Singer announces diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder and ADHD

Singer Jessie J has revealed that she was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) three months ago.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, the 36-year-old Price Tag singer said it made her “rethink” her entire life.

She added that ADHD feels like “a superpower” “as long as you look at it from the right perspective.”

ADHD is a condition that affects people’s behaviour. It can cause sufferers to appear restless, have difficulty concentrating and act impulsively, according to the NHS website.

According to the NHS, OCD is a mental illness in which the person suffers from obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior.

Jessie J, whose full name is Jessica Cornish, said having a child had “exposed” the conditions even more.

Their son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, was born last year.

In her post, she said there were moments when she felt she couldn’t talk about her illness, but added: “Here I am talking about it.”

She wrote: “When I told people, the reaction was often, ‘Yeah, I mean, we knew that’ (which I’m sure some of you are right now), and of course I knew it to some extent, but having a baby, let’s say… brought it out into the open a lot more, which was comforting in a way because it made it feel less heavy and scary.”

The British star, also known for hits such as “Domino,” said she knew she had been “a little bit different and felt things differently” all her life.

She added that it was strange when one day someone finally explained the reason.

She acknowledged that ADHD is a “broad spectrum,” adding, “I feel like it’s a superpower as long as you look at it from the right perspective and have the right people around you who can get through it with you.”

Jessie J said social media has given her the opportunity to connect, bond and heal with strangers going through similar things.

“I have always been honest in my life,” she said.

“And I know there are so many people going through the same thing, and I honestly just reach out my hand to hold them because I need my own too.”

The singer said her diagnosis has made her love herself even more, adding: “I’m embracing my 11-year-old self.

“She who, when she’s stressed, cleans her sneakers with her toothbrush and still lives with 1,000 lists so she doesn’t feel like her life is falling apart.

“May you get to know each other better as you go through life.

“And to love yourself always and everywhere.”

She concluded that nothing in life defines people, but rather helps them grow and become a “healthier version” of themselves.