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Business Standard
12 hours ago
- Health
- Business Standard
How undiagnosed ADHD raises addiction risk, especially in women
You might know someone who fell into the trap of addiction without any of the typical warning signs. According to experts, in many cases, the underlying cause is something they have lived with unknowingly: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Often mistaken as a childhood-only condition, ADHD can persist into adulthood and, when left undiagnosed, it increases the risk of substance abuse. 'This hidden link is more common than we realise and understanding it can be the key to life-changing interventions,' said Dr Astik Joshi, child, adolescent and forensic psychiatrist at Fortis Hospital, New Delhi. What is the connection between ADHD and substance use disorders? People with ADHD are naturally more prone to novelty-seeking behaviours and impulsivity—two key traits that make them vulnerable to substance abuse. According to Dr Joshi, when ADHD is undiagnosed or untreated, individuals often struggle to manage daily life, leading them to experiment with substances as a quick coping mechanism. Unfortunately, this can spiral into full-blown addiction. Why is ADHD often underdiagnosed in adults, especially in women? ADHD often goes unnoticed in adults because its symptoms in grown-ups, particularly women, are not always obvious. 'Women may not display classic hyperactivity. Their symptoms are often more complex and internal, such as emotional dysregulation or inattentiveness,' explains Dr Joshi. Because these signs are subtle, many women end up self-medicating with substances to cope with daily challenges without realising they are living with undiagnosed ADHD. How does undiagnosed ADHD increase the risk of substance misuse? According to Dr Joshi, the brain chemistry of someone with untreated ADHD plays a big role. Poor impulse control, difficulty making rational decisions, emotional instability and a tendency toward risk-taking behaviours are all common, he said. These neurological and psychological factors make substances appealing as a form of immediate relief or thrill. 'It's like a perfect storm,' says Dr Joshi. Without diagnosis or treatment, the risk of falling into substance misuse grows significantly. Can school or workplace failures linked to ADHD push people toward addiction? Constant failures at school or work can lead to a dangerous cycle of low self-esteem and helplessness. Dr Joshi notes that many people with undiagnosed ADHD feel defeated by their inability to meet expectations. This often drives them to seek temporary escapes, and substances become an unhealthy coping mechanism. Over time, this escape can turn into addiction, especially when combined with impulsivity and poor emotional regulation. How does ADHD treatment help support addiction recovery? Treating ADHD can be a game-changer in breaking the addiction cycle. 'When ADHD is properly diagnosed and treated with the right medications, it can significantly reduce substance cravings and improve emotional regulation,' Dr Joshi points out. Addressing the root cause—ADHD—can help people manage their behaviours more effectively and lower their dependence on substances as a coping tool.

Refinery29
3 days ago
- Health
- Refinery29
5 Women On The Reality Of ADHD Medication
'When the medication kicked in that first day, maybe an hour or so after taking it, it was like finally being at peace,' remembers Kerry*, 35, who started taking medication around a year ago following a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neurological condition that impacts a person's ability to function due to inattention, hyperactivity and difficulty focusing. Not everyone who takes the medication has such an instant reaction, in fact, many find it takes weeks or months to get to this point, but this is what many hope the medication will do for them. 'It's like a manual radio. That white noise you would get when you're in between stations and then finally the clarity when you tune in. My brain was entirely white noise, so many racing thoughts I couldn't hear a thing. Then when I took the medication I could hear,' says Kerry. 'But also I just felt happy and positive, which I was not expecting. As someone who had spent 10 years taking anti-depressants this was incredible.' She now no longer takes them, and thinks she was misdiagnosed with depression. Getting on medication is a common course of action following an ADHD diagnosis. There has been a seven-fold increase in adults diagnosed with ADHD in recent years, with attention called to the rise in women being diagnosed specifically partly due to greater awareness of the condition. That rise in numbers has contributed (among other things) to a global shortage of medication. As scary as taking medication can feel, many adults find it life changing under the supervision of a GP who will monitor the dosage until it's working optimally. UK charity, ADHD Adult, explains that after a diagnosis if you choose to be treated with medication, you will go through a process called titration. On their website, they said that 'your blood pressure, heart rate, weight and any benefits and side effects that you notice from the medication should be monitored carefully'. This is to check how well you're tolerating medication and how effective it is. 