A former contestant on Netflix’s hit reality show Love is Blind has shared how watching herself on screen led to a life-changing ADHD diagnosis. Nicole Grünewald-Bridi, from Surrey, appeared on the show in 2023 alongside her now-husband, Benaiah, a structural landscaper from Longridge, Lancashire. The couple’s journey captivated audiences, but for Nicole, the real revelation came after the cameras stopped rolling.
“Watching it back was like holding up a mirror. I could see everything I’d missed: the emotional ups and downs, impulsive decisions, constant burnout,” Nicole explained. Reflecting on her time on the show, she recognised patterns of behaviour that had long gone unexplained, including emotional highs, impulsivity, and chronic overwhelm. These insights prompted her to seek a professional assessment, resulting in a late ADHD diagnosis.
Nicole’s story resonates with many adults who remain undiagnosed until a significant life event prompts self-reflection. Matt Buff, founder of the UK-based platform Get Dopa Unmasked, interviewed Nicole and noted the commonality of her experience. “Nicole brings honesty, heart, and lived experience,” Buff said. “Many of us who are neurodivergent can relate to the masking, the missteps, and not quite understanding ourselves.” Founded after Buff’s own late ADHD diagnosis, Get Dopa Unmasked aims to reduce stigma and provide tools for neurodivergent individuals through webinars, blogs, and community stories.
Sharing her diagnosis with her husband was a daunting step for Nicole. “I was terrified he’d see me differently, or think I was too much. I genuinely felt unlovable,” she admitted. “But he met me with compassion, which helped me feel less alone.” This support strengthened their relationship, inspiring Nicole to partner with Get Dopa Unmasked to share her journey. Through blogposts and webinars, she will focus on relationships, health, and identity, advocating for self-compassion and holistic ADHD management. “Choosing a holistic route to manage my ADHD feels right for me,” Nicole said. “It takes effort, trial and error, and lots of self-compassion. Finding Get Dopa felt like a natural fit because they understand the day-to-day reality of being neurodivergent.”
Buff echoed this sentiment, highlighting the transformative impact of embracing neurodivergence. “Like me and many others, she’s found that discovering and embracing neurodivergence can change everything for relationships and well-being,” he said. Nicole’s advocacy aims to raise awareness about late-diagnosed ADHD, particularly its emotional and relational challenges.
The rising recognition of ADHD in adults is reflected in recent NHS Digital statistics. According to a May 2025 report, an estimated 2,498,000 people in England have ADHD, including those without a formal diagnosis. Of these, approximately 741,000 are children and young people aged 5 to 24. The report also revealed significant pressure on NHS services, with up to 549,000 people waiting for an ADHD assessment as of March 2025. Around 304,000 had been waiting for at least a year, and 144,000 for two years or more. Mental health services recorded 20,000 new ADHD assessment referrals in March 2025, a 13.5% increase from the previous year, underscoring the growing demand.
The NHS faces challenges in meeting this surge, with some trusts reporting backlogs of up to eight years. The Right to Choose pathway, allowing patients in England to select alternative providers, has become a popular option to bypass long waits, though access remains uneven. Nicole’s story highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and support, which can profoundly impact personal relationships and mental health.