Frankie Bridge has revealed she has been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) after encouragement from her Loose Women colleague Denise Welch. The former The Saturdays singer described the diagnosis as the "last missing piece" in understanding her mental health struggles.
Diagnosis After Colleague's Support
Speaking on her latest YouTube vlog, the 36-year-old mother of two said: "I found out today that I've got ADHD. Denise was like, 'I got diagnosed with ADHD and it's completely changed my life – my depression and my anxiety is so much better.' She was like, 'Let me put you in touch with [a specialist]. You can just see!' I was a bit like, 'Yeah, I mean, I could be!'"
Frankie, who shares sons Parker and Carter with former footballer Wayne Bridge, had been open about her battles with depression and anxiety. She admitted to feeling conflicted about the diagnosis but ultimately found relief. "Part of me is like, what a relief, because it does make sense to me," she said.
Understanding the Diagnosis
During the consultation, Frankie initially doubted whether ADHD would resonate with her. "When I went on the call, I was not sure if this was going to really resonate with me. But by the end of it, I was like, 'F***, it really does!' It's kind of reassuring. Not that it makes excuses for it, but I can hopefully try and feel less guilt because I'm such a perfectionist, and all that is part of it."
She added: "Hopefully this is the last missing piece that is going to help. They do say with a lot of women, we're not diagnosed 'til we're a lot older, and by then, you've already dealt with depression and anxiety for a really long time."
Previous Ketamine Therapy
Earlier this year, Frankie discussed undergoing ketamine therapy to treat her depression. In an emotional YouTube vlog, she said: "I had my follow-up appointment yesterday and I'm not fixed. I need these ket appointments to keep me on track. I had a moment yesterday where I was saying to my therapist how I am grateful I can have them but a part of me is disappointed that I still need it because some people, they don't ever need it again."
Frankie's openness about her mental health journey has resonated with many fans, and her latest revelation about ADHD sheds further light on the complexities of mental health treatment.
