Many women reach adulthood feeling that life is simply harder for them than it seems to be for others. They may describe themselves as “too sensitive”, “lazy”, “disorganised”, or “emotionally intense”. Some have spent years moving in and out of mental health services with diagnoses such as anxiety or depression that never quite explain the whole picture.

Across the UK, more adults than ever are seeking assessment for autism and ADHD. Waiting lists are long, symptoms are often misunderstood, and many people reach adulthood having spent years trying to make sense of difficulties with focus, social communication, executive functioning, overwhelm, emotional regulation or burnout.

Deciding to pursue an assessment for ADHD or autism can feel like a significant step. Many people come to Effra Clinic after years of wondering why certain aspects of everyday life feel more difficult, or after recognising themselves in descriptions of ADHD or autism later in adulthood.