Joe Swash has revealed that a recent disastrous holiday with his wife Stacey Solomon and their children made him realize his ADHD has 'taken a grip' on him. The actor, 44, shared a candid clip on social media on Tuesday, admitting he is 'not managing' his condition.
Medication Pause and Realization
Joe explained to fans that he has not taken medication for a year, but the drama-filled family holiday prompted him to reassess his situation. He has now booked an appointment with his GP. In the clip, he said: 'Everybody has been asking me about my ADHD, where I'm at in my journey. I feel like we've touched upon it in series one of mine and Stacey's show. And I was on the journey of starting to find the right medication. I have stopped taking the medication for the last year. Now, in hindsight, I know it's a bad idea. So I'm sort of going to start the journey again from scratch. I've got a meeting with my doctor. And the ADHD doctor as well.'
Holiday Triggers
Joe noted that the busier he gets, the more overwhelmed he feels. He described what triggered his decision to review his diagnosis: 'Let me tell you what has triggered all of this was recently me and the family went on holiday. Within the first three days... the first one was a terrible error. I left Stacey's suitcase at home with all of Stacey's holiday clothes, so we flew out on holiday, we got to the airport and her bag didn't arrive. We worked out I didn't put it in the taxi. I left my iPad on the plane, missed the flight home, all within the space of four days, so... I feel like the ADHD has taken a bit more of a grip, and it's sort of creeping back into my life again, and I'm not managing it well. So, this time around, I want to try and do it properly, find the right balance of medication, speak to the right people. But as well as that, I'll let you know how. And what's working and what's not working.'
Previous Struggles
During their BBC series last year, Joe emotionally said he feels like a 'problem' in wife Stacey's 'perfect' life due to his ADHD. Stacey booked a therapy session at the Henry Centre in Westcliff, Essex, to help support Joe following his diagnosis. In a conversation with counsellor Natalie Corbett, Stacey said: 'I understand Joe's frustration, because he is putting a lot of effort in. Like, I would say "Joe I really need help with this, this, and this. I'm really struggling." And Joe hears that and he wants to support me but he'll do other things that aren't the stuff I'm asking him. He gets frustrated because he has worked hard and he has put the effort in. But you haven't done the things I'm directly asking you for. So I've still got to manage those on my own. You're a great dad and an amazing person, but sometimes I don't think you take into consideration all the fires I've got to put out everywhere.'
Looking defeated, Joe replied: 'I don't even know what to say. It's so frustrating, when all I feel like I'm doing is trying to dedicate myself to my family and do everything I possibly can, every minute of the day. And then to sit here and listen to the fact that I'm a huge problem...' Therapist Natalie asked: 'But nobody is saying that. Is that what you hear?' Joe interrupted: 'All that I'm hearing is that I'm this huge problem in Stacey's perfect life. That's all I'm hearing. I don't hear no positive stuff about me as a person.' Stacey responded: 'I would say this is our biggest issue in our whole relationship. Is that I cannot say anything without you taking it so personally, as an attack on you as a whole person.' Joe said: 'All I ever do is I try and do for my family. So when I hear that, that's not what's coming across. That's frustrating for me.' Stacey clarified: 'You're hearing something that's not being said. I have caveated almost everything I've said with a positive, Joe. It's about us working together to manage this situation. That's what I'm here for. I'm not here to change you. I'm here to support who we are.'
