05/11/2026
Hi, for those who dont know me im Paul a Volunteer Support Facilitator at BDx.
For those with ADHD, don't go just yet. I know you were about to. 😉
I just thought I'd introduce myself to prove Lisa doesn't have an imaginary mate called Paul and in fact, I'm a real boy. 🤣 I’m a Mental Health Nurse with ADHD and a background in emergency mental health care. I bring both professional experience and lived experience to Beyond Diagnosis, with particular interests in ADHD, physical health, wellbeing and helping people find practical ways forward.
After taking a year out from nursing im slowly working my way back but I needed something to help me along the way and back to doing something I loved, I was given this opportunity and took it with both hands because it is something I'm very passionate about. I'm also doing farming and working towards a teaching degree, thats for another time. 🤣
While working in the background I've discovered tips and other ways to help myself and hopefully others. Obviously using the ADHD superpower of hyperfocus we've created a support and coaching plan with our own BDx Toolbox for ways to use ADHD as an advantage and not be a hindrance. To also have away with the name " Coping strategies " and turn them into positive steps instead.
-So here is my story of how I ended up where I am today-
I got into mental health after many failed career choices and businesses ideas, not because I'd ran out of options, but because it felt like I'd finally found something that not only interested me, but also gave me a sense of pride.
From leaving school till I started my mental career journey, I've had more jobs or ventures than I could probably remember. Everything from machine operator, warehouseman to being a trainee as a joiner, plumber, plasterer, ducter, I might have even tried my hand at brick laying, really wouldn't surprise me.
I was never very academic and would struggle at school, I would always say I wanted to be a truck driver, knowing I couldn't till I was at least 21. By the way, I did become a truck driver and was up until I started my mental health journey.
I also became a personal trainer after losing weight and getting fit, eventually running 3 marathons, 3 years in a row. I enjoyed being able to help the ones that were struggling because I'd been there, and many eventually confessed they're history of mental health struggles and I felt great pride when I was informed how much I had helped them gain confidence, and helped with their own journey. This led me to start a role as a support worker, I left a £30k+ a year truck driving position for £17k a year support worker role because I knew it was what I was meant to do. While I was employed the managers encouraged me to do my nurse training, and although I was put off due to my time at school, I decided to go for it (At this point I'm still undiagnosed with ADHD).
For a long time I felt something wasn't right with me, I went to the GP and was prescribed sertraline and for roughly 6 years I fluctuated doses, and even reaching maximum dose, but I still felt the same. I slowly weaned off the sertraline and still felt exactly the same as that first day I walked in the GP surgery. Many of the nurses I worked with recognised the ADHD, but I was blind to it, and thankfully encouraged me to go for an assessment. The rest is history..
Now I am diagnosed with ADHD and medicated, my life has changed and for the better.
Symptoms don't just go away, its about how you deal with them, the strategies and positive steps you can make, if I had more support then things could have been easier. Apart from being late for everything, that's just something I have to deal with. 🤣
