WTF is AuDHD? E52 | Misdiagnosis in your 20s to late diagnosis in your 40s - with AuDHDer Jen
Feb 2, 2026
A late diagnosis story spanning misdiagnoses in the 20s to clarity in the 40s, and how autistic burnout collided with perimenopause. Tales of masking through academic success while basic tasks remained hard. Nuanced takes on empathy, social misunderstandings, processing differences, and learning accountability. The grounding role of two therapeutic dogs and a message of hope and self-compassion.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Check Local GP ADHD Access
- In New Zealand some GPs and nurse practitioners can now diagnose ADHD after specialised training, increasing access to assessment.
- Call your GP to check eligibility and whether they offer the required longer appointments.
Misdiagnosis Through Adulthood
- Jen was misdiagnosed across her 20s with depression, anxiety and bipolar II before autism/ADHD were recognised for her needs.
- Her academic success hid years of autistic burnout that culminated in a dramatic breakdown in her 40s.
Achievement Masks Hidden Burnout
- High achievement can mask neurodivergence and lead clinicians to miss the underlying cause of struggle.
- Jen reframes past depressive episodes as repeated autistic burnout episodes once she understood her diagnosis.