Oct 7, 2026 · 31 min · 8 segments
Ruth Lilleker joins Collette Easton for an honest conversation about ADHD, neurodivergence and the need for better support at work. Drawing on her own diagnosis and experience in recovery services…
Obviously, you got your assessment, or sorry, you got your diagnosis, and you changed jobs.
So how do you think ADHD had affected you sort of prior to that realization in the past?
Like, at first I'd be okay, but then because I'd, I wasn't being supported, but it wouldn't be known to them or to me 'cause I wasn't obviously diagnosed.
Like, whoever was there, like in, in the office or in the building I was working, I was able to adapt who I was to suit them.
[laughs] Um, I'd come home, my house, me being disorganized, now it was even worse.
And I was falling asleep again at about 10:00, and couldn't get out of bed in the morning.
I just thought, "Why can people function and I can't? Why is this, why is life so difficult for me? Why is like, I've got pots on my draining board, it's like wet Jenga? Why are my cupboards so disorganized? Why is the house such a mess?" And I hated going out.
I still don't like going to the shops, but even still now I get anxious because I struggle being around people, because people don't necessarily understand that how you present, how you talk, things like you say, sometimes it can't be helped.
I'm not saying that having ADHD or autism excuses shitty behavior, 'cause it doesn't.
Obviously, you got your assessment, or sorry, you got your diagnosis, and you changed jobs.
So how do you think ADHD had affected you sort of prior to that realization in the past?
Like, at first I'd be okay, but then because I'd, I wasn't being supported, but it wouldn't be known to them or to me 'cause I wasn't obviously diagnosed.
Like, whoever was there, like in, in the office or in the building I was working, I was able to adapt who I was to suit them.
[laughs] Um, I'd come home, my house, me being disorganized, now it was even worse.
And I was falling asleep again at about 10:00, and couldn't get out of bed in the morning.
I just thought, "Why can people function and I can't? Why is this, why is life so difficult for me? Why is like, I've got pots on my draining board, it's like wet Jenga? Why are my cupboards so disorganized? Why is the house such a mess?" And I hated going out.
I still don't like going to the shops, but even still now I get anxious because I struggle being around people, because people don't necessarily understand that how you present, how you talk, things like you say, sometimes it can't be helped.
I'm not saying that having ADHD or autism excuses shitty behavior, 'cause it doesn't.
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