Unmasking ADHD: Laurie’s Journey of Late Diagnosis, Identity, and Everyday Life

What if everything you thought was “just your personality” turned out to be ADHD? For many late-diagnosed adults, that lightbulb moment brings both relief and grief. Laurie’s story shines a light on what it means to navigate identity, unmasking, and daily life with ADHD in a world that often misunderstands neurodivergence. Meet Laurie Faulkner, a content creator and advocate who was diagnosed with ADHD at 23 after years of feeling “different.” Her journey—from drama school to impulsively moving countries, working for Disney as a princess, and now openly sharing her ADHD story online—offers a relatable and refreshing perspective. Laurie speaks candidly about masking, overstimulation, impulsivity, and the hacks that help her thrive. She brings authenticity, humor, and honesty to the conversation, making her a powerful voice for the late-diagnosed neurodivergent community.TOPICS DISCUSSEDLate ADHD diagnosis in adulthoodMasking and unmaskingOverstimulation and sensory sensitivitiesImpulsivity and decision-making with ADHDHacks for managing focus and routinesSupporting neurodivergent friends and adultsNeurodiversity as a spectrumStrengths and struggles of ADHD brainsTAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODEADHD often goes unnoticed until adulthood, leaving many to feel “different” without knowing why.Masking can be exhausting—and unmasking is a process of rediscovering your true self.Impulsivity isn’t always a negative—sometimes it leads to incredible adventures and opportunities.Practical ADHD hacks include: doing tasks immediately, sticking to routines, and using tools like Google Calendar.Support for neurodivergent people looks like acceptance, honest communication, and accountability from those closest to them.Neurodivergence is a spectrum—every person’s experience is unique, and that diversity is a strength. Join the Unfinished Community WhatsApp. Where you can share your everyday joys, struggles, and differences! Click here to join.Sign up to our newsletter where we continue the conversation along with sharing helpful resources and techniques tried out by parents and professionals in the neurodiverse world. You can know get the episodes on YouTube! Click here to subscribe. Follow the show on all the socials @theunfinishedidea - look for the brain! Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices