‘It is like nine radio channels going off at once’: Lee Mack believes he has ADHD

‘It is like nine radio channels going off at once’: Lee Mack believes he has ADHD as he juggles MULTIPLE conversations in his head at the same time

  • The comedian, 52, admitted it can cause a problem when he attends the pub with his friends as he listens to multiple conversations at the same time 
  • He revealed he is yet to be officially diagnosed, but believes he exhibits symptoms as he switches between ‘obsessive concentration’
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness 

Lee Mack confessed he has been tested for ADHD after hearing ‘nine radio channels’ in his head at once.

The comedian, 52, also admitted it can cause a problem when he attends the pub with his friends as he listens to multiple conversations at the same time. 

He revealed he is yet to be officially diagnosed, but believes he exhibits symptoms as he switches between ‘obsessive concentration’ and becoming ‘distracted easily’. 

There’s a lot going on! Lee Mack confessed he has been tested for ADHD after hearing ‘nine radio channels’ in his head at once

Lee said on Walking The Dog podcast in January: ‘To me it is like eight or nine radio channels going off at once.

‘Most people can tune into one, but you tend to tune into nine.’

‘But the problem is you’re not listening to any one of them succinctly enough, or you have mad obsessive concentration on one thing.’

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. 

Thoughts: The comic, 52, revealed he is yet to be officially diagnosed but believes he exhibits symptoms as he switches between 'obsessive concentration' and becoming 'distracted easily'

Thoughts: The comic, 52, revealed he is yet to be officially diagnosed but believes he exhibits symptoms as he switches between ‘obsessive concentration’ and becoming ‘distracted easily’

Symptoms typically appear at an early age and include constant fidgeting, poor concentration, excessive movement or talking, acting without thinking and careless mistakes, to name a few.    

According to the Not Going Out comic, he frequently overhears dramatic arguments due to his ADHD traits. 

He continued: ‘When I used to go to pubs I would go: “That was all kicking off, wasn’t it?” They go: “What was?” I’d say: “The conversation behind us where that row broke out”, and they go: “What row?”

‘I’d say: “You’re not serious? That huge argument”, and they go: “I didn’t notice anything”. Am I just nosey?’    

Feeling distracted: He also admitted it can cause a problem when he attends the pub with his friends as he listens to multiple conversations at once

Feeling distracted: He also admitted it can cause a problem when he attends the pub with his friends as he listens to multiple conversations at once

He recalled the moment he first started exhibiting behaviours associated with ADHD and said: “I started joking around on it and I do get distracted easily and I drew balls and a willy, those types of things. 

‘As an adult having it – and I do suspect I’ve got it having spoken to people about it – it has its positives and its negatives.

‘The positives are certainly in my job on panel games I can hear several people talking, whereas some people are just focusing on the one person talking. You can tune it to what suits – what you want to talk about.’  

ADHD is also linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia, Tourette’s and epilepsy but there is currently no cure. 

A combination of medication and therapy is usually recommended to relieve symptoms and make day-to-day life easier.

ABOUT ATTENTION-DEFICIT / HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER 

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

It affects around five per cent of children in the US. Some 3.6 per cent of boys and 0.85 per cent of girls suffer in the UK. 

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