'In general, adults with ADHD are usually started on a low dose of lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate and this dose will gradually be increased,' they added. Other treatment options, if a person doesn't want medication, include therapy and lifestyle changes like exercise. In the U.S., the process is similar, but with some different medicines available, like Aderall. Treating ADHD is complex, says Dr Deborah Lee of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy. 'Many different drugs are used, all of which alter the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain,' she says, which is why the titration process under doctor guidance is so important. 'The drugs used to treat ADHD all have different duration of action. Some of the stimulant drugs are short-acting, with a duration of action of three to five hours. Some stimulants are long-acting, which are effective for eight hours. Other stimulants last for 12 hours,' Lee adds. The possible side effects include loss of appetite, weight loss, anxiety, nausea, vomiting and insomnia. Refinery29 spoke to five women about their journeys with ADHD medication — the pros, the cons, the stress of the ongoing global national shortage, and the effect it's had on their day-to-day functioning. *Name has been withheld to protect identity. Lucy*, 28, Folkestone I have been on Elvanse for about two and a half years now, following my ADHD diagnosis six months ago. It took about six months to get up to the dosage that works. (During that time, there was a medication shortage and I had to stop taking it for two months. I was anxious that I'd stop doing well at work, but my boss was incredibly supportive and understanding). The first week I took it, I suddenly realised that I knew where my keys were when I was about to leave the house and started sobbing with joy and relief. Perhaps that sounds like a small thing, but I hadn't had that before, no matter what systems I'd put in place. It had led to consistent stress, and made leaving the house feel like a trial every day. Medication hasn't "cured" my ADHD. I still struggle with some aspects of organisation (my email inbox isn't pretty) but overall, I feel like life is easier to handle now. I don't have a looming sense of dread that I've forgotten something. However, my sleep is worse. I sleep less, and struggle to fall asleep. It's something I have accepted as the trade off. I take breaks from my medication at least one day of the weekend, usually on a day I think I might have a few drinks, as you're not meant to drink whilst taking it. That allows me to catch up on my sleep, too. The medication can make my body feel like it's highly anxious, even if that's not a reflection of my emotional state. With therapy, I've got better at identifying the difference between the two. I confessed to a friend just before starting medication that I was concerned it would "kill my sparkle." What if my ADHD traits were what made me interesting? What if my creativity was dependent on being unmedicated? What if my individuality suffered? That hasn't been the case. I'm still very sparkly. I'm just sparkly in a way that lets me get things done. Medication has allowed me to be much more accepting towards myself. Whilst in the past, I've seen my ADHD symptoms as character failings and weakness of will, I can now see that I was just dealing with different brain chemistry. Florence*, 28, London The national medication shortage has affected me. I've waited since August 2024 for my medication, and received them at the end of May 2025. I have been on medication for about four weeks now, so I am doing titration which is where they gradually increase the dose. I am currently at 54mg up from 18mg. I'm feeling the most side effects on this higher dosage and am still navigating it. I think I may switch brands as I am not feeling the beneficial effects of it in terms of concentration and focus, which everyone talks about. The main side effects I'm dealing with are a complete loss of appetite on the days I take the medication and also being unable to sleep on the higher dosage. I am now trialling taking them much earlier in the morning to see if this will help with the sleeping situation. My day-to-day function is still fine but again I'm still finding it hard to focus at work. I have also had some spells of anxiety as well which I think are the effects of the medication, so I am trying to navigate this as well. This could be because my brain is clearer, so I am feeling those types of feelings more than before, but I am not 100% sure. Kerry*, 35, London I have such a vivid memory of the first day I took my medication (Elvanse), about a year ago. It was like the first day of my new life. That day I did more cleaning and organising than I'd done in years, as well as putting everything on my Vinted pile actually onto Vinted. I had a pretty smooth journey with the medication. I started at 20mg and slowly worked up to 50mg. At first sleep was a bit of an issue and I had random muscle pains, but that's due to the fact the medication is a stimulant. The most obvious and consistent side effect was dry mouth, but this just meant I drank buckets of water and didn't crave coffee or tea so that helped. I also didn't have a massive drop off when the medication wore off which helped a lot. Some people feel that quite dramatically. In total the titration period for me was around three months. I was very cynical about taking meds, was concerned about the lack of research for long term use, and the lack of understanding around how the menstrual cycle interacts with the medication. The worst bit was no caffeine (including