Rebecca Gibney Shares Emotional Journey After Late-Life ADHD and Autism Diagnosis
Renowned New Zealand actress Rebecca Gibney has publicly revealed her recent diagnosis with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder at the age of 61. The Packed to the Rafters star admits she is still processing this significant personal revelation that has reshaped her understanding of her life experiences.
Emotional Impact and Personal Reflection
Gibney described the period following her diagnosis as profoundly emotional, telling The Australian Women's Weekly that she has cried more in recent months than she had in many years. "It's been hard. It's been very emotional," she confessed. "I've cried a lot more in the last few months than I've cried in a long time, which I thought I'd gotten over as a woman over 60."
The actress discovered her condition while consulting with a psychologist about challenges she faced after participating in Dancing With The Stars in 2025. This diagnosis has provided crucial answers about her past struggles, including panic attacks and years of masking behaviors that began in her early childhood.
Understanding Masking and Past Struggles
Masking refers to the practice where individuals with ADHD or autism conceal their natural behaviors and characteristics to blend in with neurotypical peers. Gibney explained that understanding this concept has helped her make sense of lifelong challenges. "I'm still coming to terms with it because it's answered a lot of questions from my past," she revealed.
The actress described experiencing severe mental health difficulties throughout her life, with intrusive thoughts beginning in her thirties and escalating over time. "I was spiraling. The weekly panic attacks became daily, then hourly. The self-loathing was constant, and my pain was so deep I didn't know how to deal with it," Gibney shared.
Mixed Emotions and Career Developments
While the diagnosis has brought Gibney a sense of inner peace and understanding, she acknowledges feelings of mourning for what might have been different with earlier knowledge. "There's that slight mourning – gosh, if I'd known this 40, 50 years ago, would I have gone through all the stuff that I went through?" she reflected. "Maybe it would have made my high school years easier because I did have a lot of mental health struggles."
This personal revelation coincides with Gibney's new professional role as host of Millionaire Hot Seat, marking her first experience hosting a quiz show format. Despite enjoying this career development, the actress emphasizes that her primary focus this year remains on family priorities.
Growing Trend of Late Diagnoses Among Australian Celebrities
Gibney joins several other prominent Australian figures who have received ADHD or autism diagnoses later in life. This growing list includes:
- Mamamia co-founder Mia Freeman, diagnosed with ADHD at age 49
- Actress Sigrid Thornton, who discovered she had ADHD at 65
- Media personality Em Rusciano, diagnosed with both ADHD and autism at 43
- Author Clementine Ford, who learned she had ADHD at 41
This pattern highlights increasing awareness and diagnosis of neurodivergent conditions among adults, particularly women, who may have been overlooked or misdiagnosed earlier in life. Gibney's openness about her experience contributes to broader conversations about mental health, neurodiversity, and the importance of understanding neurological differences across the lifespan.
