Grimes Opens Up About Her ADHD and Autism Diagnosis
Canadian musician Grimes has revealed that she has been diagnosed with both ADHD and autism. In an open post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on March 21, she reflected on what that meant for her, noting that it also made her realize she might be dyslexic because she does not spell well without spellcheck.
Interestingly, Grimes shared that she's grateful the diagnosis came later in life. She believes that if she had known earlier, it could have altered her motivation and led her down a more difficult path. “I might not have pushed myself as hard,” she wrote, adding that her unique interests and intense drive might have been misunderstood or labeled negatively during childhood. She also speculated that early medical intervention could have led to being medicated unnecessarily.
Concerns Over Online Mental Health Advice
Grimes expressed unease over the rising tendency for individuals to self-diagnose via the Internet, ringing alarm bells about the dangers of misinformation. According to her, the social media sites that disseminate dubious mental health advice have an alarming subculture, with several of these websites doing more harm than good by trivializing or misrepresenting serious disorders like ADHD.
She emphasized that in her experience, ADHD symptoms were significantly worse when she wasn't regularly reading books. She criticized certain online content that discourages reading—something she believes is a powerful tool for managing ADHD and fostering independent learning. Calling out this narrative as harmful, she warned that such content could steer young people away from healthy habits.
Grimes also suggested that a large portion of what people identify as ADHD symptoms today might stem from digital overstimulation and chronic screen usage, not neurodivergence alone.
I have to say, there's this subculture of I guess "mental health" accounts that I actually think are like, extreme infohazards.
— ?????? ⏳ (@Grimezsz) March 22, 2025
Got diagnosed w adhd/ autism this year and realized I'm prob dyslexic which is why I can't spell at all without spellcheck - I feel like, had we… https://t.co/2zzT91z0QJ
Ongoing Struggles with Her Children’s Public Exposure
Grimes talked about a very personal subject—her efforts and determination to keep her kids, the ones she had with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, out of public view. Although the couple separated in 2021, she has continued to be vocal about their privacy. One of the children was photographed in a very public situation with Musk, an act Grimes fiercely disapproves of.
She expressed her frustration at being powerless to remove images and information about her kids from the internet. Legal action, public pleas, and private requests to Musk have all fallen short. “The fact that I can’t protect my kids’ privacy keeps me up at night,” she shared. “I wish there were laws that let parents stop this kind of exposure, but I don’t even trust the legal system to help anymore.”
Hoping for Healthier Interactions with Fans
Grimes finished her reflections wishing for a more supportive and respectful dynamic between her fan community. While some fans are kind and understanding, she said, parts of her online following have become increasingly negative or toxic. She wishes for more thoughtful conversations in the future.
