Simon Pegg says he has been diagnosed with ADHD on a podcast

Actor and writer Simon Pegg revealed that he has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, stating that the outcome confirmed a lot of things he had been wrestling with over the years. No You’re Not.

Simon Pegg Discusses Diagnosis On Podcast

The 56-year-old star of Shaun of the Dead and Mission: Impossible opened up about his neurodevelopmental condition while appearing on the podcast I’m ADHD! No You’re Not on Thursday, October 8. Pegg explained that he pursued a formal medical assessment simply because he wanted to know. The actor noted there was a lot of build-up and suspicion before he finally received the diagnosis. Speaking on the podcast I’m ADHD! No You’re Not, he said he pursued a diagnosis as he just wanted to know.

There was a lot of build-up and suspicion, and it just took a while actually to get there.

Simon Pegg

Pegg Reflects on Depression and Lifelong Symptoms

Pegg stated that he initially believed his symptoms were tied to adult-onset issues or character flaws rather than a lifelong condition. He shared that he has managed bouts of clinical depression and struggled with controlling his drinking, and has had bouts of depression in his adult life since he was 18 years old, initially thinking those challenges had caused his symptoms. Pegg thought the condition came on later in life because he was not considered a naughty child.

Reflecting on his early years, Pegg noted that while he did not match his own narrow assumptions about chaotic or disruptive students, he realized he frequently fidgeted as a child. He added that his wife has been supportive, handling the diagnosis as if it had been established long ago and making allowances for his forgetfulness and lack of concentration. Pegg said, I did feel different in a way I might not be able to put my finger on. Maybe everybody feels that way. He added, I just assumed ADHD kids were kind of chaotic and difficult and didn’t pay attention in school. Pegg added that his wife is dealing with it as if I’d been diagnosed ages ago, adding: It’s just who I am, and it’s just things that I do. She makes allowances for forgetfulness and and lack of concentration.

Seeking Answers

NHS data estimates that roughly 2.5 million people in England live with the condition, while wider public health research indicates that adult diagnosis rates have risen significantly over the past two decades. The actor also previously stated that he felt his poor driving was down to undiagnosed ADHD.