A North Somerset man who hit ‘rock bottom’ has risen up to create his own business to help people like him.

Jamie Vasilyan, aged 38, was diagnosed with ADHD in 2004 when he was 24 years old and suffered from behavioural and learning difficulties as a result.

He said: “I was at rock bottom, depressed and suicidal, and to top it all, I was one of the unlucky 20 per cent for whom medication does not work. Worse still, I had terrible side effects.

“At the time I had also broken up from my longest relationship ever, was finding it impossible to keep down a job, and became homeless to boot.

“I received medication for ADHD, but within weeks became deeply depressed and suicidal.

“The psychiatrist then prescribed me mood stabilisers and tranquillisers. But my response to him was unequivocal.”

Jamie, from Congresbury, suffered from headaches, dizziness, dehydration and tourette’s syndrome before he decided to stop taking the medication and find another solution.

He then met Sara, a hypnotherapist who helped him cope with his ADHD and encouraged him to be positive and meditate.

After years of highs and lows, Jamie applied as a support worker with autistic and ADHD clients and used meditation to help him stay positive and focused.

He said: “I went on to create my first hypnosis practice, seeing 15 clients a week, in addition to my day job, and I helped many people overcome anxiety, depression, and trauma.

“Over the years I also helped many children with ADHD, behavioural problems, and anger. And this, I realised, is where my passion lies because of my own experience of overcoming ADHD.”

Jamie is now qualified hypnotherapist and set up ADDvantage Hypnotherapy to help adults and children with the symptoms.

The business offers coaching to people with ADHD and to help people stay motivated and to encourage people to flourish.

Jamie said: “Many well known people such as Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, Richard Branson, Jim Carrey, and many entrepreneurs, sportsmen and athletes, have had ADHD and thrived with it. And others can too. I should know, because I have learned to, and I am no more special than they are.”