Dr Alex George has described his autism diagnosis as a 'huge relief', revealing that it helped him understand himself better after years of struggling. The former Love Island star, now 35, was diagnosed with ADHD in 2022, OCD in October 2025, and autism earlier this year after paying for a private assessment.
Diagnosis Brings Relief and Understanding
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Dr Alex said: 'I think the goal in life is to be able to totally accept yourself.' He admitted that growing up without understanding his conditions caused 'distress'. Now, with his diagnoses, he feels a sense of relief and acceptance.
However, he criticised the separate assessment processes for ADHD and autism, calling it 'totally wrong'. Statistics show that 30 to 80 per cent of people with autism also have ADHD, and up to 50 per cent of those with ADHD meet the criteria for autism. 'It's like saying if you have a heart condition, you're 50 per cent likely to have a lung condition and not scanning the lungs,' he said.
Frustration Over Late Diagnosis
While his autism diagnosis brought relief, his ADHD diagnosis left him feeling frustrated and angry that issues weren't picked up sooner. 'With autism, it was much more relief, acceptance,' he explained. Now, people understand him better when he comes across as blunt or struggles with last-minute changes.
Currently, NHS neurodivergent diagnoses can take between six months and five years. Through the Right to Choose system, it takes two to 12 months. 'It's the system that needs to bend for the young people, not the young people bending for the system,' Dr Alex stated.
Mental Health Struggles and Recovery
Two years ago, Dr Alex contemplated taking his life. A run and a phone call with a friend saved him. 'That was a difficult day,' he recalled. His OCD drove him to a 'terrible spiral' where he lost insight. After his run, he called his best friend Paul, got an emergency appointment with his psychiatrist, and spoke to Paul for hours every night for months.
'When you're in the darkness, it's very hard to see light; it's hard to imagine a day when you feel better,' he said. 'You can feel absolutely awful and still get better.'
Gut Health and Travel Tips
Dr Alex has teamed up with Bioglan for their In Bioglan Balance series. He emphasised the gut-brain connection, noting that travel can disrupt gut health due to lack of movement, dehydration, and changes in meal times. 'It's not just your brain that gets jet lag; you get a microbiota or microbiome gut jet lag as well,' he said.
He takes supplements including Omega 3, magnesium, ashwagandha, fibre, Vitamin D, and multivitamins. 'Remember, supplements are supposed to be supplementary; most of your stuff should come from your diet,' he advised.
If you're struggling, the Samaritans operate a free helpline 24/7 on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.
