Sam Thompson, known for his role on Made In Chelsea, has recently opened up about his long-standing battle with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Despite his bubbly personality, Thompson struggled with undiagnosed ADHD for many years.
Sam Thompson’s Journey to Diagnosis
At the age of 30, Thompson received a diagnosis of ADHD and autism, two neurological conditions. He shared his journey in a Channel 4 documentary titled “Sam Thompson: Is This ADHD?”.
Thompson expressed his desire to figure out what made him different, stating, “I’ve always known there was something slightly different about me, but it’s only since I’ve started to ‘adult’ a bit more that I’ve wanted to figure it out, because a lot of symptoms were getting worse.”
The documentary shed light on how Thompson had been labeled as lazy and a bad student in the past. However, after his diagnosis, he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.
The Impact of ADHD on Thompson’s Life
Thompson spoke candidly about the debilitating effects of ADHD and autism on his daily life. He shared, “It wasn’t one bad day but more an accumulation of things. I misplace things. I’m quite bad at messaging my friends back. I turn up late to events. I’m a fully grown adult, but I struggle with paying the bills.”
He further explained the overwhelming feeling he experiences when faced with tasks such as paying parking tickets. Thompson described it as terrifying and mentioned feeling like the world is ending, often spiraling out of control.
The Documentary Release and Zara McDermott‘s Support
The documentary, “Sam Thompson: Is This ADHD?”, was released on May 8, 2023, and is available for streaming on the Channel 4 platform.
Thompson’s girlfriend, Zara McDermott, has been a pillar of support throughout his journey. She has witnessed firsthand the challenges Thompson faces and has helped him adjust to life post-diagnosis. McDermott’s unwavering support has strengthened their relationship.
McDermott herself suspected that Thompson had ADHD, noticing his struggles with forgetfulness, losing things frequently, and difficulty finishing tasks. She expressed her admiration for Thompson’s openness and vulnerability in the documentary.
