Jermaine Pennant has opened up about his life-changing diagnosis on Good Morning Britain.
The former Liverpool FC star was interviewed by Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard on today's edition of the ITV news programme. The retired winger's career was plagued with controversy as he fell out with then-Reds' manager, Rafael Benitez, during a turbulent time on Merseyside.
The 40-year-old told the broadcasters he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit HyperActivity Disorder (ADHD) in September, which has helped him understand the issues he has faced throughout his life. He said: "It is lifechanging because I would ask myself so many questions over the years.
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"Why do I leave destruction in my path? How have I got myself in certain situations? I just thought it was down to me being a lunatic or just not well or having serious issues. But not actually identifying what they were so I was just round in the circles making the same mistake and telling myself I know I'm not a bad person, but why am I doing this?"
Statistics revealed on Good Morning Britain revealed there has been a 400% rise in adults seeking an ADHD diagnosis. Pennant said his ADHD developed as a way of survival during a difficult childhood as he shared some of the symptoms associated with the condition.
He said: "Now I understand why I would fall out with managers. I understand why TV bosses wouldn't come near me because they think I can't be trusted. But if I, or other people, knew I had ADHD they would understand because having ADHD means you take risks.
"You have no consideration of danger, you have no consequences for other people, you are forgetful, when things are getting stressful or you can't cope, you will seek any validation, which could put yourself in danger. You don't think about work. You are regardless of any form of emotion as well."
Pennant is working as a pundit and he said his life is now on the right path after his diagnosis. He said: "I'm not making excuses. I take full accountability but it would have made a lot of relationships work and a lot of things in my life a lot easier."
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