Actress feels 'lighter' after ADHD and autism diagnosis

Kimberley Nixon

Welsh actress Kimberley Nixon has shared her sense of relief and clarity after receiving a dual diagnosis of autism and ADHD. Best known for her roles in Fresh Meat, Wild Child, and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, Nixon described the diagnosis as a “huge weight lifted off my shoulders.” Her journey began after experiencing perinatal obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) following the birth of her son during the 2020 pandemic. The condition caused intense anxiety that lasted over two years and led her to reflect on lifelong behavioural patterns. This prompted her to undergo thorough assessments, culminating in a formal diagnosis that she says helped her better understand her mind and embrace her differences.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Nixon said the diagnosis allowed her to reframe how she viewed herself, shifting from feeling "like a square peg in a round hole" to appreciating her brain’s uniqueness. She noted that the extensive diagnostic process explored every aspect of her personal history. Since receiving the diagnosis, she has felt emotionally lighter and more compassionate toward herself, calling the experience “really lovely.” Nixon emphasised that her brain isn't "wrong" but simply "different" and said she now feels more accepting of the way she processes the world. This new perspective has brought her relief and empowerment.

Kimberley Nixon

Nixon also opened up about her struggles with perinatal OCD, which she experienced after a long IVF journey. She described the condition as involving intrusive thoughts, repetitive fears, and compulsions, all intensified by the pressures of early motherhood during a global crisis. The symptoms didn’t match common stereotypes of OCD, such as obsessiveness with cleanliness, but were instead centred on overwhelming anxiety about her baby’s safety. Nixon recalled being hypervigilant and emotionally exhausted. Now more informed, she advocates for broader awareness of perinatal OCD, which she says is often overshadowed by postnatal depression. In addition to her advocacy, Nixon is currently appearing in ITV’s historical drama Shardlake, filmed in Budapest and based on CJ Sansom’s novel Dissolution.