22 - Distracted: Jack Suddaby on being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult
The Dr Louise Newson Podcast
Dr Louise Newson
4.8 • 798 Ratings
🗓️ 26 August 2025
⏱️ 24 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
'It really weighs heavy. It’s like puttingon lots of different cloaks.’
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a topic many are talking about right now, and thankfully, we’ve movedbeyond the outdated stereotype that it only affects young boys. And with somuch noise on social media alongside lingering stereotypes, is all thisattention truly helping people recognise their symptoms and get a diagnosis?And how does it feel to receive an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood – does it bringrelief, clarity, present new challenges, or a combination of allthree?
This week, Dr Louise Newson sits down withJack Suddaby to explore his ADHD diagnosis journey, from a lightbulb momentduring the COVID-19 lockdown to launching his podcast, Distracted. Jack opensup about the moment his symptoms pushed him to seek answers and how simpleshifts in his daily routine have transformed his life in surprising ways.
Louise discusses the connection betweenADHD and hormonal changes, from PMDD to menopause, and how these shifts canimpact symptoms, especially as ADHD often presents differently in women.
Louise and Jack explore how menopause andADHD, topics that are still under-recognised, are being talked about moreopenly, and how getting a diagnosis can truly change people’s lives by bringingunderstanding and clarity.
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Email [email protected] with suggestions for newguests!
Disclaimer
The information provided in this podcastis for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute forprofessional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice ofyour physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you mayhave regarding a medical condition. The views expressed by guests are their ownand do not necessarily reflect the views of Dr Louise Newson or the NewsonHealth Group.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | So today on my podcast, I've got Jack Sudeby, who is founder of podcast House and also runs distracted podcast. |
| 0:08.1 | We talk about ADHD, what it's like to have ADHD, how it could be diagnosed and how we can manage it. |
| 0:15.9 | And we also talk quite a lot about the brain and how it works or works differently for certain people. |
| 0:21.7 | It's a great conversation and I hope you learn a lot from it. |
| 0:28.1 | So Jack, I am in your sitting room. This is your studio. I know. And I love it. It's just such a |
| 0:34.5 | sanctuary. It's great. Now, I've been on lots of other people's podcast, |
| 0:38.3 | including yours, talking about ADHD. But it's something I was never taught about at medical |
| 0:42.8 | school. We hear it. My children talk about it. Patients talk about it. When people say I've got |
| 0:50.1 | ADHD, you can see other people looking, what is it, what's going on? And I, I just |
| 0:54.9 | thought it'd be really useful just to unpick it. Like, what is it? Is everyone with ADHD the |
| 1:01.6 | same? Do they all need treatment? Like, there's so much I just thought, I'll ask you, but before |
| 1:06.6 | I launch into too many questions, just tell us a bit about your backstory. |
| 1:13.3 | I found out I had ADHD like a couple of years ago. |
| 1:21.4 | I was in a relationship and it was like the first time that myself was fully reflected back. |
| 1:24.8 | I saw not just the good bits, the bad bits as well. |
| 1:28.4 | And I was like, why am I not listening all the time? And like, why am I getting distracting and showing up late and all of these bits? And suddenly I had |
| 1:32.7 | someone who was actually getting annoyed by it instead of just my family or whatever, you know, |
| 1:36.4 | where I just like, oh, whatever. And so I was like, it was over lockdown. And it was sort of |
| 1:41.3 | an explosion of mental health, especially ADHD. |
| 1:45.6 | And so I was like, oh, maybe it's this. Maybe I can pin it to this. |
| 1:50.0 | And I did, I was in the barbers and I did like an online test and it was just through the roof. |
| 1:55.0 | Yeah. And I did it again with my mum and she found it hilarious because it was basically just ticking off. |
... |
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