Former EastEnders star Martine McCutcheon has opened up about her emotional experience after being diagnosed with ADHD. The actress, who revealed her condition last year on Instagram, recently shared more about her journey during an appearance on the ADHD Chatter podcast.
Martine reflected on her initial reaction to the diagnosis, admitting she was in disbelief. “At first, I was like, ‘They’ve got it wrong,’ and I forgot about it,” she said. Her mother, however, encouraged her to reconsider. “My mum was like, ‘You did a full-on private, pretty fabulous test, Martine, and your score was high”, told Metro.co.uk.
Initially, Martine wasn’t ready to face the diagnosis, as she was still grieving the loss of her brother. However, once she started reading about ADHD and its effects on women, the reality hit her hard. “One day, I just sobbed,” she said. “I felt so sad for all the things that could have been different if only I’d known. The choices I would have made from a different place, with more kindness and compassion to who I was.”
Martine’s journey with ADHD adds to her ongoing struggles with multiple chronic health conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, and Lyme disease. These illnesses have caused her pain and exhaustion for over a decade.
Earlier this year, Martine also shared the challenges she faced during her 18-year marriage to Jack McManus, which ended in 2024. Reflecting on the past year, she posted on Instagram about the difficulties of balancing her health issues and personal life, revealing that Jack had supported her through particularly tough times. “I was so dizzy I could barely stand, I had been in hospital with my CFS, and to say Jack held the fort is an understatement,” she wrote.
Martine expressed gratitude for being able to celebrate Jack’s birthday with friends this year, noting how much she had missed socializing due to her unpredictable health. “I have to plan things pretty last minute as I don’t know how my symptoms will be,” she explained, adding that she’s surrounded herself with friends who understand if she needs to cancel plans due to her conditions.
She also encouraged friends and loved ones to learn about CFS and fibromyalgia, saying, “If they love you, it’s the least they can do! Understanding helps with support.”
Despite the challenges, Martine remains optimistic, celebrating the small victories and appreciating the support system she has built around her.