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Dr Alex George, known for his appearance on Love Island and as an author, has spoken candidly about how his ADHD and OCD diagnoses have profoundly transformed his life. Originally from Carmarthenshire and now based in London, the former emergency room doctor has highlighted the lengthy waiting times for assessments, revealing that he spent thousands of pounds on private ADHD and autism evaluations. In his forthcoming book, George recounts his journey toward diagnosis, explaining that his symptoms were evident from childhood.
Diagnosed with ADHD at 30 in 2022, followed by an OCD diagnosis in October 2025, George also underwent a privately funded autism assessment. Reflecting on his school years, he shared the struggles he faced without a formal diagnosis, including being misunderstood by teachers who advised his family to “lower [their] expectations” of him. He expressed regret, stating that an earlier diagnosis would have dramatically altered his life trajectory. “There’s so much suffering that I have endured that I would not have endured if I’d been diagnosed when I was younger,” he said. He added, “I could’ve harnessed my superpowers so much younger. I’m incredibly creative, when I focus on things there’s no stopping me.”
George also revealed personal tragedy, mentioning that his youngest brother, Llŷr, who was neurodivergent as well, took his own life in 2020. Due to extensive NHS waiting lists, George paid £3,000 for private ADHD and autism assessments, though he acknowledged this was a significant financial burden. According to the National Autistic Society, as of June 2025, over 236,000 people awaited autism assessments in England, with waits for NHS ADHD evaluations reaching up to eight years for some adults. In Wales, more than 16,000 children and young people were waiting for neurodevelopmental assessments in 2023. George criticized these delays, calling the waiting lists “unacceptable,” and urged for change. He pointed out the difficulties individuals face when using non-NHS diagnoses, as some local authorities and health services may not recognize private assessments, a problem echoed by groups such as ADHD Aware.
In response to growing demand, the UK health secretary, Wes Streeting, initiated an independent review into the increasing incidences of ADHD, autism, and mental health conditions in England, including concerns about over-diagnosis. However, George countered this, stating, “The absolute fact of the matter is that it’s categorically incorrect.” He encouraged the government to prioritize reducing assessment waiting times, boost special educational needs (SEN) support in schools, and foster acceptance of neurodivergent individuals. Meanwhile, the Welsh government announced a £13.7 million investment to enhance neurodivergence services and cut assessment wait times, emphasizing their Neurodivergence Improvement Programme focused on timely diagnoses for children.
The inspiration for George’s book, *Am I Normal?*, began unintentionally as he responded to questions during his ADHD assessment three years ago. “I was trying to figure out is it me or is it the world? Am I normal? Literally that was the question I was asking myself so I sat down with my journal and just started writing these questions down,” he explained. The book reflects his personal experiences with ADHD and OCD but also discusses broader themes like grief, alcohol use, and loneliness. George described it as “written for anyone that has asked themselves, am I normal?” highlighting its exploration of universal human experiences and societal norms
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