Maia Mitchell says ADHD diagnosis transformed her life and supports GP prescribing reforms
Australian actress says medication has improved focus and creativity after years of misdiagnosed depression and anxiety
Maia Mitchell says a medical diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder has transformed her life, helping her make sense of long-standing struggles and prompting her to back recent federal changes to prescribing rules.
The 32-year-old Australian actor told The Daily Telegraph’s Confidential that being diagnosed and medicated for ADHD has been a “game-changer,” allowing her to focus more easily and boosting her creativity. She said the diagnosis also lifted a burden of shame and confusion that had followed years in which she believed she was battling depression or anxiety.
"Being medicated and learning about the diagnosis feels like all the pieces in my life are together," Mitchell said. "I love my meds, they are amazing. They help me focus and I feel more creative with them."
Mitchell said specialists explained that ADHD can present differently in women and often mimics depression or anxiety, which contributed to her not recognising the real cause of her difficulties. She said a clear diagnosis helped explain long-standing patterns she had interpreted as personal failings.
She also voiced support for federal reforms that allow general practitioners to prescribe ADHD medication, saying the previous system was costly and impractical for many patients. Under the earlier approach, patients often paid hundreds of dollars for brief consultations with specialists, a process Mitchell described as "insane." She said broader access to primary care prescribing could reduce barriers for people seeking assessment and treatment.
Mitchell said she hoped being open about her experience would encourage others who suspect they may be undiagnosed to seek support. "A lot of people go on depressed for a long time and feel a lot of shame about things like, I'm chaotic, or I can't do this, or I'm not operating right. So it's nice to put a name to it and know that it's not just like a mess," she said.
The actor has just wrapped filming season two of The Artful Dodger for Disney+ and is working on a film titled Family Secrets. Her comments were published in The Daily Telegraph’s Confidential and reported in entertainment coverage.
Experts and advocacy groups have long said ADHD in women is underdiagnosed because symptoms can present differently than in men, sometimes leading to misidentification as mood or anxiety disorders. Government changes to prescribing rules aim to make assessment and treatment more accessible through primary care, while professional bodies have urged that diagnosis and management follow clinical guidelines to ensure appropriate care and follow-up.