Sheridan Smith says she can 'make sense of her life' after health diagnosis
Sheridan Smith has revealed she has been diagnosed with the age of ADHD at the age of 42, saying she is now able to "make sense" of things in her life.
The Mrs Biggs actress received her diagnosis earlier this year, ahead of making her big return to the West End. The mum-of-one says she has also recently began seeing a therapist - admitting it's something she wishes she'd done sooner but "there's a real working class stigma."
Sheridan opening up about her mental health comes as she prepares to return to the stage once again in Opening Night, a major new musical with music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright. The upcoming stage musical is based on the 1977 film of the same name by John Cassavetes.
"I’m hoping that this is going to help me regain my power," BAFTA and two-time Olivier award winner Sheridan says of her role as Myrtle in Opening Night. "If I can get through this, if I can pull this off, then I’ll feel like, 'OK, I’m back'."
Sheridan Smith with her son Billy at the curtain call during the press night performance of Shirley Valentine last year (Dave Benett/Getty Images)Sheridan, who shares son Billy with ex Jamie Horn, goes on to tell British Vogue how she is in a WhatsApp group with other mums from Billy's school, but is known as 'Shadow Sheridan' as she doesn't chat much due to overthinking. Sheridan then reveals her recent ADHD diagnosis, which is helping "make a lot of sense" of things, like the "overanalysing" and her brain’s background noise. The star also told the publication about her experience with therapy, admitting: "I should have had it sooner, but, you know, there’s a real working-class [stigma]."
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ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a condition that affects behaviour, according to the NHS. It can make people seem restless, have trouble focusing and act impulsively. Often, ADHD symptoms are noticed during childhood, but many people, especially women, are only diagnosed as adults.
There's no cure for ADHD and treatments depend on the person. The exact cause of ADHD isn't known yet. Medicine is usually the first treatment offered to adults with ADHD, but psychological therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can also help. Adults with ADHD might struggle with managing time and staying organised. They may find it hard to focus and finish tasks. ADHD can also affect how someone handles stress. Some adults with the condition might have problems with relationships or social interactions.
Opening Night will be at the Gielgud Theatre from 6th March and will see Sheridan play Myrtle, an actress haunted by the death of a teenage fan and bullied by her director during the out-of-town tryouts for a play heading to Broadway. Speaking in November, Sheridan described Myrtle as a "complex and challenging character". She also expressed her excitement to work with Wainwright and Van Hove, gushing: "Quite frankly, if they’d asked me to read out the back of a cereal packet, I’d have been there."
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