Why radio and reality star Heidi Anderson is 'finally' ready to share her diagnosis

Heidi Anderson was already used to living her life in the public eye. She'd built a successful radio career when she entered the Big Brother house in 2013.

More recently, Anderson, 40, runs he own public relations firm and is a self-styled confidence coach, helping women around the country reclaim their lives as only she can.

Anderson has also been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

She knew she would go public with the news, eventually. First she had to process it.

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"If you look at every female radio announcer around the country, every single one of them has come out and said they're ADHD an it's like, 'F--k, if only I knew that when I was in there, if only I understood myself, then things might have been different'," she tells 9honey.

"I might have not been so tough on myself and had a totally different experience.

"Even going through the ADHD journey, it's been a ride, but I'm finally at a point where I'm happy to talk about it."

Working with a psychiatrist has helped her put together so many pieces of her life, including having battled binge eating, which she now knows is a sensory stim common in those with ADHD.

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"I think the work that I've done the last few years, I haven't really had to worry about binge eating anymore. I've come to a really good place. But it was interesting."

Part of Anderson's hesitation in going public with her ADHD was not feeling "unique anymore" owing to the number of public people sharing their own diagnoses.

"So I kind of kept it to myself and I think one of the biggest things that I struggled with was being medicated, actually accepting that it could actually help me and change my life," she says.

"When I was in my twenties, and I speak openly about this in my book, I took all the drugs that they give you for ADHD.

"I was taking them to party and I was always wondering, 'Why do I have to take so many? Is it because I'm so fat that the drugs don't work for me?'"

Anderson's book is called Drunk on Confidence.

Anderson just wasn't experiencing the 'high' that comes from taking ADHD medication recreationally than those without ADHD have reported experiencing.

Now she is taking them under medical supervision in the way in which they are intended, they have been a game-changer.

"I realised after talking and doing a lot of work with my psychiatrist and a coach who's really helped me that my brain is unique, and it does need that support," she says.

She's also focused on her personal development and setting up systems and an environment that helps her cope with the "mental exhaustion" and "constant burnout" and "emotional dysregulation" that can come with ADHD.

Her "systems" include setting herself up for the week each Monday, time blocking activities such as the gym and taking her son to the beach, meditation and morning stretches.

"I never thought I would be this organised," she says.

"I plan out our meals every Sunday and then I get it delivered through a delivery app."

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She also lets people know how she works and what she needs, including strategies to help with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) which often accompanies ADHD.

"I was always so afraid to say that I need validation, I need words of affirmation, that's been a big thing," explains.

"And I think that worked for me the last couple of years is finding that love and acceptance for myself from within and like being my own best friend."

If you or someone you need is in need of support for ADHD, contact the ADHD Foundation Australia's helpline is 1300 39 39 19 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further help and support contact your GP.

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