With Sparky and Shell
Yes, Another ADHD Podcast!
Your weekly dose of ADHD Positivity! Come with us as we navigate the mind-blowing, cluster f**k that is late-diagnosis ADHD. Hopefully along the way we’ll change your mindset, improve your daily habits and we can all learn how to still achieve our goals.
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Do You Have ADHD?
Chances are if you’ve stumbled onto this site you think you have ADHD, or that someone who’s close to you might.
The first step is to fill in an ASRS (Complete for free HERE).
If you scored highly on the ASRS the next step is an assessment. Diagnosing ADHD is based on a strict set of criteria, and while it can only be done formally by psychiatrists and appropriately trained professionals we would always recommend familiarising yourself with the criteria so you know what to expect.
Inattentive Signs of ADHD
- Is forgetful in daily activities
- Easily distracted (including unrelated thoughts)
- Loses things necessary for tasks/activities
- Avoids/dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort
- Exhibits poor organization
- Fails to follow through on tasks and instructions
- Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
- Difficulty sustaining attention
- Makes careless mistakes/lacks attention to detail
For more information on Inattention listen HERE
Hyperactive and Impulsive Signs of ADHD
- Interrupts or intrudes on others
- Has difficulty waiting their turn
- Blurts out answers
- Talks excessively
- Is “on-the-go” or acts as if “driven by a motor”
- Has difficulty engaging in quiet, leisurely activities
- Experiences feelings of restlessness
- Leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected
- Fidgets with or taps hands or feet, squirms in seat
For more information on Hyperactivity/Impulsivity listen HERE
All criteria must be met for a diagnosis of ADHD in adults:
- There is clear evidence that the symptoms interfere with or reduce the quality of social, academic, or occupational functioning.
- Several symptoms (inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive) were present before the age of 12 years.
- Five or more symptoms of inattention and/or 5 or more symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity must have persisted for over 6 months to a degree that is inconsistent with the developmental level and negatively impacts social and academic/occupational activities.
- Several symptoms (inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive) must be present in more than 2 settings (eg, at home, school, or work; with friends or relatives; in other activities).
- Symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder, and are not better explained by another mental disorder (eg, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, personality disorder, substance intoxication, or withdrawal).
Diagnosis should be based on a complete history and evaluation of the patient.
The Story Behind A Dopamine Kick
We know that life can feel like it’s kicking your ass sometimes, and it’s no secret (now anyway) that we have both experienced our fair share of challenges along the way……
But What If I Don’t Have ADHD?
Firstly – If you are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD, or want to help someone who is then you are welcome here.
Secondly – Let’s address the elephant in the room.
- You’ve completed an ASRS form and its indicated an ADHD assessment is the next step.
- You’ve obsessively researched ADHD and found lots of stuff you identify with, including things you’ve never told other people and didn’t think were related to this?
- You’ve reached out to other ADHD people, perhaps online or in person and found them oddly similar to you, with shared life experiences irrespective of upbringing.
- Maybe you’ve even gone as far as had an assessment, but you’ve convinced yourself you tricked your assessor
Perhaps this is all just a huge co-incidence. Other people have ADHD and a legitimate reason why they struggle – but you are just broken and looking for excuses.
If any of this is sounding familiar it’s because it’s what we tell ourselves ALL THE TIME. We have both had to talk each other down from “But what if it’s not ADHD” spirals, and still do!
If this is sounding familiar perhaps you DO have ADHD, but also have Imposter Syndrome.
Discovering ADHD and accepting that you have it is really hard for most of us. You’ve spent your life feeling less capable and different from everyone else. Maybe without realising it being a bit rubbish, and living in chaos has become part of your identity.
It’s hard to overstate how jolting it is to suddenly be able to give a formal, medically recognised name (i.e. a literal ‘brain disorder’!) to something that has silently taken such a heavy, confusing and painful toll over so many years. It’s worth reflecting that a patient suffering from a similarly debilitating lifelong physical condition would get societal support, sympathy and allowance, but for ADHD (hidden and unnamed) the same patient just gets chastisement and, at times, flat out abuse!
You would think that a formal diagnosis would make it all go away, but often that isn’t the case. We’ve spoken to people who have been formally diagnosed for decades and still struggle with this.
The ADHD community is so welcoming and friendly. If you haven’t already we’d really encourage you to join one. This is a link to our favourite one HERE. It’s free to join and hosted by our friends over at ADHD Adults UK. It’s a little overwhelming to begin with, I (shell) find it easiest to pick a few channels and ignore the rest. You don’t have to post if you don’t want to. Sparky is a lurker and he still really enjoys being involved.
Listen To Our Most Recent Episodes HERE:
What People Say
Really excited to start to listen to these podcasts, the hosts are so fun and positive which really grabs your attention. I hope to take a lot of the advice given and use it for my everyday recovery 🙂
Kayleajay
The hosts are so personable and it feels like a really safe space to get some inspiration to make some changes for good. 2022 I’m coming for you!
Walo.79
Have newly got into listening to podcasts and came across these guys. Really helpful and informative, have struggled with most of the topics discussed so far. Like the honesty and relatability I have found listening to you. Keep up the great work and will be eagerly awaiting the next episodes. Thank you
AdamAutoFix
I have listened to all four podcasts so far and have found them all to be factual and inspiring. both presenters make it enjoyable to listen to as they go in depth on topics stating real life stories, advice and facts, as well as humour! I felt like I was part of the conversation! I will definitely continue to listen as the topics are relevant and have gave me motivation to change some habits and lead a better way of life. Well done both!
Aneka V
So glad that this podcast is available! So relatable to me for things that I do and feel in my life. Can’t wait to listen to all your podcasts and get on a better journey for myself following your advice & ideas!! X
stephjay2484
Love this pod!
Mxsandy12
Meet Your Hosts
Sparky
Sparky is a filmmaker, photographer, videographer and social media influencer. We would have said he was techie but he literally deleted this website by accident before it was even launched.
When he is not working, he’ll most likely be found procrastinating, which will always always include, rearranging furniture, vlogging on senseless topics, making pointless reels on Instagram, eating junk food, binging garbage series on Netflix and generally avoiding the gym. Basically anything other than what he needs to be doing (something he clearly needs to work on).
Sparky has gone through a lot in his life and hasn’t always had a positive outlook so he started A Dopamine Kick with Shell to help people change their mindset.
His Therapist suggested he had ADHD in June 2022 and he is still waiting for an assessment
Shell
Shell is affectionately known, by her friends, as a little intense. Business owner, Mum of a Toddler, Podcaster, blogger and jam-making enthusiast; Shell isn’t happy unless she has too much to do.
Winner of ‘The Most Positive Person At Work Award 2021’ (sure it was printed on the work’s printer but it was laminated), Shell started A Dopamine Kick with one of her best friend’s Sparky to share some of her positivity with the world.
Shell is a walking disaster and creates most of her own problems so she’s got a lot of experience in dealing with challenges.
Her Therapist suggested she had ADHD in August 2022 and she was diagnosed in October 2022.