SAM Thompson shot to fame on Made In Chelsea, as the cheeky and likable brother of original cast member Louise Thompson.
But behind his bubbly personality, the I'm A Celebrity star was battling ADHD – which went undiagnosed for many years.
What has Sam Thompson said about his ADHD and autism diagnosis?
At the age of 30, Sam Thompson was diagnosed with two neurological conditions,ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and autism.
The TV star then chronicled his journey to get answers in a Channel 4 documentary, Sam Thompson: Is This ADHD?.
Speaking on the doc about why he eventually decided to get tested, Sam explained how he always felt different.
Opening up, he said: “I’ve always known there was something slightly different about me, but it’s only since I’ve started to ‘adult’ a bit more that I’ve wanted to figure it out, because a lot of symptoms were getting worse."
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On the documentary Sam revealed how he was labelled "lazy" and a "bad student".
However, he said that following his diagnosis, he felt "a weight lifted off my shoulders."
Sam later told Metro just how debilitating his conditions have made his life.
He revealed:"It wasn’t one bad day but more an accumulation of things. I misplace things.
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"I’m quite bad at messaging my friends back. I turn up late to events. I’m a fully grown adult, but I struggle with paying the bills.
"I’ll get sent parking tickets, and then I’ll feel overwhelmed at the process of paying them so then I get further fines.
"It’s terrifying. I get really panicky. It feels like the world is ending. I spiral out of control."
When did Sam Thompson's documentary on ADHD come out?
Sam Thompson: Is This ADHD? saw the TV star open up about issues he had struggled with since childhood, which eventually saw him get tested for ADHD as an adult.
The documentary gave exclusive access to Sam’s life, which included self-shot video diaries,
It was released on May 8, 2023, and can be watched now on the Channel 4 streaming service.
What has Zara McDermott said about Sam Thompson's diagnosis?
Sam has the full support of girlfriend Zara McDermott.
Speaking on the doc, he said: "Even booking a flight can be hard because the second another tab pops up, I get overwhelmed. The wheels fall off, and Zara will have to step in to do it. I’m aware that I find things hard that other people find easy."
Continuing to sing Zara's praises, he has credited her with helping him adjust to life post diagnosis.
“I’m so grateful to Zara for being on the documentary, putting herself out there, being present and honest. The diagnosis has 100% strengthened us."
Zara has also spoken about her support for her boyfriend.
Speaking on the Channel 4 doc, she said she always thought Sam had ADHD.
Talking to her boyfriend, she said: "I started picking up on things that you struggle with, like forgetfulness and losing things a lot.
"You never finish anything. You're jumping from thing to thing, and then you're overwhelmed."
What are the symptoms of ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be categorised into two types of behavioural problems – inattentiveness and hyperactivity.
The NHS reveals that the symptoms in adults and kids are…
- Inattentiveness
- having a short attention span and being easily distracted
- making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork
- appearing forgetful or losing things
- being unable to stick at tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
- appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
- constantly changing activity or task
- having difficulty organising tasks
- Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
- being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
- constantly fidgeting
- being unable to concentrate on tasks
- excessive physical movement
- excessive talking
- acting without thinking
- interrupting conversations
- little or no sense of danger
- mood swings, irritability and a quick temper
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