Former Love Island contestant and medical professional Dr Alex George has publicly revealed his recent diagnosis with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), marking the third neurodevelopmental condition he has been diagnosed with in recent years.
Emotional Revelation on Social Media
The 34-year-old television personality shared the deeply personal news with his Instagram followers on Tuesday, describing the diagnosis as feeling "raw" and admitting it would take considerable time to fully process. Dr Alex explained that while the revelation feels overwhelming, it ultimately provides crucial understanding about his lifelong experiences and personality traits.
"I actually don't know where to start or how to even approach this, so I'm just going to say it. I am autistic," Dr Alex wrote in his emotional social media post. "I was diagnosed recently after going through the in-depth assessment process. Sitting and reading the 300-odd-page report was the most surreal and strange experience of my life."
Understanding a Lifetime of Experiences
Dr Alex described how the diagnosis has helped him make sense of various aspects of his life that previously seemed confusing or inexplicable. He noted that certain routines and behaviours he had developed over the years, such as bringing a hair dryer with him everywhere he travels and sometimes missing social cues, now have clearer explanations within the context of autism.
"I can finally see and begin to understand why I am the way I am," he wrote. "I have all the pieces of the jigsaw at last. It only took 34 years."
Previous Mental Health Disclosures
This autism diagnosis follows Dr Alex's previous revelations about other neurodevelopmental conditions. In September 2022, he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which he has described as a "dopamine-driven dysregulation disorder" rather than simply a concentration issue. Then last year, in 2025, he received a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
In a recent column for The Telegraph, Dr Alex detailed what he called his "exhausting battle to be normal," explaining that since childhood he had experienced crippling anxiety and always felt different from his peers. He described developing facial tics at age 11 that eventually migrated to his hands, shoulders, and neck, sometimes requiring Botox treatments to manage the muscular symptoms.
The Assessment Process and Professional Support
Dr Alex credited his psychiatrist with encouraging him to undergo the autism assessment process, noting that the professional had predicted he would only understand the value of diagnosis after completing the comprehensive evaluation. The assessment involved extensive documentation and analysis, resulting in a detailed report spanning hundreds of pages.
"My psychiatrist, who has encouraged me for a long time to be assessed said to me that I will only understand the value of the diagnosis when I go through the assessment process," Dr Alex explained. "And I get that now 100%."
Support from Followers and Family
The reality television star turned mental health advocate received an outpouring of supportive messages from fans and followers after sharing his diagnosis. Many commended his bravery in being open about such personal health matters, with messages including "You're wonderful! Don't ever doubt that" and "That's brave of you to tell us."
Dr Alex also expressed gratitude toward his family, particularly his mother, for participating in the assessment process, which he acknowledged could be challenging for loved ones. He emphasized that his platform has always been about sharing personal experiences to help others feel less alone in their struggles.
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder encompasses a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, and both verbal and nonverbal communication. According to medical experts, these characteristics typically appear before age three and continue throughout a person's lifetime.
Common signs of autism include unusual reactions to sensory stimuli like sounds, smells, or textures, difficulty adapting to routine changes, challenges with social interactions and eye contact, and sometimes repetitive movements or speech patterns. However, autism manifests differently in each individual, which is why it's described as a spectrum disorder.
Looking Toward the Future
Dr Alex concluded his announcement with a thoughtful reflection on self-acceptance, writing: "The greatest gift we can give ourselves is the gift of acceptance. And for that to happen, we need to know who we truly are." He acknowledged that while the diagnosis is still fresh and requires processing time, it represents an important step in his personal journey toward understanding himself better.
The medical professional turned television personality has become increasingly vocal about mental health issues since finding fame on the 2018 series of Love Island, using his platform to advocate for greater awareness and understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions while documenting his own health journey.
