For most of my life, I’ve felt that I see and process the world a little differently from most of the people around me. I tried to conform to rigid expectations and patterns, often putting other people’s needs before my own. I was plagued by a strong fear of rejection (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria), which influenced my decisions, relationships and the way I functioned.

I often heard or sensed between the lines that I was ‘somehow different’ – sometimes too intense, sometimes too direct, sometimes simply not fitting certain expectations. At the same time, I’ve always been an open, energetic person who felt at home in the business world. Despite my abilities and commitment, there were times when I wasn’t chosen for roles where I could have added significant value. I felt that something set me apart, but for many years I didn’t know exactly what it was. I also didn’t understand many of my experiences – hypersensitivity to light, noise and sensory overload, or the fatigue resulting from constantly having to adapt. I grew up and developed my career at a time when ADHD in adults, particularly in women, was rarely diagnosed. This lack of knowledge meant that, rather than understanding myself better, I often tried even harder to fit in.