Busy Philipps is opening up about how being diagnosed with ADHD at 39 had a profound impact on her life, shedding light on why the disorder often goes unnoticed in girls.
The Girls5Eva star, now 44, revealed that she didn't realize she might have ADHD until she sought treatment for her daughter, Birdie, now 15. Philipps shares Birdie and another daughter, Cricket, 11, with her ex-husband, Mark Silverstein.
“It wasn't until we were sitting there with my daughter's doctor and he was going through the checklist that my ex-husband and I started looking at each other, and I had all of them,” she explained. “‘Wait, that's me. 100% me.’ So I went to my own doctor and sure enough, I very much have ADHD.”
ADHD is identified as one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in childhood, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC notes that common symptoms include excessive daydreaming, forgetfulness, fidgeting, excessive talking, impulsivity, and impatience, such as taking unnecessary risks or struggling with turn-taking.
Busy Philipps shared that her personal experience with ADHD didn't manifest as external chaos but rather internal turmoil, where her brain constantly worked overtime to find order and coherence. She described it as an overwhelming challenge to manage.
After discussing her diagnosis on her podcast, "Busy Philipps Is Doing Her Best," she received numerous messages from women who resonated with her experience. This feedback inspired her to speak out more boldly about her mental health journey, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
Philipps emphasized the importance of such conversations, as they allow people to recognize their own experiences and seek appropriate support and treatment. She encouraged others to consult their doctors and find the best approach for managing their mental health, acknowledging that while she's not a medical professional, her experiences may resonate with others facing similar challenges.
Before receiving her ADHD diagnosis and starting medication, Philipps struggled with prioritizing tasks.
“I would be needing to pack for a trip that I'm going on. I would also know that I needed to make a playlist to listen to on the plane, too, and I'd have to download [it]. So then instead of packing, I'm like, ‘I have to make this playlist’ — like that's the most important thing, which is not the most important thing for me to do,” she explained.
“The order should be that you get the things you need to get done first, right? But those kinds of things would pop into my brain and I'd be like, ‘Oh, I need snacks,’ and then… I'm at my work trip … and I'm, like, 'I don't have any underwear.'”
Now, the Mean Girls actress manages her ADHD with Qelbree, a non-stimulant medication. “I love because I can take it any time of day. Sometimes I would forget, and I'm so glad that I can take it any time of day.”
The actress expressed her satisfaction at being part of the conversation surrounding ADHD, noting the historical tendency to overlook women's diagnoses, especially in mental health. She highlighted the different presentation of ADHD in young boys and girls, which often led to missed diagnoses.
“I really wish that, you know, when I was in my early 30s and feeling so overwhelmed and like I was failing at life that somebody was out there saying like, ’Oh, actually, you're not’ — and not just that message of, like, ‘You’re a mom, you're doing it all’ — but if it's really feeling insurmountable, go talk to a doctor and see what is going on. And specifically ask them about ADHD,” she elaborated.
“Since knowing what it is, it allows me to not feel terrible about myself,” she added, “And not have this nagging feeling that I'm failing in some way.”
The Quran - Chapter Al-Ahqaf : 17
But some scold their parents, “Enough with you! Are you warning me that I will be brought forth ˹from the grave˺, while many generations had already perished before me ˹for good˺?” The parents cry to Allah for help, ˹and warn their child,˺ “Pity you. Have faith! Surely Allah’s promise is true.” But the deniers insist, “This is nothing but ancient fables.”
These are the ones against whom the fate of earlier communities of jinn and humans has been justified, ˹for˺ they were truly losers.
Children who are obedient to their parents are also obedient to God. Contrary to this, the behaviour of disobedient children is such that, when they grow up, they forget that their parents had to endure innumerable troubles to bring them to adulthood.
The best well-wishers of the individual are his parents. Whatever advice parents offer their children is based on absolutely selfless well-wishing.
Therefore, one should give more weight to the advice of righteous parents. One who rebukes his righteous parents for their advice proves by his behaviour that he is a very hard-hearted person. It is such as he who will suffer heavy losses.
