Simon Pegg Reveals ADHD Diagnosis, Citing Childhood Experiences
The actor shared that his diagnosis confirmed aspects of his life he had been 'wrestling with.'
Actor Simon Pegg has revealed he has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a condition he said confirmed aspects of his life he had previously attributed to personal flaws.
Pegg, known for his roles in "Hot Fuzz," "Shaun Of The Dead," "Star Trek," and the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, discussed his diagnosis on the podcast "I'm ADHD! No You're Not." He explained that he sought a diagnosis because he "just wanted to know."
"It confirmed a lot of stuff I'd been wrestling with and that I'd been attributing to just character fault," Pegg stated.
The 56-year-old actor has previously been open about his mental health, including experiences with clinical depression. Reflecting on his ADHD, Pegg initially believed it might have developed later in life, as he did not consider himself a disruptive child.
"I assumed ADHD kids were kind of chaotic and difficult and didn't pay attention in school," Pegg said. "But there were other things that I did do as a kid – fidget or whatever – that made me think, 'Oh no, maybe I've had this longer than I thought.'"
Pegg noted that his wife has been understanding of his diagnosis, making allowances for forgetfulness and lack of concentration. He also shared that understanding his condition has provided perspective on his childhood behavior, acknowledging a sense of feeling different that he might not have been able to articulate previously.
The actor also discussed his evolving approach to discussing his mental health publicly. He mentioned being more guarded earlier in his career but began speaking about personal struggles around 2018, particularly after making a film about schizophrenia. This led him to discuss his issues with depression and drinking, and he expressed being moved by the positive response from individuals who thanked him for sharing his experiences.