Nelly Furtado reveals she has ADHD

‘I’ve used choreography as a natural way of dealing with it’: Nelly Furtado, 44, reveals she has ADHD as she poses for her first shoot in six years

Nelly Furtado has revealed she has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Speaking to Fault Magazine, the Canadian singer, 44, revealed she was diagnosed with the condition 18 months ago, and has been using dance and choreography as a way of ‘dealing with it in a natural way.’

Offering insight into her diagnosis, Nelly revealed she since she’s been diagnosed as an adult she hasn’t been ‘overly dramatic about it,’ and has focused ‘finding solutions’ to manage the condition.

Nelly is famed for her hit tracks I’m Like A Bird and Maneater, along with her acclaimed duet Broken Strings with James Morrison in 2008.

She took a five-year hiatus from performing until 2022, when she joined Drake on-stage for his show in Toronto.

Revelation: Nelly Furtado has revealed she has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Insight: The Canadian singer revealed she was diagnosed with the condition 18 months ago, and has been using dance and choreography as a way of ‘dealing with it in a natural way’ 

Alongside the Fault interview, Nelly posed for her first photoshoot in six years, showcasing her incredible figure in a sheer black leotard and colourful tie-dye dress.

Detailing her diagnosis, she said: ‘I just got diagnosed with ADHD in the last 18 months of my life. 

‘I believe I’ve had it my whole life, but playing instruments six days a week as a kid kept me in check. 

‘So now I’ve been using choreography and getting in the dance studio as a natural way of dealing with my ADHD. I find the discipline really helps my brain. 

‘The good news is I’m getting to know my brain really well. I love talking about it, so I’m hoping to share my experience with people and have conversations about it.’

Nelly added: ‘I do have the inattentive type of ADHD, not the hyperactive kind. I’ve had it my whole life. 

‘I think it was probably a blessing that they didn’t know until now. Because I think I’m mature enough now to not be overly dramatic about it and just deal with it and find solutions rather than dwell on the emotional side of it.’

ADHD is a mental disorder that affects behaviour. People with the condition feel restless, may have trouble concentrating and can act impulsively.

Confident! Alongside the Fault interview, Nelly posed for her first photoshoot in six years, showcasing her incredible figure in a sheer black leotard and colourful tie-dye dress

Interview: Nelly revealed she since she’s been diagnosed as an adult she hasn’t been ‘overly dramatic about it,’ and has focused ‘finding solutions’ to manage the condition

Music star! Nelly is famed for her hit tracks I’m Like A Bird and Maneater, along with her acclaimed duet Broken Strings with James Morrison in 2008

The exact cause is unknown, but the condition has been shown to run in families. 

Out soon: Read the full interview in Fault Magazine

Most cases are diagnosed in children between three and seven years old, but sometimes it is diagnosed later in childhood.

People with ADHD may also have additional problems such as sleep and anxiety disorders. 

Nelly also reflected on her own music legacy, adding: ‘One day, my daughter said, ”Mom, your music is trending on TikTok.” I didn’t even have TikTok on my phone, and I didn’t know how to use it. We started making fun little videos on there. 

‘At the same time, I started going out and often hearing my music being played. I found out why the DJs were playing these old songs and discovered that people want to celebrate and have fun to my music. 

‘When I started in this business, people would say, ”Oh, maybe I’m a one-hit wonder,” but 20 years have gone by and people still like my music.’

Nelly had taken long stretches of breaks throughout her career starting in 2007. In an interview back in 2012, the songwriter explained her reasoning with George Stroumboulopoulos.

‘I don’t know. I just need time to kind of relax and live,’ she stated. The mom of three added how important her music was to her doing the ups and downs in her life.

‘My songs have always been a way of kind of understanding myself since I was a small child,’ she expressed.

Read the full interview in Fault Magazine, out now. 

WHAT IS ADHD?

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
• Inability to deal with stress 
• Little or no sense of danger 
• Careless mistakes
• Mood swings
• Forgetfulness 
• Difficulty organising tasks
•  Continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
• 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 

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