Renowned Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt recently spoke about her diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and anxiety, shedding light on her personal struggles with mental health. In a candid conversation with author and podcast host Jay Shetty, Bhatt detailed how she navigates social situations, the impact of ADHD on her daily life, and why she has chosen not to take medication for her condition.
Alia Bhatt revealed that she was officially diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety after undergoing a professional test over three days. She emphasized that it wasn’t just a “random personality quiz” but a clinical process that helped her understand herself better.
“So, I took a professional test over three days, not just a random personality quiz, and I was diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety. Strangely, I felt happy because my ADHD diagnosis gave me information. Lack of information is what throws me off the most, and I’m always seeking clarity and comfort. I’m very averse to change. But once I became aware of these things, dealing with them became much simpler,” Bhatt shared.
One of the most challenging aspects of ADHD and anxiety, as Alia Bhatt explained, is how her body reacts in social settings. She described experiencing physical symptoms in overwhelming environments.
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“In social gatherings, my body would physically react. I’d start heating up. I also found it hard to focus; my attention kept drifting in and out.”
“She said hearing the stories of others facing similar challenges gave her the courage to speak about her own struggles.”
Despite being clinically diagnosed, Alia Bhatt has chosen not to take medication for ADHD and anxiety. She prefers to manage her mental health on her own, through self-awareness and coping strategies.
“I’m not on medication, although I could be. I just chose not to. Instead, I’m actively working on managing it, and I think I’m doing pretty well,” she said.
Alia Bhatt credited her sister, Shaheen Bhatt, as a major influence in her journey of self-awareness and acceptance. Shaheen, who has been vocal about her own struggles with depression, inspired Alia to speak more openly about her experiences with ADHD and anxiety.
“Something about my sister’s honesty inspired me to talk about it, not in a way that seems like I’m complaining about my life, because I know I’m not in a position to complain. I have it all. But, just to talk about it so that someone, somewhere, might resonate with it and feel like, ‘Oh, okay, I’ve had the same kind of day,’ or ‘I have the same feelings,’ and realize they’re not alone.”
Alia Bhatt admitted that she used to pride herself on being an excellent multitasker, but over time, she realized that juggling too many things took a toll on her. She started experiencing forgetfulness and mental fatigue, which made her question her approach to work and life.
“I used to give myself credit for being an amazing multitasker, but then I realized that while I can multitask, it takes a toll on me. I needed to understand why. I started forgetting the most random things, even things I had scheduled.”
Alia Bhatt shared that seeing A-list celebrities from Hollywood and Bollywood open up about similar struggles made her feel less alone. She explained how listening to their stories helped her understand that mental health challenges are more common than people realize.
“It often happens to me when I see an A-list celebrity, whether from Hollywood or even here, speak about something I relate to. And I think, ‘Oh, they’re feeling it too.’ It happens to all of us. That’s when I became more open to talking about my specific anxiety. I was recently clinically diagnosed, so I had proper backing, not just saying, ‘Oh, I’m having an anxious day.’ It’s not just that.”
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