The Misdiagnosis of Autistic Distress in the Mental Health System

The Misdiagnosis of Autistic Distress in the Mental Health System

When I am asked why I wrote Girl Unmasked, I say that I was angry. Which is true. I was angry at finding myself sectioned on a psychiatric unit at the age of 16, at the doctor there telling me I just had high social anxiety not autism, at the fact they described my autistic meltdowns as ‘hysteric attacks when she doesn’t get her own way’…

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Graduating ADHD Coaching!
ADHD, Neurodiversity, My Journey Emily ADHD, Neurodiversity, My Journey Emily

Graduating ADHD Coaching!

From August 4th 2023 to April 26th 2024…I have graduated ADHD Coaching! (if this is even a thing…i have made it a thing).

Nine months ago, I was struggling to come to terms with my fairly new ADHD diagnosis and had no sense of how to make life (which just felt constantly stressful) easier for my ADHD brain. Access to Work…

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Moving Through an OCD Blip: Reflections and Reminders
Mental Health, My Journey Emily Mental Health, My Journey Emily

Moving Through an OCD Blip: Reflections and Reminders

One of the things about living with OCD is that you never know when it is going to strike. I know that it hits most when I am stressed, tired or feeling low. I expected it when I lost my dog Coco in October, and moved through it. I was NOT expecting a new OCD theme to hit three and a bit weeks ago. I almost forget the pain of OCD until it returns…

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Reflections on 2023
My Journey Emily My Journey Emily

Reflections on 2023

2023, a year of the highest highs and lowest lows.

The first year of having the comfort of the routine of a 9-5 job and my body no longer being in a constant state of anxiety. The year I learned I have ADHD and started life-changing medication. The first year of…

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‘Anxiety Recovery’ whilst Autistic

‘Anxiety Recovery’ whilst Autistic

I spent my teenage years chasing the idea of ‘anxiety recovery’ that I later discovered didn’t exist. I wanted a life without anxiety, because all I understood was that it was limiting, destructive, painful, and stole too much from me. I also thought that was what I was meant to want. At church, year after year, people prayed for my anxiety to go…

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Grief after Pet Loss: Losing Coco
My Journey Emily My Journey Emily

Grief after Pet Loss: Losing Coco

My dog, Coco, died on the 9th October. He was six and a half and the centre of my family’s home and life. He loved absolutely everyone and he was so incredibly loved.

I don’t usually write blog posts like this, but I don’t know how to process this, and writing has always been my outlet. Telling…

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