Adam Thomas has been flooded with messages of support after revealing he has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The Waterloo Road star shared the news in a video on his Instagram account, following his earlier public discussions about his arthritis diagnosis.
Arthritis Diagnosis Journey
The Manchester-born actor was diagnosed with arthritis at the age of 34, shortly before his stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. He has said his symptoms began with his knees before spreading to his wrists, fingers, and now ankles and toes. The rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis came after several blood tests and visits to doctors and hospitals.
Adam later stated that his diagnosis had changed to psoriatic arthritis, which the NHS describes as a "long-term condition that causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness." Since sharing his diagnosis, he has continued to document the highs and lows of his health journey online, recently celebrating personal progress as he worked towards a goal he had set himself to transform his mind and body.
Sharing the ADHD Diagnosis
In the video, the former Emmerdale star said: "I just went to come on here really and just share my experience since being diagnosed with ADHD. I got diagnosed a couple of weeks ago, and I've just started my medication. I think I'm on my second week now, and it feels good."
He added: "It feels really good. I just feel like I've got so much more clarity, and I feel a lot more, you know, in the moment and present, which I'm not really used to. Normally, I'd have, like, a thousand thoughts running through my head, all at the same time, and be really loud, and, you know, sometimes I find myself just getting overwhelmed with it all, quite a lot, and since been on the medication, I've just noticed that, I mean, don't get me wrong, I've still got thoughts, but they're just a lot quieter now, and there's not as many."
He continued: "It just feels incredible. I feel like it's just given me peace of mind, and I'm just able to be myself in a weird way, as crazy as that sounds. But I mean, the only way that I can describe it is, for me, I'm just normally so up here all the time, so erratic, and here, there, and everywhere, where, since being on the medication, I'm just a lot more chill, a lot more subdued, and it feels great 'cause I don't feel the need to have to be up there all the time."
He noted that friends and family have been asking if he is okay because they are not used to him being calmer, adding: "I'm only two weeks in now, but so far, so good."
Fan Support and Awareness
In the caption of his post, Adam wrote: "I've recently been diagnosed with ADHD through the amazing team at @pallmallmedical, and if I'm being honest, it's been a bit of an eye opener! For so long, there have been things about myself that I've never really understood. The way my brain works, the million thoughts going through my head, the constant need to be doing something and sometimes feeling like I'm going a hundred miles an hour but getting nowhere! Haha But getting this diagnosis has helped me understand myself that little bit better."
He thanked Pall Mall for making the process easy and said he is still learning and has "a long way to go," but is excited to see where the journey takes him. Fans responded with supportive messages, with one writing: "Just remember it doesn't change who you are. You are amazing, a beautiful soul. The world needs more people like you," and another adding: "So glad you have answers to how you have been feeling, onwards and upwards to a better understanding."