decaf coffee or tea) and no booze. It was hard to imagine life without oat flat whites and G&Ts. However, my psychiatrist (who I had to pay to see privately) gently encouraged me to give it a go since there was nothing to lose. I kept a diary at first to help keep track of how I was finding it. The medication shortage is an ongoing challenge. My prescriptions are on a month by month basis, and most of the time pharmacies do not have it in stock. A couple of times I have gone with the prescription only to be told it's not possible to even order in. I had to call around every Boots in London one Saturday. I get a little anxious every month when it's prescription time. I absolutely did not understand how much ADHD was affecting my life before I took this medication. Work is so much easier and I can access that 'deep work' state. My productivity is better, I'll actually book the dentist appointment that I need. Even with my relationships, I'd often put my phone on flight mode all day because it was just too much. In hindsight I'm so proud of myself for getting through life to this point. Nina*, 38, London I've been on ADHD medication for five years. Despite paying privately for a diagnosis, I found the titration process incredibly slow and frustrating: the system is set up to diagnose, not to support. The first medication I tried massively exacerbated my anxiety, which was alarming. Eventually I switched to Concerta, which worked far better. Later, I had to adjust again to a shorter-acting medication to suit my unpredictable work schedule. That shift, facilitated through my GP, turned out to be the most effective fit for me. Medication has completely changed the game for me. I run a small business, wear many hats, and work in a high-pressure environment. It's like my brain finally has a 'focus' button. I can sit down and do the boring but necessary admin that keeps everything running. For the first time, I understood what people meant when they said their brain was 'quiet.' I thought that was a myth. ADHD medication isn't a magic fix, but it's a tool that has made the rest of my toolkit usable. The frustrating part is how hard you have to fight to get access to something that, quite literally, just lets you live your life. If I'd received this kind of support at school, I wonder how different my path might have been, not just in terms of achievement, but also in how kindly I might have treated myself along the way. I have had a battle with my GP's office, though. For the last two years, the pharmacist insisted on only prescribing two weeks' worth of medication at a time. As someone with ADHD, keeping up with that administrative cycle has practically been a full-time job and has often left me with no medication for weeks at a time while I wait for them to prescribe. They finally admitted they'd made a mistake and I was meant to be given a month's supply all along, but even after that admission, I've now been waiting three weeks for the corrected prescription to materialise. The hardest part isn't the medication, it's navigating a rigid system that makes you jump through hoops because no one will read their own instructions or actually listen to you when you're pointing out their errors. And the only person carrying the burden — the time, the energy, the admin, the stress — is you. Jane*, 23, London I've been on and off medication for about three years, mainly due to the shortage. I had to fight to get my prescription back. I also wasn't on it for a few months while struggling to get my prescription transferred after moving from Cornwall to London. That transition was a big challenge and took a serious toll on my mental health and ability to function in daily life, as I didn't have them for a while. Starting the medication was the biggest blessing, yet also the saddest experience I've had. I take Elvanse, and the process of finding the right dose and brand in Cornwall went smoothly. I started with 30mg, and after each review, my dose was increased until I reached 70mg. However, 70mg turned out to be too much for me, so I went back down to 60mg, which I preferred and stayed on. I was at university when I first started taking it. I was really struggling to keep up with the workload, and the tablets were a godsend. They helped me so much with completing assignments. I honestly don't think I could've made it through university without them. For the first time in my life, I was able to manage normal, everyday tasks without a constant struggle. It was also the first time I experienced quiet in my own brain. That realisation was peaceful yet sad, it made me fully aware of how much I had been struggling all along. If I didn't have to take the medication, I wouldn't, because it affects my personality. I like being slightly loud and weird, but when I take it, I feel a bit dull and boring. If that's what being neurotypical feels like every day, I'm honestly glad I have ADHD. That said, the medication helps me massively with everyday tasks, especially at work. Ironically, as a freelance artist without strict deadlines or a boss, I find it extremely hard to work on the project when I'm not on my medication, so I am thankful to have it. However, when I don't take the medication consistently, or when it starts wearing off in the evening, I do get a feeling of numbnesses or sadness. The anxiety and racing thoughts come back in full force, and I don't feel like doing anything other than just sitting there, but this doesn't happen if I take the tablets consistently.


