SAM THOMPSON says not a day goes by when he isn't stopped in the street by someone thanking him for talking out about ADHD.
The TV personality and former Made In Chelsea star revealed last year he'd been diagnosed with the condition, going on to film Channel 4 documentary, Is This ADHD?
"It's always a kid, or a mum or a dad with a kid, which I think is so awesome, and they'll say, 'My kid looks up to you - they love the fact they've got ADHD or they're neurodiverse, thank you so much, and it's so cool," says Sam, 31, who describes getting diagnosed as a "weight" being lifted.
"I never thought that was going to be the case. I've never had anyone look up to me before." ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which can affect people's behaviour and tends to cause difficulty with things like concentration, time management and impulse control) is usually noticeable in childhood. But recently, there's been growing awareness of the fact many people don't get diagnosed until later in life.
Sam adds: "I think ADHD is a superpower, I really, really do. So, I really hope and want people to view it that way and not be ashamed. I'm glad I've got it." After struggling with anxiety in his youth, he believes openness is what's helped him understand his own mental health better.
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