Emma shares her ADHD story

Emma wants to share her ADHD story so that other women feel understood.

Facing criminal charges

Unfortunately, Emma found herself at Exeter Crown and County Court where an usher introduced her to Ben, our Coordinator.

She believes that her ADHD has led to many difficult encounters over the years. Above all, she wants to use her lived experience to help others understand the effects of ADHD and childhood trauma. This is why Emma wants to share her ADHD story and use this experience to help other women to understand their behaviour.

Lack of support for mental health

Throughout her life, Emma feels she has been let down. Certainly, the lack of support for her mental health was frustrating for Emma.

Nothing had worked

Emma had six mental health referrals and limited counselling on the NHS. When she was finally rejected by a key service, Emma knew that she was at the end of the road. Nothing had worked. Everyone said she was too complicated. Private therapy would be the only option, but she just couldn’t afford £100 for two sessions a month – it would consume half of her PIP allowance.

Trauma

She knew she needed support:

Trauma doesn’t vanish. It sits there. We learn how to carry it. I don’t have the neat answer for how I’ve kept going. I did it in my own head, alone, and I’m still doing it.

Court

In 2024, Emma lost her temper and stormed out of court. Coordinator Ben followed her out and listened. She calmed down and started to trust Ben. She knew her family was at risk now that this was in the public domain and other families were involved.

Low point

Emma was at such a low point. For the next two weeks, she just sat in her conservatory trying to work out what to do.

Emma’s family needed her

She knew this was a crisis. Her family needed her. There were many needs within the family. On top of this, she was committed to supporting a care leaver through rehabilitation. If she fell, her loved ones would fall with her.

Our children are my light. They do not know the full weight of what I have carried, but they feel the love I pour into them. I keep going. For them. For me.

Emma was determined to find a way forward.

Emma’s breakthrough

Emma had a breakthrough. Furthermore, she knew that she needed to work this out for herself. It was now down to her.

Two weeks alone

Emma spent two weeks alone in a hut in the middle of nowhere. Throughout this time, she recorded her experiences into her phone as a journal. As a result, she started to make sense of her life.

Turning point

This was the turning point. In the end, no one else was going to help – it was up to her to move towards a more settled life. As a result, this is Emma’s mantra for everyone:

It’s down to you.

Medication

With the right medication for ADHD, Emma now feels stable and strong. The CASS+ team worked with probation to explain the complexities of Emma’s situation. Her case went to trial, but the judge could see the change in her. And now, with the community sentence behind her, she can focus on a more stable future.

Support at court

Emma explains here:

‘I’ve been blown away by all the support at Exeter Crown and County Court – from the judge to security and from probation to CASS+. Everyone showed genuine kindness. I could not have got through the trial without my solicitor who made every effort to understand, without judgement. I went through the first hearing alone and without any support. It was dreadful. But this time, I felt so strong with the solicitor and Ben by my side.

Trauma and ADHD

Unfortunately, many health professionals gave me the wrong diagnosis. Each time, I was given a new label and viewed as a safety risk. There isn’t enough understanding about trauma and ADHD. I should have had more support. I want to use this experience to help other women in the same situation. On top of this, I hope to raise awareness with health professionals by sharing my story.’

By sharing my story, I want other women to feel understood.

Hopes for the future

Emma is a qualified nurse and has worked in adult and child mental health. And now, she wants to use her knowledge and experience to support other women facing the criminal justice system. In particular, she wants to use her lived experience to help others understand the effects of ADHD and childhood trauma.