ITV News
4 days ago
- Health
- ITV News
Bereaved parents of 'kind' teenager Matthew Lock warn of ADHD and suicide links
ITV Granada Reports' correspondent Rob Smith has been speaking the parents of Matthew Lock. The family of a teenager who took his own life say it "kills them everyday" that they did not understand his "busy mind", as they issue a stark warning about the increased risks of addiction and suicide connected to ADHD. The parents of 19-year-old Matthew Lock say their son was an "incredible individual" who "wanted to make a change", but he struggled with the symptoms of his diagnosis before his death in 2023. They say Matthew, who appeared on ITV's This Morning as a technology reviewer, used alcohol and ketamine to try to ease his ADHD symptoms because medication did not agree with him. Richard and Christine Lock believe ADHD caused Matthew, who also had autism, to make an "impulsive" decision to take his own life, because he was "unable to regulate his emotions at certain times". "We know Matthew's decision was an impulse," Christine said. "We know he would want us to help stop others from making impulsive acts, causing devastation to families." What is ADHD and what are the symptoms? ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Around 1 in 20 children are estimated to be impacted by ADHD globally and, according to the NHS, symptoms of usually start before the age of 12. They involve a person's ability to pay attention to things, having high energy levels, and their ability to control their impulses. A child or young person may show signs of being inattentive, such as: being easily distracted finding it hard to listen to what people are saying or to follow instructions forgetting everyday tasks, like brushing their teeth or putting on socks They may show signs of being hyperactive and impulsive, including: having high energy levels fidgeting or tapping their hands and feet talking noisily feeling restless, or getting up and moving around when they're supposed to sit still finding it hard to wait their turn, or interrupting conversations His parents believe his death is directly linked to ADHD and are now part of an NHS task force trying to speed up diagnosis, improve treatment and raise awareness of its potential route to addiction and mental illness. The task force is also looking to improve NHS data and analyses on ADHD services, map out who provides ADHD services and how they are commissioned locally, and improving the way services are delivered. "It's very important that we make those changes in Matthew's name", Richard said. "ADHD can be an absolute superpower. They can think outside the box and be so creative. "We saw that superpower from Matthew, but the other side started to take over. That's the bit we didn't know about and that's what kills us everyday." Matthew's parents say they regret not understanding ADHD in more depth before their son's death and have urged other parents in a similar position to know the signs. Christine added: "It's the head full of thoughts and busy mind that you can't calm. I think going out and drinking did calm him. "It's understanding. Once you understand the ADHD brain, it's a fantastic. But if it's not understood it can cause problems." Speaking in March 2024, when the task force was announced, NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard said: "We have recognised that that more needs to be done to ensure people can get a timely diagnosis and importantly, that all of their needs are addressed. "This is a vital first step in helping us achieve real improvements in the ADHD services that the NHS and the independent sector provides.' Matthew's parents have also setup their own ADHD charity, dedicated to "education and raising awareness" as well as trying to ensure people are diagnosed and treated earlier in their lives.


Daily Record
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Doctor shares five signs of ADHD - and they're 'often missed'
A doctor has shared the signs he often sees in people with ADHD, and explained that they are "often missed" A doctor has highlighted the signs he frequently observes in people suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The expert suggests these signs are "often missed", which can lead to ADHD being undiagnosed or unnoticed. Dr Ali Ajaz, a consultant psychiatrist, regularly imparts information and guidance to his over 94.6k followers on TikTok. In a recent video, he outlined five symptoms that could potentially indicate someone has ADHD. ADHD is a behavioural condition. According to the NHS, individuals with ADHD may appear restless, struggle with concentration and act impulsively. ADHD symptoms usually become apparent at a young age and can become more noticeable when a child's circumstances alter, such as starting school. Occasionally, ADHD may not be identified during childhood, resulting in a diagnosis later in adulthood. A recent video from Dr Ajaz was captioned: "Five common signs of ADHD that are often missed!" In the clip, the doctor said: "Five signs of ADHD that most people miss. Hi, I'm Doctor Ali Ajaz consultant psychiatrist and it's my day job to help people with ADHD thrive. "First up, we have time blindness. People with ADHD often struggle to estimate just how long things take, leading to chronic lateness or underestimating tasks. It's not laziness, it's more biological." He added: "Second is emotional reactivity. ADHD just isn't about focus, it's about feeling everything intensely, small frustrations can lead to big emotional outbursts that feel impossible to control in the moment. "Third is mental restlessness. Even if someone looks calm on the outside, the brain might be racing non stop, jumping from thought to thought. It's exhausting and it's invisible." The doctor said the fourth sign is 'interest-based attention.' He said: "Now ADHD brains don't struggle with attention across the board, they struggle more when things aren't stimulating, like the more mundane things in life. But when something is interesting, total hyper-focus is a big risk." The fifth sign, according to Dr Ajaz, is chronic procrastination. He added: "It's not about poor discipline, it's difficulty starting tasks without a dopamine hit. The brain resists even simple things until the last minute panic kicks in." Signs of ADHD in adults According to NHS guidance, identifying ADHD symptoms in adults presents more of a challenge. While the core symptoms—namely inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness—are similar across ages, their impact on adults will diverge significantly from their effects on children. For instance, adults may experience less overt hyperactivity but maintain difficulties with inattention as the complexities of adult life escalate. Symptoms tend to be considerably subtler when compared to those noticed in children. Experts have proposed this list of symptoms indicative of ADHD in adults: inability to deal with stress carelessness and lack of attention to detail taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal safety or the safety of others – for example, driving dangerously poor organisational skills inability to focus or prioritise blurting out responses and often interrupting others forgetfulness extreme impatience difficulty keeping quiet, and speaking out of turn continually losing or misplacing things mood swings, irritability and a quick temper continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones restlessness and edginess


Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
How embracing your unique story can lead to the most profound and transformative change
Seasoned professionals, budding entrepreneurs, career switchers and lifelong learners – when it comes to the MBA, one of the oldest and best-known professional masters degrees, there is no one-size-fits all student or reason for signing up. The joke goes, how do you know if someone has an MBA? They will tell you about it. But in fact, MBAs are far from an homogenous bunch. Some seek to climb the corporate ladder, others crave the challenge of mastering new skills, and many are driven by a desire to transform their businesses or pivot into entirely new industries. This rich diversity of participants and experience is one of the things that makes the MBA experience so dynamic and uniquely rewarding, and the path to growth is as varied as the individuals who walk it. Along the way people uncover unexpected insights, forge meaningful connections, and develop strengths they never anticipated. We share three experiences here that show how embracing your unique story can lead to the most profound and transformative change. Caroline Bixby: Overcoming ADHD 'I wanted to do it for myself' Already established in her career as a successful HR director, a late diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in her early 50s put Caroline Bixby on a surprising new path. Later this year, she will cross the stage, the proud recipient of a Global MBA degree from Henley Business School, an international business school with campuses in the UK, Europe and Johannesburg. It will be a particular triumph, because she'd been told her whole life that she didn't have what it took to study at this level. 'I'd always been told that I was not academic, that I didn't have what it took to be successful at university – and I believed that,' she says. She knew she was different, sure. It had always been hard for her to fit in and meet the expectations of others. But she was desperate to shine and be good at what she did – 'who isn't?' she says. So she worked twice as hard to get ahead and get ahead she did. Rising rapidly through the ranks of HR to director level. But a lack of confidence continued to gnaw at her self-esteem, playing havoc in ways that she didn't realise at the time. 