Robbie Williams revealed his autism diagnosis and said the news helped explain many of the quirks that had followed him throughout his life. The Take That star, who had previously discussed ADHD and Tourette’s syndrome, also described how creativity helped him manage anxiety and intrusive thoughts.
At 52, Williams had spent decades speaking candidly about his mental health, including the challenges that came with ADHD.
Robbie Williams reveals autism diagnosis while discussing his ADHD and Tourette’s
Speaking at a Q&A for the launch of his clothing brand Hopeium, Williams told the Daily Mail, “I have ADHD and I just found out I have a bit of autism as well, which I actually f****** love because it explains so much.”
He jokingly added, “It is my get-out-of-jail-free card now, and all the weird s*** that I do I just say, ‘Sorry, I’m autistic.’”
Williams also explained how ADHD affected his ability to concentrate. “With the ADHD you can completely and utterly concentrate on something 1000 per cent, but with absolutely everything else, you just cannot do it. Ask my kids,” he said.
Creating images and making funny things helped him redirect his thoughts. Williams described his mind as “incredibly creative” and said that focusing on art stopped him from dwelling on things that frightened him.
He gave a particularly wild example involving a flight. “What if I can have telekinesis and my intrusive thoughts tell the plane to crash itself,” he recalled thinking. He said training his brain to create helped him move away from those frightening thoughts.
Williams had previously discussed Tourette’s syndrome and intrusive thoughts, explaining that some thoughts felt like part of his Tourette’s without actually coming out.
He had also discussed his ADHD diagnosis several times. Williams said he first sought an assessment around 2006 after recognizing himself in descriptions online. He later admitted that he misused prescribed medication while searching for a way to “fix” himself.
In January, Williams told The Independent that he had spent nearly two decades working through his mental health struggles. “It took me nearly a couple of decades to fight through it, and now I’m at the other end and it’s beautiful,” he said.
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