Millie Mackintosh has revealed she believes one of her two daughters has ADHD.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 35, shares Sienna, four, and Aurelia, three, with her husband and former co-star, Hugo Taylor.
Mackintosh was diagnosed with ADHD herself a year ago and has also been open about her struggles with anxiety and depression.
The reality star explained that she encounters “daily challenges” with one of her girls, who has “massive meltdowns”.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
Sharing photos from her childhood on Instagram, Mackintosh wrote: “Parenting with ADHD has its challenges, especially as I suspect one of my girls might have it too.”
The Quality Street heiress added: “The massive meltdowns and trying not to react when I’m triggered is a daily challenge!”
Mackintosh said that the “structure” of being in school helps her daughter “massively”.
“Routine helps massively, term time feels calmer, while weekends and school holidays are a bit trickier without that structure,” the influencer explained.
She also discussed her own journey with ADHD, writing: “It’s been a year since I was diagnosed with ADHD and honestly, it’s changed so much for me.
“Suddenly so many things made sense, why I’d always felt different, why school and socialising were so hard, why I drank the way I did, and how it’s affected so many parts of my life.
“Some people might ask, “why find out as an adult?” but for me, knowing how my brain works has helped me be so much kinder to myself and to forgive myself for ways I have acted in the past.
“I sometimes use adhd medication to focus on days when I am working. I’m really grateful to have access to it because I know not everyone does. I only take it once or twice a week on those days I get loads done, but I usually feel more tired the next day and it can increase my anxiety.”
Mackintosh added: “I’ve also lived with anxiety and depression most of my life. When I was at school I was diagnosed with dyspraxia and given extra time in exams, but no one picked up on ADHD.
“Back then it was still thought of as something that mostly affected boys, which is why I think so many women are only finding out much later in life.
“Over the past year I’ve realised how many people in my life are also neurodivergent and realised that’s one of the reasons why I ‘click’ instantly with certain people and not with others.”
Mackintosh, who quit drinking three years ago, then talked about the lifestyle changes that have helped her manage her ADHD symptoms.
“The things that make the biggest difference for me are: good quality sleep, setting strong boundaries, not drinking alcohol, exercising daily, avoiding processed food and sugar,” she penned.
“Since January I’ve been eating a whole food, protein focussed, low carb/keto diet and it’s made me feel so much better.”
Mackintosh and Taylor, who met when they were teenagers and both appeared on the E4 show Made In Chelsea, tied the knot in 2018.
Mackintosh was married to musician Professor Green from 2014 to 2016.
