ADHD—Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—is certainly in the spotlight at the moment. Articles, social media posts, and personal stories are filling our feeds, bringing much-needed attention to a condition that many people have struggled to have recognised. For those who’ve faced years of misunderstanding or misdiagnosis, this rise in awareness is promising. But for others who are seeing symptoms of ADHD discussed for the first time, it can also lead to confusion, self-diagnosis, and questions: “Could this be me?” or “Does my loved one have ADHD?”

Let’s take a look at why this growing visibility is both helpful and challenging, and how to navigate questions around ADHD assessment in a responsible, supportive way.

The journey to understanding one’s mental health is rarely straightforward. For many, it involves navigating multiple diagnoses at once, each with its own set of challenges and treatments. Anxiety might walk hand-in-hand with depression, or ADHD could coexist with mood disorders, creating layers of complexity in understanding and managing what’s going on beneath the surface.

Emotions are a part of our everyday lives. They’re woven into our interactions, decisions, and even our physical responses. Yet, while emotions shape so much of our experience, they are often tough to articulate. There’s a profound reason why we sometimes feel a rush of anxiety, joy, or sadness before even understanding why—and that reason lies in how our brains are wired to feel before we think.

Life is full of moments that challenge us—difficult emotions, unwelcome thoughts, and experiences we’d rather avoid. When these arise, our natural instinct is often to push them away, to resist what we don’t want to feel or face. But what if this resistance is precisely what makes our struggles harder to bear? Steven Hayes, in his groundbreaking work Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), offers an alternative: acceptance.

The inevitability of death is a reality we all face, yet it remains one of the most challenging concepts to confront. It often lingers at the periphery of our consciousness, emerging in moments of personal loss, illness, or unexpected events. For many, the thought of mortality evokes fear, sadness, and sometimes even denial. However, exploring this topic openly can transform how we live our daily lives. As the renowned existential thinker Irvin Yalom discusses in his book, Staring at the Sun, grappling with mortality is not solely about preparing for death but also about enhancing life.

If you’ve ever reached for a glass of wine or a pint after a particularly tough day, you’re not alone. Many people turn to alcohol as a way to manage emotional pain or stress. It’s a common coping mechanism, but it’s important to recognise that while alcohol might provide temporary relief, it often exacerbates the underlying issues and can lead to more significant problems over time.nLet's explore what these are and how to manage it.