SARAH Emmott, an Essex Girl who now lives in Kings Road, Stretford, has collaborated with Rachel Moorhouse to write and direct Declaration, a play about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Her doctor believes Sarah suffers from the condition but she needed to see many psychiatrists to receive a full diagnosis.

“I felt different at school. I could do science because my science teacher allowed us to act out what was happening. It helped me to learn.

“Maths was difficult because I couldn’t focus on it.

“I thought everyone else was better than me."

Despite her problems, and with the support of her ‘wonderful’ mum, she gained a degree in Performing Arts and Media Studies at Salford University.

Now 32, Sarah’s symptoms haven’t changed.

“I am hyper-active and impulsive. I interrupt people all the time. Also, I lose and forget things a lot.

“I have learnt ways to cope with it."

She met Rachel, 29, at a drama festival and they set up the theatre company Art with Heart five years ago.

“Our company deals with subjects that are difficult to talk about.

“Declaration is about how you feel when you have a partial diagnosis of ADHD and what happens to get full diagnosis which can be treated with drugs.

“Even though our production is about mental illness, it is uplifting and joyous with lots of comedy and dancing."

* Declaration is at the Lowry Studio on June 23 and June 24 at 8 pm. For tickets, telephone 0843 208 6000 or online at thelowry.com