Singer Jessie J has announced that she has been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The 36-year-old Price Tag singer, who had son Sky Safir Cornish Colman last year, said the arrival of a baby had “exposed” the circumstances “a lot more”.
In an Instagram post she said: “Hi I was diagnosed with ADHD and OCD about 3 months ago.
“When I told people, I often got the response, ‘Yeah, I mean, we knew that’ (and I’m sure some of you do now) and of course I knew to some extent, but having a baby has, let’s say… exposed it a lot more, which was reassuring in a way because it felt less heavy and scary.
“But also moments where I feel like I can’t talk about it. F*** that. Here I am, talking about it.”
According to the NHS website, ADHD is a condition that affects people’s behaviour and can make people seem restless or impulsive.
According to the health service, OCD is a mental health condition in which a person experiences obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that can disrupt his or her life.
Jessie, whose full name is Jessica Cornish, added: “It’s weird when you know you’ve felt a little bit different your whole life and then one day, when you least expect it, someone actually explains to you why and you can’t ignore it.”
The Do It Like A Dude singer said ADHD is a “broad spectrum” and added that she “feels like a superpower, as long as you look at it from the right perspective and have the right people around you that can deal with it with you.”
She said it made her rethink her whole life.
“The way I am, the way I deal with things. The relationships I’ve had. The way I work and the way I love,” she said. “It’s empowered me and, honestly, sometimes overwhelmed me.
“If there’s one thing social media has given me, it’s the opportunity to connect, connect and heal with strangers who have good hearts and are going through the same thing.
“I have always been honest throughout the journey I take through life.
“And I know there are so many people going through the same thing and I want to hold your hand because I need mine held too.”
She continued: “It’s made me love myself even more. I’m embracing my 11-year-old self, who would clean her sneakers with a toothbrush when she was stressed and to this day lives with 1,000 lists to keep her life from falling apart.
“So that you get to know yourself even better through life. And love yourself all the way.
“Nothing in life defines us, but it helps us grow and become a healthier version of ourselves.”