Australian actress Rebecca Gibney, best known for her role in 'Packed to the Rafters,' has announced she is stepping away from social media. This decision comes just one week after she publicly revealed her diagnosis with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism at the age of 61.
Gibney's Candid Social Media Post
Taking to Instagram on Friday, the 61-year-old star shared a heartfelt message with her followers. She explained that she is taking a 'wee break from all things SM' to reclaim her time and focus on what truly matters.
'I've been spending way too much time staring at my phone looking at either bad news, products I don't want, snippets from peoples lives that I don't know, and apart from the funnies - which we all need - I'm finding it all a waste of very precious time,' Gibney wrote.
She emphasised her need to reconnect with her immediate surroundings and loved ones, stating, 'I have stopped fully living in the present and I need to reconnect with my hubby, my dogs and myself.'
Addressing Backlash and Sharing Her Story
While expressing gratitude for the supportive responses to her diagnosis announcement, Gibney also confronted the negative comments she received. She directly addressed critics who told her to 'get over it,' dismissed her condition by saying 'it's not cancer,' or accused her of 'jumping on the bandwagon.'
'If you don't know the full story of someone's life - please don't make assumptions or fire off petty comments,' she warned.
Gibney shared poignant details about her personal struggles, revealing, 'I have lived most of my life misdiagnosed with severe anxiety (45 years of it). I was raised in a home with extreme domestic violence and I have suffered depression, so to tell someone to 'get over it' is really not helpful.'
She explained her motivation for being open about her diagnosis, saying, 'I share my story so that it may encourage others who might be struggling to know they are not alone.'
The Emotional Journey of Diagnosis
Late last month, Gibney first disclosed her ADHD and autism diagnosis in an interview with The Australian Women's Weekly. She described the process as emotionally challenging, admitting, 'It's been hard. It's been very emotional. I've cried a lot more in the last few months than I've cried in a long time.'
The 'Millionaire Hot Seat' host discovered her condition while speaking to a psychologist after facing difficulties following her appearance on 'Dancing With The Stars' earlier this year.
'I'm still coming to terms with it because it's answered a lot of questions from my past - my panic attacks, my years of masking, which started obviously at a very early age,' Gibney confessed. 'Masking' refers to when individuals with ADHD or autism conceal their natural behaviours to fit in socially.
A Double-Edged Sword
Gibney revealed that her diagnosis has been somewhat of a double-edged sword. While it has helped her better understand lifelong struggles with shyness, anxiety, and panic attacks, it has also prompted feelings of grief and disappointment.
'There's that slight mourning - gosh, if I'd known this 40, 50 years ago, would I have gone through all the stuff that I went through?' she reflected. 'Maybe it would have made my high school years easier because, you know, I did have a lot of mental health struggles.'
Part of a Growing Trend
Rebecca Gibney joins a growing number of Australian celebrities receiving ADHD and autism diagnoses later in life. This group includes Mamamia co-founder Mia Freeman, diagnosed at 49, actress Sigrid Thornton at 65, media personality Em Rusciano at 43, and feminist author Clementine Ford at 41.
Understanding ADHD and Autism
ADHD is a behavioural condition characterised by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Autism affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, behaves, and processes information, and is considered a spectrum disorder due to varying severity among individuals.
While symptoms typically appear in childhood, adult diagnoses are becoming more common, though research in this area remains limited. There is no cure for either condition, but management typically involves a combination of medication and therapy to relieve symptoms and improve daily functioning.
Outpouring of Support
Gibney's social media announcement was met with overwhelming support from followers and fellow celebrities. Singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte wrote, 'Babe you are the biggest shining light and it's because of your vulnerability that allows other including myself to feel ok to share too.'
Media personality Melissa Hoyer added, 'Look after YOU - sending love, love & more love.'
Gibney concluded her post on a hopeful and personal note: 'So if you need me I'll be by a river somewhere, walking the dogs, planting veggies with my hubby and talking to the trees. Be kind to yourselves and others. And I'll see you soon. Ish.'
Her message was accompanied by a photo of her two dogs and footage of a serene lake, visually reinforcing her commitment to stepping away from digital distractions and embracing nature and personal connections.
