She rose to global fame this year with her hit song, Messy.

But now Brit School alum, Lola Young, has taken to social media to promote her ADHD medicine, Concerta, because it makes her ‘see mess now and clean things up’.

Lola, 24, who was nominated for two BRIT Awards, highlighted that there was an ‘over glamorisation’ of the hyperactivity disorder which has broken out among Gen Z with many ‘jumping on the bandwagon’.

But, she argued, the glorification of ADHD in recent years has also helped break down the stigma and made sure ‘people are aware of what it’s doing to your brain’.

The Croydon-born pop singer said: ‘Six months ago I started taking Concerta and it has genuinely changed my life, my thought processing and it’s changed how I see mess and I can clear up, I feel genuinely a lot happier.

‘My experience on Concerta has been incredible, and I would highly recommend it. I think it’s super important to break down the stigma of taking medication for mental health because, right now, if you had a heart condition, you may take some.

‘So we should make sure physical health and mental health are viewed on par.’

Lola Young, 24, told her 2.2million TikTok followers that she was ‘happier’ taking the ADHD medicine, Concerta

Amid spiralling success, the young artist (pictured in January 2025 in Australia) made musical history after becoming the youngest British female artist to score a solo number-one single since Dua Lipa in 2017

Lola also emphasised the importance of getting a diagnosis of ADHD can ‘change your life’.

She said: ‘Getting a diagnosis can help you understand, but I would also recommend getting the medication I am on, which is Concerta.’

Concerta is a drug that increases attention and decreases impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

People taking the drug will feel a sense of euphoria, a higher energy level and better focus and concentration.

It is estimated 230,000 people in the UK are taking the medication for ADHD. 

Lola revealed she wrote the hit single, Messy, in her bedroom and said: ‘It’s been speculated that it’s about my parents. 

‘It’s mᴀssively about some close family but it’s a combination. 

‘It’s more about myself, I am too messy. I’ve never held a broom in my life, everything in my life is a mess so it’s a very fitting track.’ 

She’s dominating the UK’s music charts thanks to her popular track Messy – and yet, most households probably still don’t recognise Lola Young’s name (pictured with her Official Number 1 Single Award)

Lola (pictured) eventually went on to hone her craft at the prestigious Brit School in Croydon, which is known for producing stars like Adele and Amy Winehouse 

In the 2022 interview, Lola shared that she suffers from a rare schizoaffective disorder that had previously led her to manic episodes and hospitalisation.

She made the discovery aged 17 after having suffered with what she thought was clinical depression and bipolar disorder.

She explained that she had an uncle on either side of her family who also had schizophrenia and who had both tragically died.

Lola believed that the condition may in part have been triggered by smoking cannabis as a way to manage childhood trauma, which she chose not to disclose the details of.

She said she can usually sense an oncoming manic episode when she starts getting strange thoughts, but is usually able to medicate to keep things under wraps, though she has previously been taken by surprise and ended up being sectioned.

Lola admitted the unpredictability of her illness makes touring difficult, and she sometimes has manic episodes that last a month and don’t sleep for several days on the trot.

Lola said that her illness can present her with a lot of guilt and shame, and that she often feels ostracised after incidents in which she has been unwell in front of people.

For ADHD information and support, call: 0808 808 3555. 

Speaking about the origins of the chart soaring tune, Messy, Lola revealed she had written it in her bedroom during a chaotic breakup

WHAT IS ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

It affects around five per cent of children in the US. Some 3.6 per cent of boys and 0.85 per cent of girls suffer in the UK. 

Symptoms typically appear at an early age and become more noticeable as a child grows. These can also include:

Constant fidgeting Poor concentrationExcessive movement or talkingActing without thinkingInability to deal with stress Little or no sense of danger Careless mistakesMood swingsForgetfulness Difficulty organising tasks Continually starting new tasks before finishing old onesInability to listen or carry out instructions 

Most cases are diagnosed between six and 12 years old. Adults can also suffer, but there is less research into this.

ADHD’s exact cause is unclear but is thought to involve genetic mutations that affect a person’s brain function and structure.

Premature babies and those with epilepsy or brain damage are more at risk. 

ADHD is also linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia, Tourette’s and epilepsy.  

There is no cure. 

A combination of medication and therapy is usually recommended to relieve symptoms and make day-to-day life easier. 

Source: NHS Choices