Rebecca Gibney is stepping away from social media, a week after announcing she has been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and autism.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, the Packed To The Rafters actress, 61, wrote: ‘Hello friends, it’s time for a wee break from all things SM.’
‘I’ve been spending way too much time staring at my phone looking at either bad news, products I don’t want, snippets from peoples lives that I don’t know, and apart from the funnies – which we all need – I’m finding it all a waste of very precious time,’ she continued.
‘I have stopped fully living in the present and I need to reconnect with my hubby, my dogs and myself,’ the star added.
Gibney expressed gratitude for the positive response to her recent ADHD and autism diagnosis announcement, but also addressed some of the negative comments she received.
‘Alas there has also been a little backlash so I just wanted to say to the people that responded with ‘get over it,’ ‘it’s not cancer,’ ‘stop jumping on the bandwagon’ and ‘nobody cares’ – just a wee word of advice. If you don’t know the full story of someone’s life – please don’t make assumptions or fire off petty comments,’ she warned.
Rebecca Gibney, 61, is stepping away from social media, a week after announcing she has been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and autism
‘I’ve been spending way too much time staring at my phone looking at either bad news, products I don’t want, snippets from peoples lives that I don’t know, and apart from the funnies – which we all need – I’m finding it all a waste of very precious time,’ she wrote
Gibney shared that much of her life had been marked by personal challenges.
‘I have lived most of my life misdiagnosed with severe anxiety (45 years of it). I was raised in a home with extreme domestic violence and I have suffered depression, so to tell someone to ‘get over it’ is really not helpful,’ she said.
‘I share my story so that it may encourage others who might be struggling to know they are not alone.’
Gibney concluded on a hopeful and personal note: ‘So if you need me I’ll be by a river somewhere, walking the dogs, planting veggies with my hubby and talking to the trees. Be kind to yourselves and others. And I’ll see you soon. Ish.’
Gibney’s post included a photo of her two dogs and footage of a beautiful lake.
Her post was met with an outpouring of support from Gibney’s followers, including singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte, who wrote: ‘Babe you are the biggest shining light and it’s because of your vulnerability that allows other including myself to feel ok to share too.’
‘Have the most exquisite time being you! All of you!!! Because she deserves that and more,’ she added.
Media personality Melissa Hoyer meanwhile wrote: ‘Look after YOU – sending love, love & more love.’
Gibney expressed gratitude for the positive response to her recent ADHD and autism diagnosis announcement, but also addressed some of the negative comments she received
Late last month, Rebecca made headlines when she announced she’d been diagnosed with ADHD and autism during an interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly.
ADHD is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness, while autism affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, behaves and processes information.
Autism is considered a ‘spectrum’ because the severity varies among individuals.
‘It’s been hard. It’s been very emotional. I’ve cried a lot more in the last few months than I’ve cried in a long time, which I thought I’d gotten over as a woman over 60. I was like, ‘No, I’ve got all that stuff sorted’,’ the Millionaire Hot Seat host said.
Rebecca found out about her condition while speaking to a psychologist due to struggles she faced after Dancing With The Stars earlier this year.
‘I’m still coming to terms with it because it’s answered a lot of questions from my past – my panic attacks, my years of masking, which started obviously at a very early age,’ she confessed.
‘Masking’ is when someone with ADHD or autism hides their natural behaviours and traits to fit in with others.
Rebecca also revealed that her diagnosis has been somewhat a double-edged sword.
Late last month, Rebecca made headlines when she announced she’d been diagnosed with ADHD and autism during an interview with The Australian Women’s Weekly
After suffering with shyness, anxiety and panic attacks over the years, Rebecca said the diagnosis has helped her better understand her prior struggles.
However, it has also prompted feelings of grief and disappointment.
diagnosis at age 61: ‘I’m still coming to terms with it’
‘There’s that slight mourning – gosh, if I’d known this 40, 50 years ago, would I have gone through all the stuff that I went through?’
‘Maybe it would have made my high school years easier because, you know, I did have a lot of mental health struggles.’
Rebecca is one of many Australian celebrities who have recently been diagnosed with ADHD later in life.
Mamamia co-founder Mia Freeman received her ADHD diagnosis at age 49, while actress Sigrid Thornton found out she had the same condition at 65.
Media personality Em Rusciano was diagnosed with ADHD and autism at age 43, while feminist author Clementine Ford discovered she had ADHD at 41.
ABOUT ATTENTION-DEFICIT / HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Symptoms typically appear at an early age and become more noticeable as a child grows. These can also include:
- Constant fidgeting
- Poor concentration
- Excessive movement or talking
- Acting without thinking
- Little or no sense of danger
- Careless mistakes
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty organising tasks
- Inability to listen or carry out instructions
Most cases are diagnosed between six and 12 years old. Adults can also suffer, but there is less research into this.
ADHD’s exact cause is unclear but is thought to involve genetic mutations that affect a person’s brain function and structure.
Premature babies and those with epilepsy or brain damage are more at risk.
ADHD is also linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia, Tourette’s and epilepsy.
There is no cure.
A combination of medication and therapy is usually recommended to relieve symptoms and make day-to-day life easier.
Source: NHS Choices