Actress Helen George, best known for her role in the BBC drama Call the Midwife, has disclosed that she was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) approximately three-and-a-half years ago, following the birth of her second child.
The 40-year-old star shared the news on the podcast I'm ADHD! No You're Not, describing a 'lightbulb moment' during a conversation with a male friend who has the condition. He discussed how women often receive diagnoses later in life after becoming mothers, prompting George to realise she shared similar traits.
George admitted she had never previously considered having ADHD, attributing her earlier lack of awareness to the nature of her profession. 'I just thought I'm an actress and everyone's bats**t crazy,' she said, adding that many actors have the condition because it provides skills needed for the job.
The actress, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, confirmed she now takes medication to manage her symptoms. She explained that while she would prefer a world with more support, medication currently helps her function. 'I've got to work out how you can function best so that you can mother best,' she said.
The fifth series of the podcast, hosted by comedian Paul Whitehouse and neuroscience specialist Dr Mine Conkbayir, launches on Thursday, with new episodes available weekly at 6am on all podcast platforms.
