After a seven-year hiatus, Lily Allen is back with a vengeance. Rolling Stone Magazine called her latest album, West End Girl, a “masterful portrayal of modern love and loss” and she’s selling out concerts in the UK and US. While she’s currently on top of the world, she has previously opened up about having ADHD.

Back in 2023, Lily Allen told the Guardian that she had been diagnosed with ADHD. Like many women, her diagnosis happened later in life. The singer-song-writer also explained how her ADHD changed the way she felt about social media and the compulsion to “switch off” from it.

The Social Media Struggle

After years of being active, Allen deactivated her Twitter account back in 2019 saying that, among other things, it gave a voice to the far right. It wouldn’t be until four years later that she would open up about having ADHD and how social media platforms overwhelmed her.

“I’ve had to completely switch off social media because as soon as I look at it, it can be hours of my day gone.” explained Allen in 2023. Her feelings are common, with many ADHD people finding social media all-encompassing and needing to take regular breaks.

While Allen has since rejoined Instagram and TikTok, her experience of needing to step away is one that many of us have had. However, trying to quit social media as an ADHD person can be particularly difficult.

Why ADHD Makes Social Media Harder to Quit

Social media has the unique ability to tap into ADHD vulnerabilities. Likes, comments, and notifications have the power to offer a quick dopamine hit. Getting that feeling is as easy as opening an app. Since executive function is challenging, tasks that require minimal effort become default behaviours. You may do them without even realising it.

For ADHD brains, which struggle with dopamine regulation, this can be a particularly potent cocktail. In extreme cases, you may even develop a social media addiction, which can impact your mood, lead to depression, and worsen impulsive traits.

Allen's recognition of these patterns shows a self-awareness of how her ADHD affects her. However, quitting or taking a break from social media is often easier said than done. These platforms have been specifically designed to be compelling and addictive.

Tips for quitting social media

Allen took a clear stance back in 2023, choosing her wellbeing over online visibility. By announcing her decision publicly, she created accountability and made a statement about prioritising mental health. If you’re trying to quit social media like her, here are some tips:

Switch off notifications

That buzz you get when a notification pops onto your screen is dangerous. If you want to take a step back from social media, consider turning it off. That way, you only check the platforms when you choose to do so… not when the app demands your attention.

Try making your screen black and white

One way to lower the impact of social media platforms is to make them less appealing. Switching your phone or laptop screen to black and white can help. Watching Reels or TikTok videos without the colour is far less interesting than you think.

Delete the apps from your phone

If neither of the above work, you may need to do something more drastic. Consider deleting the apps from your device. If you want to look at them, you can do so on your computer. That extra barrier is likely to stop you spending so much time on social media every day.

Takeaway

Allen's experience offers valuable lessons for ADHDers who struggle with technology use. Recognising when something harms you and taking action matters more than maintaining connections that drain your mental health. If you're seeking an ADHD assessment to better understand your own challenges, our services provide fast and accurate evaluations.

Photo credit: Warner Music Sweden,CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons