Megan Schutt on ADHD, medication and what's changed since her diagnosis

The fire in Megan Schutt's belly has driven her to unbelievable heights.

World Cup titles, Commonwealth Games gold, more than 300 wickets across all formats, and 14 years at the top of the game.

An intimidating swing bowler, the 33-year-old has built a successful career on being an aggressive competitor. She is passionate and motivated by an "I'll show you" energy.

That fiery part of her personality comes in handy when on the cricket field, but less so off it.

Since receiving an ADHD diagnosis last year, Schutt has unlocked new insights about herself. The unique ways her brain works and rational explanations for her reactions.

"Cricket has been a great regulator for me," Schutt told ABC Sport.

"I've always been able to control myself on the field and then I'd come off and blow my fuse at spilling a cup of coke or something, so that was a real sign.

"Everything kind of clicked and made sense.

"I was quick to anger as a kid and never understood why that happened when I had a great childhood, happy parents.

"To be able to get my emotions in check has been a big change."

Beyond the rage, Schutt is learning to go easier on herself.

"I set really high standards in a lot of areas and am realising they probably aren't achievable," she said.

"I'm getting older and the body wakes up sorer, so I've got to rest more.

"I find that hard, I feel guilty for it, I feel lazy.

"It's made me realise I need to not be so quick to judge myself or feel ashamed."

Seeing real change

Since she started taking ADHD medication, Schutt's Aussie teammates reckon she's more friendly.

"Darcie Brown and Georgia Wareham tell me that I'm a much nicer person when I'm on meds," she said.

"They do make it easier to bat — I no longer have 1,400 shot selections in my head, of which I can only play three anyways — but other than that, I don't think my cricket has changed."

As an elite athlete regularly tested by anti-doping organisations, Schutt requires permission to take her medication with a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) from her doctor and psychologist.

It's a strict process that must be reviewed every 12 months or when her dose changes.

Having that clearance is vital, yet it doesn't bring Schutt complete peace of mind.

Two weeks ago, she was handed a two-match ban for failing to adhere to requirements around the use of prescription medication.

This meant she missed the third T20 International against New Zealand and the opening match of the Women's Big Bash for the Adelaide Strikers.

Schutt returned to play on Thursday at Drummoyne Oval against the Brisbane Heat.

This interview was conducted in September, before the error, and there has been no indication whether the suspension is linked to Schutt's ADHD medication.

In a statement, a Cricket Australia spokesperson said:

"The circumstances of the breach are confidential, but Megan has expressed remorse and is aware of her obligations in this area."

"You do stress," Schutt said.

"I've been drug-tested a few times and I'm like, what if the TUE is inactive or we got our dosing wrong.

"I think you're targeted more being on amphetamines," she said.

Schutt believes the fear of accidentally testing positive for a prohibited substance could put others in her position off medicating.

"Some of the younger players won't take cold and flu," she said.

"You can't even have a protein shake from a cafe in case something is added to the powder.

"If someone cooks you something in their house and it's not approved, you could be done for.

"You've got to think twice, or it could be the end of your career."

As much as Schutt understands the importance of the process, she also gets frustrated about the extra hoops she has to jump through to take essential medicine to function.

"At the end of the day, you are told a thousand times you are responsible for what you put in your body, but accidents happen," she said.

"What I struggle with is, if you have ADHD, it is obviously no longer a stimulant. I get a little bit angry about needing a TUE in the first place."

Navigating co-parenting and travel

Schutt has a five-year-old daughter, Rylee, with ex-wife Jess.

The pair separated last year and have been adjusting to co-parenting while navigating Rylee's autism and ADHD.

As her daughter started treatment, Schutt recognised her own triggers, which in turn led to her diagnosis.

It's been a tricky balance managing Rylee's appointments while playing professionally.

As a member of the national team, there is a lot of travel involved, and Cricket Australia's parental policies allow children and a carer to come along.

Unfortunately, that hasn't been a viable option for Rylee.

"We had a lot of therapies back in the day — physio, OT, speech, dietitian — and there was no way I was going to pull her out of those routines just to have her on tour," Schutt said.

"It would have been too unsettling.

"It was easier for me to miss them, which was a hard one to wrap my head around because it's not what you picture when you have a child.

"Up until a year ago she preferred being held by myself or Jess anyway, so it really just made it impossible to bring her."

The marriage separation has also presented challenges to travel as Rylee has gotten older and potentially more ready, with it harder to bring along a designated carer.

There are also health and safety regulations that have got in the way.

"The system is not really set up for a single parent to take their kid, so it has been quite frustrating," Schutt said.

"I think the sport could maybe be a little more relaxed and aware of individual situations rather than having blanket rules for everyone."

Going out on a high

This has contributed to Schutt's decision to retire from ICC tournaments, going out on a high at the T20 World Cup as part of the wider squad that won the July final at Lord's.

Schutt is still making an impact in the ODI format and was named Player of the Series against Bangladesh last month for taking 10 wickets overall and best figures of 4/16.

However, she's been in and out of the T20I team and hasn't played a Test since 2019.

"I've missed so much of Rylee's life and she's at an age where she can communicate that sadness and it hurts.

"At the back end of the World Cup she said, 'You're never coming back.'

"Every single session of FaceTime would be her asking, 'Are you on the plane yet?'

"It got to a point where me being away was doing more harm than good."

"The guilt is too much and spending more time on the bench makes me question why I'm away.

"Coming home to Adelaide brings a tear to my eye now. It's a realisation of where I want to be."