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

NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk for health or diagnostic advice. This talk only represents the speaker's personal experiences and understanding of ADHD in women. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: storage.ted.com...
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
Claire heads up a podcast and consulting agency, working with Schools, Universities, and workplaces, running workshops to promote ADHD strategies to ensure inclusion and productivity. Her talk will focus on her personal and professional mission to educate others on the challenges and benefits of having neurodiverse friends and employees. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@WanieB]

Thank you for being real, to help others understand ❤

[@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

[@jenjoybrukiewa4815]

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.

[@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!

[@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

[@adventurousfamilytravel-ou6598]

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

[@vicky1147]

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.

[@kates1991]

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

[@Missbeee27]

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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@vickihull8731]

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.

[@gedbyrne8482]

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

[@Isabelle-dd3vc]

Plot twist: it's undiagnosed

[@jakeseleven7577]

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 :)