BBC Radio 1 DJ reveals she’s been diagnosed with ADHD after struggling with ‘binge-eating’ and living with ‘shame and guilt’ for years
BBC Radio 1 DJ Katie Thistleton has revealed she’s been diagnosed with ADHD.
The presenter, 33, shared that she had struggled with ‘disordered eating’ for years and had gained three stone in seven years.
Katie added that she finally discovered her diagnosis while making a film for Morning Live film, about the link between ADHD and binge-eating.
Posting a clip from the film on Instagram, Katie wrote a lengthy caption about being screened for ADHD during the film, admitting it’s been ‘validating’ to know the condition could be the cause of her struggles with binge-eating.
She wrote: ‘I’ve made a film for @bbcmorninglive about the link between ADHD and binge eating and in doing so I was screened for ADHD and the screening showed up as positive.
Candid: BBC Radio 1 DJ Katie Thistleton has revealed she’s been diagnosed with ADHD
![Tough time: The presenter shared that she had struggled with 'disordered eating' for years and had gained three stone in seven years](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/05/21/69524463-11943517-image-a-75_1680725916828.jpg)
Tough time: The presenter shared that she had struggled with ‘disordered eating’ for years and had gained three stone in seven years
‘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 but 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… 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.
‘Also TikTok tries to diagnose you with something every 5 mins (yes I do sleep with T rex hands and sit on my leg).
‘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.
![Open: Katie added that she finally discovered her diagnosis while making a film for Morning Live film, about the link between ADHD and binge-eating](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/05/21/69524769-11943517-image-a-82_1680726533663.jpg)
Open: Katie added that she finally discovered her diagnosis while making a film for Morning Live film, about the link between ADHD and binge-eating
![Revelation: As her film was released, Katie shared a lengthy Instagram revealing how she was screened for ADHD, and didn't realise binge-eating could be a symptom](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/05/21/69524529-11943517-image-a-78_1680726250448.jpg)
Revelation: As her film was released, Katie shared a lengthy Instagram revealing how she was screened for ADHD, and didn’t realise binge-eating could be a symptom
‘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.
ADHD does not have a cure and the exact cause is unclear but is thought to involve genetic mutations that affect a person’s brain function and structure.
Adults with ADHD are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, feelings of low self-esteem and drug misuse.
Katie currently hosts the Life Hacks and The Official Chart: First Look on Radio 1 alongside Vick Hope.
She also stands in for the presenter and her co-host Jordan North on their drivetime show, and often fronts Morning Live with Gethin Jones.
Katie’s film on ADHD is available to watch in the Morning Live section on BBC iPlayer.
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