2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Matt Jackson)
Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha was diagnosed with a condition shared with 2.6 million Brits after her children noticed a number of symptoms. Nadia, 60, was diagnosed with ADHD in 2022.
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition that leaves people struggling to do things like sitting still or concentrating. The NHS says people with the condition can find themselves feeling inattentive, restless, or easily distracted. People with the condition often find themselves making impulsive decisions.
READ MORE: Adding little-known food to diet cuts inflammation within two weeks READ MORE: Gut doctor says eating four common fruits could reduce cancer risk Nadia says her children noticed a number of signs that led to her ADHD diagnosis. Nadia made the revelation when fellow Loose Women star Kaye Adams asked if her children had “observed” any behaviours of her that were typical of the condition. Speaking on Loose Women: The Podcast, Nadia replied: “Total chaos, could spend three hours clearing the place up, then turn around and it’s like, ‘How did that happen? It’s all upside down’, and my kids will often sit at the breakfast bar when I’m cooking and go, ‘oh but you were going to do that’, but I go over here, then I go over here, like that.
“Not being able to listen intently, that was really difficult for them. They’d say, ‘Mum, I feel like you’re not properly listening’, because I can’t sit for too long, I’ll get up and go off and do something halfway through their talking. “So I’ll be listening but I’ll be doing something else.
I’m compelled to do that, I can’t sit still.” Nadia admits she cried when doctors first said she had ADHD. She admitted they were initially tears of relief, although she did have mixed feelings about having the condition.
She continued: “[I was] happy and sad. When I first got the diagnosis I cried with relief. “I remember when they told me about it, they thought I was crying because I was upset, and I was trying to tell them that I was so relieved there was some reason for these things.
” Nadia explained she was briefly “sad” afterwards but says the medics convinced her she was a “great success” and shouldn’t see herself as a “failure”. She added: “Now, all these years on, I love my ADHD brain, I don’t reject it, I’m not angry about it.” Fellow Loose Women star Denise Welch was diagnosed with ADHD in January 2023.
Nadia admits the pair have a sense of understanding towards each other because of the condition. When asked if she has seen any improvements in her life after the diagnosis, she replied: “I can listen better, I don’t miss the middle bit because my brain has gone off. “Denise has spoken about having ADHD and the story is they knew there were two Loose Women who were ADHD and they guessed me and Denise.
You’ll see that with Denise and we know it with each other, I know what’s going on, if you’re not ADHD then you don’t understand it.” What are the symptoms of ADHD? According to the NHS , adults with ADHD can often find themselves having high energy levels and feeling compulsive. Symptoms can include: Being unable to sit still or fidgeting constantly.
Being unable to concentrate on tasks, especially when seated or in quiet situations. Acting without thinking, such as speaking at inappropriate times, interrupting, or shouting out answers. Having little or no sense of danger.
Being unable to wait their turn or impatience. Constantly moving or feeling restless. Talking excessively.
If you believe you are experiencing ADHD symptoms and it is impacting your day-to-day life, the NHS advises booking an appointment with your GP..
