Joe Swash says disastrous holiday with Stacey Solomon has made him realise his ADHD ‘has taken a grip and I am not managing it well’ a year on from couple’s clash over his diagnosis during therapy session

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Joe Swash recently shared that a difficult family vacation with his wife, Stacey Solomon, and their children highlighted how much his ADHD is affecting him.

Oh my gosh, you guys, he posted! It was a really raw, honest video, and he actually admitted he’s really struggling right now. He said he’s ‘not managing’ things, and it just broke my heart. I’m so worried about him, but I admire him so much for being so open with us.

Joe shared with his fans that he’s been off medication for a year, but a stressful family holiday has led him to reconsider and schedule an appointment with his doctor.

In a recent video, he addressed questions about his ADHD, explaining that he’d briefly discussed it in the first season of his show with Stacey. He also mentioned he was beginning to explore medication options at that time.

I quit taking my medication a year ago, and now I realize that wasn’t a good decision. I’m planning to start taking it again, essentially starting over with treatment.

‘I’ve got a meeting with my doctor. And the ADHD doctor as well.’

Joe admitted that as his schedule fills up, he starts to feel overwhelmed. He then explained what led him to reconsider how he’s been managing his health condition.

He went on to explain that the reason for everything started with a recent family vacation.

The trip started off with a big mistake. I accidentally left Stacey’s suitcase – containing all her clothes for the vacation – at home. We arrived at the airport only to discover her bag hadn’t made it.

I realized I hadn’t left my iPad in the taxi – I’d actually left it on the plane. This happened shortly after I missed my flight home, all within just four days, which was quite a bit to handle.

I’ve been struggling with my ADHD lately, and it feels like it’s starting to affect my life again. I’m not handling it very well right now.

This time, I’m determined to get things right – to find the best medication and connect with the right healthcare professionals. I’ll keep you updated on my progress, sharing what’s helping and what isn’t.

I was really touched watching Joe on TV last year. He opened up about how his ADHD makes him feel like he’s messing up Stacey’s otherwise perfect life, and it was so raw and honest. He actually said he feels like a ‘problem’ to her, and it just broke my heart. It takes a lot of courage to be that vulnerable.

Stacey scheduled a therapy appointment at the Henry Centre in Westcliff, Essex, to provide support for Joe after he received a diagnosis.

Stacey explained to counsellor Natalie Corbett that she understands why Joe is frustrated, as he’s working really hard.

I often find that when I ask for help – for example, saying to someone like Joe, “I’m really having trouble with these specific things” – they try to be supportive, but end up doing things I didn’t actually need help with.

He’s frustrated because he’s been working hard and trying his best, but he hasn’t seen you follow through on my specific requests.

I still have to handle these things myself. You’re a wonderful dad and a really good person, but sometimes it feels like you don’t realize how much I’m juggling and how many problems I’m dealing with.

Joe looked upset and said he was at a loss for words. He explained he was just really frustrated, feeling like he constantly tries his best to support his family and give them all his attention, all day long.

‘And then to sit here and listen to the fact that I’m a huge problem…’

‘But nobody is saying that. Is that what you hear?’ therapist Natalie asked. 

Joe jumped in, saying, “It sounds like I’m just a disruption to Stacey’s ideal life, and that’s all I’m getting from this. I don’t hear anything good about me as a person.”

Honestly, this is the core of our problems, as I see it. It’s just so difficult because whenever I try to express something – anything, really – it feels like you immediately interpret it as a personal attack. It’s like I can’t say a single thing without it being taken as a criticism of you as a person, and it really hurts our communication.

Joe explained that he works hard to provide for his family, and it’s upsetting to him when people suggest otherwise. He finds those kinds of comments frustrating.

Stacey explained that Joe was misinterpreting her words. She emphasized that she’d consistently offered positive framing and that her focus was on them collaborating to resolve the issue.

‘That’s what I’m here for. I’m not here to change you. I’m here to support who we are.’ 

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2026-04-29 03:53