about me

Hey, I’m Carly! I’m nearly forty, I live in Leeds with my gorgeous fiance Oliver and our two crazy labradors Gary and Helga and I love food!

In July 2021 I started my journey after a couple of friends suggested I may have ADHD. I was diagnosed in September and by November 2021 I was medicated.

At first life was great, but it wasn’t long before the dose I was on wasn’t giving me the same boost and I was quickly moved to the full dose of Elvanse (Lisdexamfetamine).

Although life was better, the list of side effects I was struggling with was increasing steadily. These side effects included:

  • Overheating

  • Night sweats

  • Excessive talking

  • Excessive skin picking

  • Dry mouth

  • Trouble getting to sleep

  • Poor quality sleep

  • Mouth ulcers (from running my tongue across my teeth, continuously, all day)

Also, if I didn’t take my meds I had really bad withdrawal symptoms, such as:

  • Extreme tiredness

  • Extreme restlessness

  • Nausea

  • Feeling very depressed

  • Feeling very anxious

  • Continued trouble sleeping

Fast forward to October 2023 and it was announced there was a shortage of most ADHD medications. These disruptions were predicted to continue into April 2024….

I was panicking and without my meds I was starting to really struggle and felt only a few steps away from a complete spiral.

In December 2023 I started coaching with Joseph Pack (ADHD coach and founder of Drug Free ADHD). He introduced me to the Drug Free ADHD Method, which looks at a more holistic way of managing ADHD utilising things such as cold water therapy, meditation and breathwork.

Although I had originally told Joe I didn’t want to come off medication, I just wanted to learn some strategies for whilst I was unable to get my meds, since 22nd February 2024 I have been ADHD medication free.

“Cold water changed my life…”

The biggest impact of the Drug Free Method for me, was definitely the cold water. I’ll tell anyone who will listen how it has completely changed my life.

I decided to become an ADHD coach so I can share the Drug Free Method with as many people as possible and show them that there are lots of alternatives to medication for managing ADHD.

ADHD can absolutely be managed in a holistic way.

In addition to coaching I decided to complete my Cold Water Therapy Practitioner certification to allow me to actually add cold water therapy into my coaching sessions (for those who choose in person coaching). It also means I’m able to take individuals and groups wild swimming, which is one of my most favourite things to do.