Singer Natalie Imbruglia has revealed her diagnosis with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in midlife. The 51-year-old artist described the diagnoses as a "superpower" but acknowledged that her neurodiversity can make her nervous before performances, a feeling exacerbated by perimenopause.
Imbruglia discussed her mental health journey in a recent interview, noting that perimenopause led her to "very dark places" and caused her to feel "really angry." She described this period as a "grieving process" where it felt like a part of her personality had been altered. She found support and shared experiences with menopause campaigner Davina McCall, which helped her manage "anger and anxiety."
To manage her symptoms, Imbruglia is using HRT creams and expressed her satisfaction that discussions around perimenopause are becoming less taboo. Perimenopause is characterized by declining hormone levels as the body transitions to menopause, often presenting with symptoms such as hot flashes and irregular periods.
Earlier this year, Imbruglia also addressed public assumptions about her decision to become a solo mother. She welcomed her son, Max, in 2019 after undergoing IVF with a sperm donor at the age of 44. Imbruglia stated she was "really upset" by suggestions that she chose solo motherhood over a relationship with a man, emphasizing that it was a decision driven by her biological clock and the availability of medical options.
She reflected on her IVF experience as "pretty brutal" and advised other women to be thoroughly informed about the process, highlighting the emotional toll and the lack of preparation for the "freefall" after the treatment concludes. Imbruglia stressed the importance of seeking support from friends and sharing experiences, as the process can be isolating. The singer, who rose to fame with her hit "Torn" and the album "Left of the Middle," has continued her music career and ventured into acting.