Jessie J has shared that she was recently diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Yesterday (July 20), the singer revealed that she received the diagnosis three months ago, after becoming a mother last year had further “exposed” her symptoms.
Writing on Instagram, she shared that the news was “comforting in a way, as it made it feel less heavy and scary,” but that she has often felt she couldn’t talk about it publicly.
“It’s weird when you know you have been a little different and felt things differently your whole life, and finally one day when you least expect it, someone really explains why and you can’t avoid it,” she wrote. “ADHD has such a wide spectrum it’s like a mystery putting your version of it together, that’s how it’s felt for me.”
She continued: “In really understanding ways to cope, excel and grow with it. [To be honest], I low-key feel like it’s a superpower as long as you look at it from the right perspective and have the right support and people around you that can navigate it with you.”
Jessie J. Credit: Leon Bennett/Getty Images
ADHD is a condition that affects people’s behaviour and concentration and can make people seem restless or impulsive, according to the NHS website.
The health service also defines OCD as a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours that can interfere with their life.
Jessie J shared that, though the diagnosis has been difficult, she’s decided the way forward is “embracing” it.
“It’s made me rethink about my whole life. The way I’ve been, the way I deal with things. The relationships I have had. How I work and how I love,” she said. “It’s empowered me and honestly sometimes has overwhelmed me all at the same time.”
The ‘Price Tag’ singer said that sharing the news on social media has allowed her to “relate, connect and heal with strangers that have kind hearts and are going through a similar thing.”
“It has made me love myself even more. I’m hugging 11-year-old me. Who would clean her trainers with a toothbrush when she was stressed and, to this day, has lived with 1000 lists to not feel like life will crumble,” she said.
“Here’s to getting to know yourself even more through life. And loving yourself all the way. Nothing in life defines us, but it helps us grow and become a more wholesome version of ourselves.”
Other well-known figures who have made their ADHD diagnosis public include Slowthai, Cara Delevigne, Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy and Yungblud.
Last year, Lily Allen also revealed she had been diagnosed with ADHD. In an interview with The Times, she said that the diagnosis caused her to completely quit using social media – “As soon as I look at it, it can be hours of my day gone,” she said.
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