SAM Thompson shot to fame on Made In Chelsea, as the cheeky and likable brother of original cast member Louise Thompson.
But behind his bubbly personality, the I’m A Celebrity star was battling ADHD – which went undiagnosed for many years.
At the age of 30, Sam Thompson was diagnosed with two neurological conditions, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and autism.
The TV star then chronicled his journey to get answers in a Channel 4 documentary, Sam Thompson: Is This ADHD?.
Speaking on the doc about why he eventually decided to get tested, Sam explained how he always felt different.
Opening up, he said: “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.”
On the documentary Sam revealed how he was labelled “lazy” and a “bad student”.
However, he said that following his diagnosis, he felt “a weight lifted off my shoulders.”
Sam later told Metro just how debilitating his conditions have made his life.
He revealed: “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.
“I’ll get sent parking tickets, and then I’ll feel overwhelmed at the process of paying them so then I get further fines.
“It’s terrifying. I get really panicky. It feels like the world is ending. I spiral out of control.”
Sam Thompson: Is This ADHD? saw the TV star open up about issues he had struggled with since childhood, which eventually saw him get tested for ADHD as an adult.
The documentary gave exclusive access to Sam’s life, which included self-shot video diaries,
It was released on May 8, 2023, and can be watched now on the Channel 4 streaming service.
Sam has the full support of girlfriend Zara McDermott.
Speaking on the doc, he said: “Even booking a flight can be hard because the second another tab pops up, I get overwhelmed. The wheels fall off, and Zara will have to step in to do it. I’m aware that I find things hard that other people find easy.”
Continuing to sing Zara‘s praises, he has credited her with helping him adjust to life post diagnosis.
“I’m so grateful to Zara for being on the documentary, putting herself out there, being present and honest. The diagnosis has 100% strengthened us.”
Zara has also spoken about her support for her boyfriend.
Speaking on the Channel 4 doc, she said she always thought Sam had ADHD.
Talking to her boyfriend, she said: “I started picking up on things that you struggle with, like forgetfulness and losing things a lot.
“You never finish anything. You’re jumping from thing to thing, and then you’re overwhelmed.”
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be categorised into two types of behavioural problems – inattentiveness and hyperactivity.
The NHS reveals that the symptoms in adults and kids are…
