Helen George Shares ADHD Diagnosis Journey
Call The Midwife actress Helen George has publicly revealed her diagnosis with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), describing the moment of realization as a profound "lightbulb moment" that changed her understanding of herself. The actress, best known for her role in the long-running BBC drama, explained that she received her diagnosis approximately three-and-a-half years ago, following the birth of her second child.
The Revelation That Changed Everything
George detailed how her understanding of ADHD transformed during a conversation with a male friend who also lives with the condition. "He was telling me all this, and then I suddenly went, 'Oh s***, just like me. It's like the lightbulb moment that I needed," she recalled during her appearance on the I'm ADHD! No You're Not podcast. Her friend had been discussing how women with ADHD often receive diagnoses later in life, particularly after becoming mothers, which resonated deeply with George's own experience.
The actress, who has been part of Call The Midwife since its 2012 premiere, admitted she had never previously considered that she might have ADHD. "I just thought I'm an actress and everyone's bats*** crazy," she confessed, adding that many actors likely have ADHD because the condition provides certain skills beneficial to performing arts.
Managing Symptoms Through Medication
George now takes medication to help manage her ADHD symptoms, which she believes allows her to function more effectively. "I don't think this world provides the necessary support that we need," she explained. "So therefore, whilst it doesn't, I would like to take medication to see if that aids me. And if the world drastically changed overnight, then I would reconsider."
According to the NHS, ADHD involves differences in brain function that can affect:
- Concentration and attention span
- Energy levels and hyperactivity
- Impulse control and decision-making
George emphasized that her primary motivation for managing her condition is to be the best possible mother to her children. "I've got to work out how you can function best so that you can mother best, so that their lives can be the best that they can be," she told podcast hosts comedian Paul Whitehouse and neuroscience specialist Dr. Mine Conkbayir.
Continuing the Learning Process
The actress, who also competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, acknowledged that she's still discovering what approaches work best for her in managing ADHD. She described this ongoing process as creating positive ripples in her family's life without becoming self-indulgent. George's openness about her diagnosis adds to growing conversations about neurodiversity and mental health awareness, particularly regarding how ADHD manifests differently in women and how diagnoses often occur later in life compared to men.
