5 Signs You're A High-Masking Autistic With ADHD (AuDHD Expert Explains)

Dr Khurram is a world-renowned, award-winning psychiatrist and the author of Explaining AuDHD. In this episode, he explains what AuDHD (Autism + ADHD) really feels like beyond the diagnostic labels, why so many people spend years masking their traits, and the emotional cost of living without understanding themselves. We explore the hidden signs of AuDHD, why so many people feel broken, misunderstood, and lonely, how an AuDHD diagnosis can transform relationships and identity, and what it truly takes to stop masking and start thriving. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 01:43 The AuDHD contradiction nobody talks about 04:14 What people with AuDHD are terrified of being judged for 06:29 The AuDHD assessment Dr Khurram will never forget 07:37 What almost every AuDHD adult blames themselves for 08:32 Why so many people with AuDHD think they're a bad friend 10:01 The hidden danger of never finding your AuDHD tribe 10:34 Why masking AuDHD is so exhausting 13:43 The most heartbreaking part of living with AuDHD 16:22 Why loneliness feels different with AuDHD 19:10 Why partners often misunderstand AuDHD 22:07 Tiimo advert 23:59 5 hidden signs you're masking AuDHD 25:03 How an AuDHD diagnosis changes relationships 30:13 The moment you realise your whole life was masking 34:45 What AuDHD burnout really feels like 36:45 The true cost of never unmasking AuDHD 39:08 Stop fighting your AuDHD brain 40:56 Why so many people with AuDHD believe they're broken 45:07 If you were diagnosed late, you need to hear this 45:42 The hardest part of living with AuDHD 47:10 A letter to my younger self Dr Khurram on LinkedIn 👉 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dr-khurram-sadiq Dr Khurram’s book 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Explaining-AuDHD-Guide-Autism-ADHD/dp/1804369489 Dr Khurram on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/fomosapien666/?hl=en Book to see Dr Khurram in clinic: For an ADHD assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/adhd-treatment-options/in-person-adhd-assessment/ For an Autism assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/autism/in-person-autism-assessment/ For a combined ADHD and autism assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/autism/in-person-combined-autism-adhd-assessment/ Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817 Order Alex’s latest book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e Producer: Timon Woodward Recorded by: Hamlin Studios Trailer editor: Ryan Faber DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Dr. Khurram SadiqguestAlex Partridgehost

Jul 6, 202647mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: July 6, 2026
Duration: 47m
Channel: ADHD Chatter Podcast
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Dr Khurram is a world-renowned, award-winning psychiatrist and the author of Explaining AuDHD. In this episode, he explains what AuDHD (Autism + ADHD) really feels like beyond the diagnostic labels, why so many people spend years masking their traits, and the emotional cost of living without understanding themselves. We explore the hidden signs of AuDHD, why so many people feel broken, misunderstood, and lonely, how an AuDHD diagnosis can transform relationships and identity, and what it truly takes to stop masking and start thriving. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 01:43 The AuDHD contradiction nobody talks about 04:14 What people with AuDHD are terrified of being judged for 06:29 The AuDHD assessment Dr Khurram will never forget 07:37 What almost every AuDHD adult blames themselves for 08:32 Why so many people with AuDHD think they're a bad friend 10:01 The hidden danger of never finding your AuDHD tribe 10:34 Why masking AuDHD is so exhausting 13:43 The most heartbreaking part of living with AuDHD 16:22 Why loneliness feels different with AuDHD 19:10 Why partners often misunderstand AuDHD 22:07 Tiimo advert 23:59 5 hidden signs you're masking AuDHD 25:03 How an AuDHD diagnosis changes relationships 30:13 The moment you realise your whole life was masking 34:45 What AuDHD burnout really feels like 36:45 The true cost of never unmasking AuDHD 39:08 Stop fighting your AuDHD brain 40:56 Why so many people with AuDHD believe they're broken 45:07 If you were diagnosed late, you need to hear this 45:42 The hardest part of living with AuDHD 47:10 A letter to my younger self Dr Khurram on LinkedIn 👉 https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dr-khurram-sadiq Dr Khurram’s book 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Explaining-AuDHD-Guide-Autism-ADHD/dp/1804369489 Dr Khurram on Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/fomosapien666/?hl=en Book to see Dr Khurram in clinic: For an ADHD assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/adhd-treatment-options/in-person-adhd-assessment/ For an Autism assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/autism/in-person-autism-assessment/ For a combined ADHD and autism assessment 👉 https://adhdhealthclinic.co.uk/autism/in-person-combined-autism-adhd-assessment/ Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817 Order Alex’s latest book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e Producer: Timon Woodward Recorded by: Hamlin Studios Trailer editor: Ryan Faber DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

SPEAKERS

Dr. Khurram Sadiq
guest
Clinician and AuDHD expert who discusses autism/ADHD masking, assessment, and related mental health impacts.
Alex Partridge
host
Host of ADHD Chatter who interviews experts, runs audience segments, and reads sponsor/housekeeping portions of the show.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of ADHD Chatter Podcast, featuring Dr. Khurram Sadiq and Alex Partridge, 5 Signs You're A High-Masking Autistic With ADHD (AuDHD Expert Explains) explores understanding high-masking AuDHD: identity, relationships, tribe, burnout, recovery pathways AuDHD is framed as an intertwined, distinct neurobiology—not simply “autism + ADHD”—creating internal contradictions like craving connection while avoiding it.

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