12 January 2023 , 10:46
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Johnny Vegas has opened up about his recent diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The comedian appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss how he figured out he had the condition before Christmas, and was diagnosed at 52-years-old.
ADHD can include symptoms such as being restless and having trouble concentrating. Johnny explained that for him the disorder manifests in losing his filter and focus for certain activities.
“It’s that sense of disorganisation and doing basic tasks,” he said, “Everybody has an element of it. It’s how strong your filter is, I think.
Johnny Vegas has opened up about his recent ADHD diagnosis (PA)“When you don’t have a filter at all, very simple things become very time consuming," he continued.
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"It’s like, [I’ll say] I’ll shift that cup, and then you have 10 other ideas and you haven’t shifted that cup, and then three weeks later that cup’s still there and somebody’s like, why haven’t you shifted that, and it’s become this monumental task and it’s built up.”
Johnny said that the diagnosis has helped him understand his brain and “answers a lot of questions about behavioural issues” he has, but he won’t let define his whole sense of self.
The comedian said his agent suggested he chat to his GP to see if he had the disorder (BBC)He continued: “It’s just, I suppose, how your brain organises itself. I always knew I was disorganised … but [the diagnosis] helps make sense of a lot of things at school. I’m just on the verge of learning about it.”
Johnny revealed that he believes it has “made me who I am” and even suggested that his ADHD has made him a better comedian.
“In some respects you can go back and look at it with regret, but I’ve had a bit of a charmed life, so it’s no regrets,” he said.
Johnny said it won't define him, but it has helped him understand his behaviour (BBC)“I know now and it helps you make changes, I suppose, as you want to get more responsible later in life. I don’t see it as defining me.”
He also revealed that his agent – who also represents Sue Perkins who was diagnosed with the condition recently too – suggested that he take the test.
It follows a string of other celebrities opening up about their ADHD diagnosis such as Love Island’s Dr Alex George.