Great British Bake Off winner reveals health diagnosis that caused ‘borderline addiction’ to sex, porn, food and drugs
ONE Great British Bake Off winner has revealed his secret health diagnosis that caused his personality problems.
Former Lorraine chef John Whaite admitted he had a ‘borderline addiction’ to sex, porn, food and drugs.
John, 34, opened up on his new ADHD diagnosis on social media where he also revealed some of his ‘questionable’ actions.
The former Strictly Come Dancing star wrote a long essay on his Instagram where he opened up on his experiences after he was diagnosed with the condition.
He explained: “I’ve known my behaviour over the past decade (and my thinking for the past 30-odd years) has not been ‘normal’.
“I’ve often questioned whether I have some personality disorder, deep-rooted psychological trauma, or just a brain that isn’t quite wired up right.
“I’ve been impulsive and borderline addicted (to sex, porn, shopping, food, drink, drugs), and have made some very questionable decisions.
“But these weren’t decisions, they were compulsions, because of the neurological functioning inside my head.
“But I’m even more grateful for the knowledge that I have ADHD. Because instantly the shame and guilt can be replaced with conversation – destruction becomes construction.
“I know from speaking openly about depression, alcohol use, bulimia, that people can seek comfort from the experiences of others. I know I certainly have.
“I just wish I’d known this sooner, so I could have written about it in my memoir (which has already gone to print), but now when you read it, I think you’ll understand it even better.”
Since finding fame, John has been open about his mental health battle and previously discussed suffering from bulimia and suicidal thoughts in 2019.
In 2021 he revealed on the Life On A Plate podcast how he was left feeling suicidal and quit fame to live on a farm after winning The Great British Bake Off.
He returned to university after the show to do his barrister training but ended up getting pneumonia from stress – leading him to drop out of the law course.
But he soon returned to the public life after he was confirmed to be the first ever male celeb to be paired in a same-sex couple on Strictly.
What are the signs of ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that affects people's behaviour.
The NHS reveals that the symptoms in adults and kids are…
- Inattentiveness
- having a short attention span and being easily distracted
- making careless mistakes – for example, in schoolwork
- appearing forgetful or losing things
- being unable to stick at tasks that are tedious or time-consuming
- appearing to be unable to listen to or carry out instructions
- constantly changing activity or task
- having difficulty organising tasks
- Hyperactivity and impulsiveness
- being unable to sit still, especially in calm or quiet surroundings
- constantly fidgeting
- being unable to concentrate on tasks
- excessive physical movement
- excessive talking
- acting without thinking
- interrupting conversations
- little or no sense of danger
- mood swings, irritability and a quick temper