Home Entertainment Ben Fogle reveals he has been diagnosed with ADHD after a ‘recent mental health storm’ – as he says ‘some aspects of life had become a struggle’

Ben Fogle reveals he has been diagnosed with ADHD after a ‘recent mental health storm’ – as he says ‘some aspects of life had become a struggle’

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Ben Fogle has revealed that he was recently diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) after a

Ben Fogle has revealed that he was recently diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) after a “recent mental health storm”.

The presenter, 50, opened up about his neurodevelopmental disorder on Instagram, where he admitted that “some aspects of life had become a struggle”.

Ben, who previously opened up about being dyslexic, said he had “changed neurologically” after struggling with his mental health.

The Countryfile star insisted the condition “doesn’t make me fragile, just vulnerable”, as she spoke about her adjustment since the diagnosis.

Ben said: ‘I hate labels. I always have. The idea that a single word defines us is too binary and lacks the nuances that distinguish us.

Ben Fogle has revealed that he was recently diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) after a “recent mental health storm”.

The television host, 50, spoke about his diagnosis in an Instagram post, where he admitted that

The TV host, 50, spoke about his diagnosis in an Instagram post, where he admitted that “some aspects of life had become more difficult.”

Ben, who previously spoke about being dyslexic, said he had

Ben, who previously opened up about being dyslexic, said he had “changed neurologically” after struggling with his mental health.

‘We are more than a radical binary word. I am privileged but I am also compassionate. I am a public figure but I am also quite shy.

‘I’m dyslexic and an award-winning writer. You receive the message. The same can be said for our unique neurological differences.’

Ben, who has been married to his wife Marina since 2006, continued: ‘I was recently diagnosed with ADHD *rolls eyes*. I admit my own cynicism but the reality is that I have changed neurologically.

‘A recent mental health storm was the catalyst for my diagnosis. I feel different and have done so for some time.

‘Some aspects of life had become more difficult, but with a diagnosis comes understanding and reason.

‘Maybe it’s my age or maybe it’s a symptom of something more complex in society at large. I have ADHD but I’m still me.

‘It’s not an excuse for me nor a reason to be cautious around me with others. It doesn’t make me fragile, just vulnerable.

Ben has been married to his wife Marina since 2006 (pictured together in 2018)

Ben has been married to his wife Marina since 2006 (pictured together in 2018)

‘Like all of us. We may be slightly neurotically different, but that’s also what makes us unique. Improves my creativity and empathy.

‘Neurological individuality makes me who I am and I am proud of it. Having a clinical diagnosis helps me understand who I am. It explains my weaknesses as well as my strengths. Love, peace and individuality.’

Ben has previously been open about his health, detailing the ‘psychotic episode’ he suffered in 2013 after having alcohol spiked in his drink.

Speaking in 2020, he revealed that he attempted suicide during a night out at “a country pub in the Cotswolds”.

On Friday, she took to Instagram to detail the ordeal with her fans, calling it “one of the scariest experiences of (her) life.”

Warning others about the dangers of having alcohol spiked in their drink, he also sought to combat the stigma faced by victims of similar incidents, as he said the “Twitter buildup” he was subjected to at the time made him feel even more victimized.

In a lengthy caption, he said: “Several years ago, in 2013 to be precise, an unknown substance was added to my drink which resulted in a psychotic episode that landed me in the hospital.

‘It was one of the scariest experiences of my life, but the response was even more disappointing.

“The hospital lost my samples, someone leaked them to the press, there were a lot of vile trolls on Twitter and the press in general mocked and doubted the story.”

Ben has previously been open about his health, detailing the 'psychotic episode' he suffered in 2013 after having alcohol spiked in his drink.

Ben has previously been open about his health, detailing the ‘psychotic episode’ he suffered in 2013 after having alcohol spiked in his drink.

Ben shares two children with Marina, Ludovic Herbert Richard, 15, and Iona, 13. The couple married after meeting while walking their dogs in Hyde Park.

Ben shares two children with Marina, Ludovic Herbert Richard, 15, and Iona, 13. The couple married after meeting while walking their dogs in Hyde Park.

Then, speaking about the dangers of alcoholic beverages, he continued: “The impact of alcoholic beverages cannot be underestimated.”

‘The unknown drug caused a psychotic episode during which I attempted suicide. I spent weeks undergoing medical and psychological testing to make sure it wasn’t a self-induced illness.

‘Several doctors concluded that it was actually an external drug that had caused the psychosis and yet there was no recrimination, just suspicion as to why and how I had been injected.

“To me, it’s symbolic of society’s general approach to the finisher, that the blame and responsibility lies with the ‘finicker,’ not the ‘clincher.’

“I have been contacted by police, soldiers and students and they all have the same story to tell.”

And he concluded: “It can happen to anyone. Anywhere (mine was a country pub in the Cotswolds). Whenever. It was a hard lesson. Love and peace.’

Ben shares two children with Marina, Ludovic Herbert Richard, 15, and Iona, 13. The couple married after meeting while walking their dogs in Hyde Park.

He was already famous, having captured the hearts of viewers on Castaway 2000, one of the first British reality shows.

The young, elegant and friendly blonde boy emerged as a natural leader among the volunteers who founded a new community on the remote Scottish island of Taransay.

“I wish I could have seen those qualities in myself at the time,” says Ben, who had “no confidence” after failing his A-level exams at a private school.

‘I was very dyslexic, I could barely write or read. I still can’t spell, my letters get confused. I wasn’t good at academics, I wasn’t athletic, I didn’t have any kind of tribe. I had terrible acne, so I was very conscious of my appearance. A combination of all those things left me really lost.”

So instead of going to college, he traveled, taught at an orphanage in Ecuador and helped save turtles in Nicaragua and Honduras, pushing himself beyond his comfort zone, a habit that fame would only fuel.

“I have struggled to rebuild my shattered confidence through challenges, whether it was living in Taransay for a year or rowing across the Atlantic.”

WHAT IS ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral condition defined by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

It affects about five percent of children in the United States. Around 3.6 per cent of boys and 0.85 per cent of girls suffer in the UK.

Symptoms usually appear at a young age and become more noticeable as the child grows. These may also include:

  • constant restlessness
  • Poor concentration
  • Excessive movement or talking
  • Act without thinking
  • Inability to deal with stress.
  • Little or no sense of danger.
  • Careless errors
  • Humor changes
  • Forgot
  • Difficulty organizing tasks.
  • Continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones.
  • Inability to listen or follow instructions.

Most cases are diagnosed between the ages of six and 12. Adults can also suffer, but there is less research on this.

The exact cause of ADHD is unclear, but it is believed to involve genetic mutations that affect the function and structure of a person’s brain.

Premature babies and those with epilepsy or brain damage are most at risk.

ADHD is also linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia, Tourette syndrome, and epilepsy.

There is no cure.

A combination of medication and therapy is usually recommended to relieve symptoms and make daily life easier.

Fountain: NHS options

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