Radio 1 DJ reveals life changing diagnosis after living with ‘shame and guilt’ for years
A RADIO 1 star has opened up about getting a life-changing diagnosis in a brutally honest new film.
DJ Kate Thistleton, 33, told her fans she’d suffered from “disordered eating” after putting on three stone in seven years.
But she explained that she’d tested positive for ADHD while making a film for Morning Live.
Kate fronted a piece that explored the link between the condition and binge eating on this morning’s show.
Writing on Instagram, the former CBBC presenter said: “I’ve punished myself for years and lived with so much shame and guilt around my weight.”
ADHD – Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – is a condition that affects people’s behaviour.
Kate explained: “I’ve made a film for Morning Live about the link between ADHD and binge eating and in doing so I was screened for ADHD and the screening showed up as positive.
“For years kind Radio 1 listeners have sent me messages whenever I’ve been talking about certain things encouraging me to get tested as so many adult women are undiagnosed.
“I ignored it cos fussy eating and fidgeting didn’t really affect my life and I’d finally started to stop leaving things on trains. Then I heard about the link to binge eating and was like .”
She went on: “I feel weird about the result cos I don’t want to come across as someone who thinks she’s got a million problems and also cos I’ve realised I really didn’t understand ADHD and held a lot of unconscious bias towards people who said they had it.”
The star added: “It has however been really validating to know that potentially the way my brain is wired makes it hard for me to put down the creme eggs.
“I’ve punished myself for years and lived with so much shame and guilt around my weight.
“I had already begun to realise through becoming more self aware in my counselling training that I was impulsive and a pleasure seeker.
“Easily bored and always tracking down the thrill (often c**p food the easiest thrill available) and now I know it’s probably my brain’s lack of dopamine.
“It’s made me wonder if I’ve been on anti depressants for years when it should have been ADHD meds.
“I’m not going to pursue an official diagnosis for now (although I was screened by a psychologist and professor I’d need to make it official if I wanted medication) I’m just going to crack on working towards being a self aware hun as I was doing anyway.
“But, it’s food for thought and I hope you find the film as interesting as I did and maybe it will give you some validation too.
“It’s not your fault if you struggle with disordered eating whether you’ve got ADHD or not.
“And it’s not as easy to lose the weight as lots of people will tell you it is. Thanks to the fab contributors and team who worked on this especially @amyslightowler for bringing it all into my awareness.”
Kate’s film is still available to watch in the Morning Live section of the BBC iPlayer.
What is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour and those who have it may have trouble concentrating.
They can also seem restless and and may act on impulse.
Symptoms tend to be noticed at an early age – with most cases diagnosed in under 12s. However, sometimes it isn’t recognised and people are diagnosed as adults.
Source: NHS