies that have helped us manage PMDD symptoms.LINKTREESocial @wtfisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode touches on some of the differences between autism and ADHD and why it can be rough having both conditions in one brain. We talk about the aspects of AuDHD that can feel contradictory to live with, and further discuss how the AuDHD neurotype is a completely unique and different experience to just having one or the other.It's also Neurodiversity Celebration Week! This week aims to recognise, support and celebrate the estimated 1 in 7 people who think, learn and process the world differently. More info here!LINKTREESOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we finally get to the whole point of this podcast - what is like to be the unique neuro-type of AuDHD? Having only been 12 years since you could diagnose autism and ADHD simultaneously, there’s not a huge amount of research on the combination. We share our perspective on our AuDHD experience, with the aim of adding to the research pool of lived experiences. We mention conditions it can be misdiagnosed as, and touch on the friendship side of things again. Next week we’ll chat more about the contradictions of living with both ADHD and autism.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast | TikTok | Instagram | YouTubehttps://linktr.ee/wtfisaudhdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of WTF is AuDHD? we explore what Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is. We explain the three levels of autism, and touch on popular theories such as neural pruning, nervous system links and we discuss how autistic brains process differently to neurotypical people. This is from the perspective of two white cis-women born who are reasonably privileged and we appreciate this may not relate to everyone. Remember, if you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person! Deeper conversations about autism will be explored in future episodes, with the aim of eventually getting other autistic people on as guests.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast | YouTube | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook LINKTREE here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, we kick things off with an open conversation about the menstrual cycle and an introduction to PMDD, as Paige shares her experience with a new medication designed to manage its symptoms. Then, we dive into ADHD—what it is, common misconceptions, and why neurodiversity plays a crucial role in the world.SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast | TikTok | Instagram | YouTubeSubmit your suggestions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Disclaimer: we are not medical professionals and this episode is brought to you by Ellie and Paige's personal lived experiences.From a late ADHD diagnosis, to realising we're autistic too, this episode explores our diagnosis journeys to autism - both of which have been very different! We explore how we came to realise we might be autistic, share stories of being denied by medical professionals and emphasise the importance of following your gut. This chat starts to highlight why high masking women end up being missed and why it's important to explore masking and camouflaging in the context of an autism diagnosis.Helpful links:https://embrace-autism.com/autism-tests/ - examples of screenershttps://beehyve.health/ - ADHD hub in New ZealandLINKTREE - Feel free to submit feedback on social media about topics you'd like to hear about! @wtfisaudhdpodcast / Instagram | YouTube | TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DISCLAIMER: This episode is based on our personal experiences of being diagnosed with ADHD in New Zealand, with a focus on the private healthcare route. We're not medical professionals, and this isn't a comprehensive guide—so please do your own research and seek advice from qualified experts. In next week's episode, we'll cover more about the public healthcare options available in NZ, including options for University students.In this episode, we (AuDHD sisters Ellie and Paige) chat about how and why we came to explore whether we had ADHD. We touch on our genetics, the difference in our traits, how the assessment process worked and share some of our favourite neurodivergent creators (check out who we're following on Instagram!). Next week we will cover how we came to our Autism diagnoses.Submit a topic you'd like us to cover HERE!Helpful links:https://www.adhd.org.nz/https://acfbfund.org.nz/SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast / Instagram | YouTube | TikTokLINKTREE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: light mentions of alcohol and substance use. This week, we continue the conversation regarding life before our ADHD and Autism diagnoses. We chat about life after leaving school, what our relationships were like, how we coped in the workplace and how & why our mental health was severely impacted. This episode leads up to the point before diagnosis which we will cover in next week’s episode.Feel free to submit feedback on social media about topics you'd like to hear about!SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast / Instagram | YouTube | TikTokLINKTREE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of WTF is AuDHD?, we go back to our childhoods and observe what we were like as AuDHD kids before diagnosis. Despite being made by the same parents and brought up in the same household, our childhood experiences and behaviours were vastly different. Now in hindsight, we know there was evidence of AuDHD that was missed. This chat starts to highlight the idea that the same condition can manifest completely differently and the stereotypes you've been taught aren't always true for everyone!Feel free to submit feedback on social media about topics you'd like to hear about!SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast / Instagram | YouTube | TikTokLINKTREE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the first episode of WTF is AuDHD?, hosted by Ellie and Paige—late-diagnosed sisters navigating life with the unique combination of ADHD and Autism. Ironically, we won’t dive fully into the burning question, 'What exactly is AuDHD?' just yet—it’s a big one! Instead, let's start by telling you who we are, why we started this podcast, and how it might resonate with you.Feel free to submit feedback on social media about topics you'd like to hear about!SOCIAL @wtfisaudhdpodcast / Instagram | YouTube | TikTokLINKTREE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi! We’re Ellie and Paige and we’re sisters with AuDHD (that’s the combo of autism and ADHD).We were both diagnosed later in life, and we want to share our experiences living with undiagnosed neurodivergence and how our lives changed after diagnosis, in the hopes that it might help others.This podcast will explore the vast manifestations of neurodivergence and show that even sisters with the same condition can look completely different. Episode one drops Tuesday 21st Jan with new episodes dropping every Tuesday! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.