In this episode of AuDHD And Then Some, Ellie sits down with Daran, also known as Man On Pause, for an honest and important conversation about men’s mental health, neurodivergence, masking, burnout, and the pressures many men face when it comes to opening up emotionally.

Part one of two…..In this episode of Unmasked: AuDHD Diary Room, I read out some of the things people genuinely feel too embarrassed to admit about living with ADHD and AuDHD — from executive dysfunction and emotional dysregulation to overwhelm, waiting mode, overstimulation, avoidance, burnout, ADHD shame spirals, and the exhausting reality of trying to function with a neurodivergent brain.

In part two of Things I Feel Too Embarrassed To Admit About ADHD, I go even deeper into the emotional, exhausting, overwhelming, and sometimes heartbreaking realities of living with ADHD and AuDHD.

This episode explores the hidden shame many neurodivergent people carry around executive dysfunction, emotional overwhelm, burnout, masking, overstimulation, self-doubt, rejection sensitivity, and feeling emotionally “behind” in life.

I talk openly about:

✨ ADHD shame spirals

✨ burnout & mental exhaustion

✨ masking and emotional masking

✨ feeling overwhelmed by basic tasks

✨ waiting mode & paralysis

✨ emotional dysregulation

✨ feeling misunderstood

✨ grieving the version of yourself you thought you’d become

✨ the invisible exhaustion of trying to function every day

This is an honest, vulnerable, voice-note style ADHD reflection for neurodivergent adults who are tired of pretending they’re coping better than they are.

If your brain constantly feels overloaded, emotionally chaotic, exhausted, or stuck in survival mode… this episode will probably make you feel very seen. 💜

Topics include:

ADHD, AuDHD, executive dysfunction, ADHD burnout, masking, emotional dysregulation, overstimulation, neurodivergent overwhelm, late diagnosed ADHD, ADHD paralysis, mental exhaustion, rejection sensitivity, and nervous system overwhelm.

Are neurodivergent people more vulnerable to being taken advantage of?

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some., I talk honestly about the connection between AuDHD, masking, people pleasing, rejection sensitivity, low self-worth, and ending up in unhealthy or emotionally damaging relationships.

A lot of neurodivergent people grow up learning to:

• ignore their own needs

• over-explain themselves

• avoid conflict

• prioritise other people’s comfort

• and constantly question whether they’re the problem

And over time, that can make it much harder to recognise red flags, trust your instincts, and hold boundaries.

We get into:

• AuDHD and people pleasing

• masking and vulnerability

• emotional manipulation and self-doubt

• why neurodivergent people can struggle with boundaries

• rejection sensitivity and fear of abandonment

• and learning to stop abandoning yourself for other people

If you’ve ever looked back at relationships, friendships, family dynamics, or work situations and realised you were giving far more than you were receiving… this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0jI63soCWdWPIW08qWYVIB

✨ Bonus episodes & deeper support:

https://www.patreon.com/AuDHDandThenSome

What if being AuDHD isn’t about fitting neatly into one label… but finding the balance that actually works for your brain?

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some., I talk about trying to find my own “sweet spot” on the autism and ADHD spectrum — understanding which environments, routines, boundaries, and ways of living help me feel most regulated, comfortable, and like myself

Why does one small interaction stay in your head for hours… or even days?

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some., I talk about the intense embarrassment, overthinking, and emotional overwhelm that can happen after opening up to people — especially as an AuDHD or neurodivergent person.

After simply telling someone they looked nice, I came away feeling misunderstood, ashamed, and stuck replaying the entire interaction in my head.

We get into:

• rejection sensitivity and AuDHD

• overthinking social interactions

• masking and vulnerability

• emotional dysregulation and shame

• why neurodivergent people can feel things so deeply

• replaying conversations and “cringe attacks”

If you’ve ever left an interaction feeling exposed, embarrassed, or emotionally spiralling over something small… you’re definitely not alone.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0jI63soCWdWPIW08qWYVIB

✨ Bonus episodes & deeper support on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/AuDHDandThenSome

Late diagnosis can feel validating… but it can also come with a huge amount of grief.

In this episode of AuDHD and Then Some., I talk about the emotional impact of being late-diagnosed with ADHD, autism, and AuDHD — especially the grief that comes from wondering who you could’ve been if you’d understood your brain sooner.

We explore:

• late-diagnosed ADHD and autism

• AuDHD identity and masking

• burnout, self-blame, and people pleasing

• grieving lost time and missed support

• emotional overwhelm and self-understanding

• healing after late diagnosis

If you’ve ever felt sadness, anger, relief, or grief after discovering you’re neurodivergent, this episode is for you.

This is an honest conversation about late diagnosis grief, masking, survival mode, and learning to see yourself with more compassion.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0jI63soCWdWPIW08qWYVIB

✨ Bonus episodes & deeper support on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/AuDHDandThenSome

“Does anyone else constantly feel like something bad is about to happen to their children… or is it just me?”

In this episode I talk honestly about the exhausting feeling of impending doom that can come with being an AuDHD parent — the constant anxiety, catastrophising, hypervigilance, overthinking, and fear of losing the people you love most.

Because sometimes it feels like your brain is always scanning for danger.

Even when everything is okay.

I talk about:

• catastrophising and intrusive thoughts

• nervous system hypervigilance

• anxiety and emotional overwhelm

• why parenting can feel extra intense with AuDHD

• and the guilt and exhaustion that comes with always being “on alert”

If your brain constantly jumps to worst-case scenarios when it comes to your kids… you’re definitely not alone.

🎧 Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/show/0jI63soCWdWPIW08qWYVIB

✨ Bonus episodes & support: https://www.patreon.com/AuDHDandThenSome