Megan Schutt on ADHD Diagnosis, Medication and Life in Elite Cricket
Image sourceabc.net.au
Key Takeaways
- ›Megan Schutt was diagnosed with ADHD in her early 30s after years of using cricket as an emotional regulator.
- ›Medication has helped calm her off-field emotional reactions and reduced mental clutter when batting.
- ›Australian teammates Darcie Brown and Georgia Wareham noted a positive change in her temperament.
- ›Schutt requires a strict Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) that must be updated annually or upon dosage adjustments.
- ›She recently served a two-match ban due to compliance issues surrounding prescription medication protocols.
Australian pace spearhead Megan Schutt has opened up about receiving an adult ADHD diagnosis, explaining how medication and a clearer understanding of her neurodivergence have reshaped her emotional regulation and perspective on elite sport.
Speaking to ABC Sport, the 33-year-old veteran of nearly 14 years in international cricket revealed she was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder last year, joining a growing cohort of women diagnosed later in life.
abc.net.au: Megan has a daughter Rylee that she shares with ex-wife, Jess. ( Getty: Hannah Peters )
Regulating Emotion on and off the Pitch
Known across world cricket for her fierce competitiveness and swing bowling, Schutt noted that the game historically acted as a crucial emotional outlet. While she could maintain discipline within the boundary ropes, managing minor frustrations off the field proved far more challenging prior to her diagnosis.
"Cricket has been a great regulator for me," Schutt told ABC Sport. "I've always been able to control myself on the field and then I'd come off and blow my fuse at spilling a cup of coke or something, so that was a real sign."
Schutt reflected that understanding her brain has helped explain a tendency toward quick anger during her youth, allowing her to better manage emotional reactions and ease self-criticism regarding rest and recovery as an ageing athlete.
abc.net.au: Teammates have seen a change in Schutt's mood since she started taking medication. ( Getty: Chris Hyde )
Impact of Medication and Administrative Demands
The Australian quick explained that starting prescription medication brought noticeable changes, with national teammates Darcie Brown and Georgia Wareham joking that she had become considerably friendlier around the group.
While Schutt believes her bowling remains fundamentally unchanged, she noted that the medication has simplified her mental processing with the bat by quietening excessive clutter and overthinking during shot selection.
As an internationally tested athlete, managing ADHD treatment involves navigating strict anti-doping protocols. Schutt requires a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) endorsed by her medical team, a clearance subject to annual reviews or updates whenever dosages shift.
The administrative burden recently resulted in on-field consequences. Schutt served a two-match suspension for failing to comply with prescription medication protocol requirements, ruling her out of the third T20 International against New Zealand and the Adelaide Strikers' Women's Big Bash League season opener.
Sourcesabc.net.au
FAQ
When was Megan Schutt diagnosed with ADHD?
Megan Schutt received her ADHD diagnosis last year, in her early 30s.
How has medication affected Megan Schutt's cricket?
Schutt explained that while her bowling is largely unchanged, the medication clears mental clutter during shot selection when batting, and teammates noted she is calmer around the squad.
Why does Megan Schutt need a Therapeutic Use Exemption?
As an elite athlete subject to regular anti-doping testing, Schutt requires an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) from medical professionals to take her prescribed ADHD medication.
