28 November 2023 , 17:43
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Actor Ryan Clayton says he is finally officially a 'member of the ADHD club' after years of waiting for a diagnosis.
The former Coronation Street star who is currently appearing on Waterloo Road star, 30, posted an emotional Instagram message and told fans about a difficult few years. Talking his followers through his Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder journey, he says getting clarity has lifted a weight off his shoulders.
ADHD is a neurological disorder that typically causes difficulty focusing and impulsive or erratic behaviour. The condition affects roughly one in 50 adults in the UK. ADHD UK says that the condition often lasts into adulthood, but: "symptoms might look different at older ages - for example, in adults, hyperactivity may appear as extreme restlessness or wearing others out with their activity".
Ryan Clayton shared the news with his social media followers (Instagram/rclayton_92)Ryan - who played Josh Tucker on the Street until 2020 - has always wanted answers and has refused to give up, explained why he chased down doctors. He said: "Well, after 2 an half years of realising you don’t ‘grow out’ of ADHD, just because you’re not hyperactive in the way you were as a kid, and 29 years later, I’m an official member of club ADHD.
"I ain’t here giving it a pity post, look I have a fully abled body, I’m fortunate enough to work in a creative environment right now, and I am of course aware ADHD isn’t as extreme as some of the other neurodivergent conditions but I can tell you it’s lot more than being fidgety and it shouldn’t be underestimated either, it can be a real fucker for you up there at times too. Particularly when you don’t know!
"As brilliant as it is to have that official diagnoses, get that clarity and now be in a position where I feel I can openly talk about it without having the stigma of being ‘another self diagnosed ADHD’er’ because “everyone’s got it now”, in the 2 years it took to get diagnosed, despite initial confusions and frustrations, I’ve had an acceptance and a much better understanding for my mind works for sometime now.
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"So for anyone on that journey, whether you’re just realising or on the waiting list, or you’re a friend, Partner or family member trying to understand it (and they won’t stop going on about it) I don’t believe that anyone is worse off for knowing (undiagnosed or diagnosed)"
Ryan revealed he has joined the cast of Waterloo Road earlier this year, playing a policeman called Mike in the reboot of the hit TV series. He posted a picture of his dressing room door with the name “Mike on it” following his part if the ITV soaps’ most controversial storylines back in 2018 and his rape of David Platt.