Frankie Bridge reveals she’s been diagnosed with life-changing condition after Loose Women co-star spotted symptoms
FRANKIE Bridge has revealed she’s been diagnosed with ADHD after her Loose Women co-star Denise Welch spotted the symptoms and urged her to get tested.
The 37-year-old has previously been open about her battle with depression and anxiety and now she believes she’s found the “last missing piece” with her attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosis.
Speaking on her latest YouTube vlog, the former Saturdays star told her viewers: “I found out today that I’ve got ADHD.
“Denise was like, ‘I got diagnosed with ADHD and it’s completely changed my life – my depression and my anxiety is so much better’.
She was like, ‘let me put you in touch with [a specialist]. You can just see’. I was a bit like, ‘yeah, I mean, I could be’.”
The mum-of-two continued: “I’ve been battling with [the diagnosis] all day. Part of me is like, what a relief, because it does make sense to me.
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“When I went on the call, I was not sure if this was going to really resonate with me. But by the end of it, I was like, ‘f***, it really does’.
“It’s kind of reassuring. Not that it makes excuses for it, but I can hopefully try and feel less guilt because I’m such a perfectionist, and all that is part of it.”
According to the NHS, those with ADHD are significantly more likely to experience depression and anxiety.
ADHD itself can cause emotional dysregulation, making individuals more prone to intense emotions and making it harder to soothe themselves when feeling down or worried.
The I’m A Celebrity star added: “Hopefully this is the last missing piece that is going to help.
“They do say with a lot of women, we’re not diagnosed ’til we’re a lot older, and by then, you’ve already dealt with depression and anxiety for a really long time.”
Her fans flocked to the comments section on YouTube to commend her on her bravery as some related to her diagnosis.
One penned: “I recently got diagnosed with adhd too and so much makes sense now.”
Another person said: “Awww love your vids. Love your vulnerability.”
While a third added: “Thanks for another great vlog and thanks for being you.”
Denise was diagnosed with ADHD herself in January 2023 after undergoing a series of intense tests.
Incidentally, Denise went to get tested after her Loose Women co-star Nadia Sawalha received her own diagnosis and saw similar traits in her.
Frankie has previously stated that she was “anxious from the womb” and experienced physical symptoms including stomach aches, night time panic and difficulty breathing.
Her depression began to manifest significantly when she was 15, coinciding with her first brush with fame in S Club Juniors.
In 2011, at the height of her success in The Saturdays, Frankie suffered a major mental health breakdown.
She voluntarily admitted herself into a private psychiatric hospital for treatment for one month.
It’s something the ITV star has continued to deal with on daily basis but has used her platform to help other people who are experiencing the same as her.
In March last year, she told her Instagram followers: “I have finally made it down to the gym. It’s taken me the whole day to actually get here.
What is ADHD?
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals focus, regulate their impulses, and manage their energy levels.
Symptoms depend on the type; inattention causes challenges with focusing, organisation and time management, hyperactivity causes excessive energy or restlessness, and impulsivity causes a person to act without thinking or struggle to wait their turn.
People can be predominately one type or a mix of the two and symptoms are varied and unique to individuals.
While living with ADHD is challenging, people often find unique strengths within their condition, such as the ability to hyperfocus on something they find interesting, problem-solving skills and creativity.
“My depression is absolutely kicking my a**e, and I’m so over it. You know when you just feel like you do all the things you’re told you’re meant to do, and then it just still always comes back?
“I’m just so bored of myself. It is so boring. You know when you just think everyone around me must just be so bored of it as well, and I just I’m over it.”
“But I’m here,” she added. “I’m going to try and do as much as I can in the gym, because I know it will make me feel better.
“Instead of just sitting around, eating s**t, which is what I’ve been doing all day, which only makes me feel worse and I know that, so I don’t know why I do it, but here we are back in the same old place.”



