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 resilience she has cultivated through her adventurous journey, including work with the UN and raising children in remote areas.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Identifying with ADHD Without a Formal Diagnosis: Ruth identified with ADHD at 68 after conversations with her sister, a psychotherapist, and personal reflection. She chose not to pursue formal diagnosis due to age, potential lack of medical treatment options, and the challenges of obtaining one.
- Reframing Life Through the ADHD Lens: Realizing her ADHD traits allowed Ruth to reinterpret past struggles and achievements with self-compassion, appreciating her resilience in challenging circumstances. She views her adventurous life—including raising children in remote areas and working with the UN—with pride, recognizing the strengths her ADHD traits brought.
- Strengths and Emotional Intelligence: Ruth emphasizes the role of emotional intelligence in her success, especially in collaborative and leadership roles like her work with the UN. Her ability to mediate, build teams, and foster connections has been a significant strength.
- Strategies for Flourishing: Ruth follows Ayurvedic principles, including morning routines, yoga, meditation, and connection with nature, to ground herself and maintain balance. Self-compassion and avoiding perfectionism are key to her approach. She also finds value in professional conversations and community support.
- Mentorship and Advocacy: Ruth is deeply involved in mentoring women to flourish, leveraging her life experiences to empower others. Her permaculture project, hosting interns, reflects her commitment to passing on knowledge and fostering growth in the next generation.
- Community and ADHD in Older Women: Ruth highlights the challenges of ADHD in older women, such as societal ageism and the lack of support from medical professionals. She finds strength in the growing community of ADHD women and advocates for self-education, connection, and embracing self-identification over formal labels.
- Message to Others: Ruth encourages women who identify with ADHD traits to seek understanding and resources that resonate with them, whether or not they pursue a formal diagnosis. She emphasizes personal growth and authenticity as transformative.
LINKS
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