'I feel a little unnerved, confused and unsteady': Love Island's Dr Alex George reveals 'raw' health diagnosis
Love Island star Dr Alex George has asked for love as he has revealed a health diagnosis he is ‘still trying to get his head around’.
The 34-year-old former reality star and NHS doctor took to his Instagram to share a statement about his recent autism diagnosis.
Dr George has spoken candidly about other conditions he has, and also previously shared that he was going through an autism assessment.
The star was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in September 2022. Then last year, in 2025, he was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Speaking about his latest diagnosis, Dr George wrote: “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.
“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.
“I had to take some time to let it all sink in. The words ‘gosh I really do sound autistic’ did come to my mind.
“I can't explain how weird it is to be able to understand what I never could see. I feel a little unnerved, confused and unsteady I guess. Not because I think it's a bad thing or even a good thing, it's just a lot, you know?
“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. And I get that now 100%.
“I can finally see and begin to understand why I am the way I am. I have all the pieces of the jigsaw at last. It only took 34 years.”
Dr George said the diagnosis has made certain routines he has, such as his “hair dryer obsession”, make sense. He added that he thinks it will help his relationships “no end” because it means he understands himself more, and in turn he hopes it will help people understand him.
He continued: “There is so much to say and in time I will say more. But right now I just wanted to get this weight off my shoulders, I feel as if I am keeping a secret. Because this page has always been about sharing my experiences in the hope someone out there doesn't feel alone.
“I am still figuring out what that means for me but right know I just wanted to let you know, I am autistic.
He ended with thanks for medical professionals and his family, and also an encouraging message: “Thank you for the doctors who looked after me, my family and loved ones who took part in a process that isn't easy for them at all. Especially my mam. I love you so much.
“This is still so raw and new to me. I have a lot to process so I do need time for this to sink in fully. I will leave you with this thought. 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.”
Dr George, who was a Love Island cast member in 2018, received many messages of support from his 2.2 million followers. When one person asked “do you need anything?”, he replied “just love”.
Another person said: “Alex u are amazing and don’t ever forget that. U are so inspiring to so many people, me included. U are so intelligent and I have learned so much from u.” “You’re still our Alex”, one fan wrote.
Some people shared their own experiences. One said: “Oh I’m so happy for you, the affirming feeling of “my life makes sense” is indescribable. I’m awaiting my assessment as we speak, the more I’ve learnt about it, the more grace I’ve given myself - these things may not just be character flaws, or me not being enough, they may just be that I am wired that way.”
A second said: “My daughter was diagnosed almost 2 years ago now and I've learned so much about myself since then too. It's a major realisation and sudden understanding of all those times things felt hard or you felt a little different. Sending hugs.”
The common signs of autism in adults, according to the NHS, include finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling, getting very anxious about social situations, finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own, seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to, finding it hard to say how you feel, taking things very literally – for example, you may not understand sarcasm or phrases like "break a leg" and having the same routine every day and getting very anxious if it changes.