'I'd excel, but the amount of focus and time I had to devote to make this happen meant that I became burnt out and made mistakes along the way.' All this changed when she got the ADHD diagnosis. Suddenly, it all made sense: the 'scatter-gun decision making', her ability to see patterns in complex data where others couldn't, her cool-headedness in a crisis, the energy she brings to a room. They were all just part of who she was. This knowledge gave her the confidence to apply for the Global MBA, a prestigious international degree with five international study immersions around the world, because she had an inkling that it would open doors to learning that she'd long thought out of reach. 'I was at a stage in my career where I didn't feel like I needed an MBA to prove myself; I just really wanted to do it for myself,' she says. Now, almost two years in, the process has helped her recognise her unique strengths. ADHD is not just part of who she is, it's her superpower. As a neurodivergent leader in the C-suite, she brings a unique perspective and valuable talents that others can only dream of. And on the flip side, she doesn't have to have all the answers herself. 'For the areas that I'm really rubbish at, others can fill in,' she says. 'We're not all experts at the same thing, after all. When you think of it, it would be pretty bland if we were!' This is now translating back into how she leads. With a new role as Chief People Officer at Christie Group plc, her focus is on bringing people along on the journey with the company, giving them more agency and enabling them to do the things that they need to do to be effective. 'It is only when we know who we truly are within a diverse group of colleagues who value each other's differences that we can truly make our fullest contribution to the world.' Sanele Gumede: 'Once I realised that development of the self extends beyond academic achievement, I was able to find my purpose.' Sometimes, the real reason behind pursuing an MBA only becomes clear once you're deep in the journey. For Sanele Gumede, a series of reflective exercises during his Flexible MBA at Henley Business School led to a surprising discovery. 'I wanted to do an MBA to have the right qualification and be on the same NQF level as my colleagues,' he explains. 'My undergraduate degree was in programming, but I was working in banking as a manager and my counterparts had CAs, master's degrees and the like, and I felt the need to upskill.' He was drawn to Henley because it offers a 'family-friendly' MBA, one that allows a person to find a balance between the various elements of their life. 'For me this speaks to the wheel of life, a visual tool that was introduced to us in the Personal Development module, that helps you assess and understand balance and fulfilment in various areas.' Gumede says the personal development (PD) modules were the highlight of his degree. 'In the first PD module we did the iceberg exercise – where you consider an iceberg in relation to yourself. The part of the iceberg you see above the waterline – the so-called tip of the iceberg – is what is initially apparent to others. But it is when you do a deep dive into those things that exist below the waterline – characteristics that are not apparent to others – that you come to understand yourself more holistically.' He says the exercise helped him to see that his decision to do the MBA had less to do with a desire to be promoted at work, and more to do with his need to fit in. 'My (self) diagnosis was that I was suffering from imposter syndrome, but once I realised that development of the self extends beyond academic achievement, I was able to find my purpose.' Ayanda Thabethe: 'I felt the need to build my business acumen' For others, the MBA is not so much about credentials but about mastering the art of building a business that lasts, one that's rooted in sustainability rather than fleeting success. Ayanda Thabethe, who is perhaps more widely known as a South African social media influencer with 2,3 million followers, model, and successful MC and a TV personality – think Top Billing, BET A-list and Celebrity Game Night – is also an entrepreneur. And it is in that role that she had an eye firmly focused on building a future in business, when she found her way to Henley and an MBA degree. 'Back in the day I did a marketing management degree, and an honours in marketing, but when the time came to register at Henley I hadn't studied for 11 years and, I'm not going to lie, I was a bit nervous. Now, I can scarcely believe that I am going to graduate in September,' says Thabethe. The idea of picking up the books again came to Thabethe when she and her sister were launching their beauty business, Quick Face, initially in collaboration with Mr Price. She was prompted by wanting the business to succeed, as well as a need to challenge herself academically once again. 'I felt the need to build my business acumen; I wanted to meet likeminded entrepreneurs, individuals who are doing different things in their spheres. I also wanted to find out how to run a business that is sustainable, not one that is launched one day and vanishes the next.' Thabethe gave Henley the green light because of the school's credibility and the flexible nature of the course. 'As an entrepreneur your time is your money, and I couldn't have my business affairs grind to a halt because I was studying,' she says. 'And as the mother of two little boys – aged two and one – I have responsibilities on the home front that can't be ignored, nor can they simply be moved down on my list of priorities.' With graduation finally on the horizon, she has no regrets, saying that she is grateful to the school for a positive and supportive experience. 'I started my degree in 2021, so it's taken me four years to finish. The reason being that I had both my children during this time. At no point did Henley put me under pressure to finish my course at a time when it was literally an impossibility,' she says. 'The entire experience has been so positive and so rewarding. At each stage of the programme, I received overwhelming support from the school. I will always be grateful to Henley for facilitating me as I grew my little family while pursuing the MBA, both of which are hugely important personal goals.' DM