Suzy Eddie Izzard is open to being tested for ADHD after being told her identity as a gender fluid trans woman could be linked to the condition.
Suzy Eddie Izzard is open to being tested for ADHD after being told her identity as a gender fluid trans woman could be linked to the condition
The 64-year-old comic and actor, who identifies as gender fluid and uses she/her pronouns, discussed the possibility during an appearance on the I’m ADHD! No You’re Not podcast alongside Paul Whitehouse and Mine Conkbayir.
Suzy, who adopted her current name in 2023, was presented with a checklist of traits associated with ADHD, including lateral thinking, hyperfocus and rapid pattern recognition, and agreed she met the criteria.
During the discussion, Mine suggested there could be a connection between neurodivergence and gender identity, referencing non-conformity to social expectations.
Suzy said: “The experts like yourself could, could check me all out and say, actually you have these traits and these extra traits.
“Because the people came to me when I was doing stand-up and said, ‘I think you’re dyslexia’.”
Mine said: “The non-conformity being less affected by social expectations, specifically regarding gender roles, which as we know leads to higher rates of gender, non-conformity, a diffuse sense of self.
“So for me, I was picturing you as Edward, but then to Ed and now Suzy Eddy.”
Mine also noted a link between dyslexia and ADHD, stating around half of those diagnosed with dyslexia may also have ADHD.
Suzy has previously addressed debates around gender identity and rights, describing them as complex.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph in 2024, she said: “My line on all of this is that women’s rights are human rights, and trans rights are human rights and we have to live together.
“I’d fight like crazy for women’s rights, but I don’t want to get into the biological-determinism argument, because it’s a minefield. I just keep sailing on.
“I don’t think I’m doing any harm to anyone.”
Suzy has also expressed support for J K Rowling and other gender-critical feminists.
She has spoken publicly about her gender identity over several decades, first identifying as a transvestite in 1985 and later describing her experience of knowing she wanted to be a girl from an early age.
Speaking about her personal life on the Rosebud podcast with Gyles Brandreth, Suzy said: “I would be very happy to have children. But at the moment it’s not there. Never say never.
“I am trans, but I fancy women, I’ve always fancied women, never fancied boys or men, it just doesn’t work for me.”
She added she is content with her current circumstances and not actively seeking a relationship.
Suzy said: “I’m not going to go into lots of relationships. It is tricky – having relationships if you’re a trans person that’s going to be tricky, but I’m quite happy with my own company.
“I’m very happy in the position that I am at the moment so I’m not looking. If someone comes along and we click very well – then absolutely.”
