Loose Women host Andrea McLean reveals she was suicidal at her lowest point as she opens up about anxiety battle
LOOSE Women host Andrea McLean has revealed her battle with anxiety left her considering suicide. The 50-year-old bravely spoke about her mental health and how attempts to overcome her overwhelming anxiety came to a crashing halt following a “spat” with her husband Nick Feeney. Andrea added that she was in such a terrible state of […]
LOOSE Women host Andrea McLean has revealed her battle with anxiety left her considering suicide.
The 50-year-old bravely spoke about her mental health and how attempts to overcome her overwhelming anxiety came to a crashing halt following a “spat” with her husband Nick Feeney.
Andrea added that she was in such a terrible state of mind at the time that their “trivial” argument and prior events, unknown to her husband and family, left her unable to cope.
Andrea, who has been on anti-anxiety medication since December 2018, told the Daily Mail: “At my lowest point, I was suicidal. This is the first time I’ve admitted that.
“Alone in my hotel room, I wanted to end it all right then. I felt Nick couldn’t see my side of things at all — and if someone who loved me as much as he did failed to see it, what was the point?
“And yet I couldn’t do it. I didn’t want to hurt my family — Nick, 47, my beloved third husband, and my two wonderful teenagers; 18-year-old Finlay from my first marriage and 13-year-old Amy from my second.
“I thought they would be ashamed that I’d been so weak. I lay on the floor of my room and sobbed.”
Andrea said that she had been struggling with her anxiety for months unbeknown to her family and friends.
The TV star recalled breaking down in tears in a supermarket and then another time when she struggled to breathe after an argument with another driver.
She also admitted that her anxiety got so overwhelming that she couldn’t bring herself to attend the NTAs with her Loose Women co-stars and instead arrived alone after crying on her way to the red carpet.
All her emotions finally came to a crescendo when she broke down in tears in the make-up chair before she was due to front Loose Women last summer.
Her friend and make-up artist Donna urged her to seek help and eventually Andrea was able to feel hopeful again after seeing a psychotherapist.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
In 2018, Andrea previously shared that she suffers from crippling panic attacks after going through the menopause.
The Loose Women star opened up about the toll the change has had on her mental health in her book, Confessions of a Menopausal Woman.
Andrea wrote the book in a bid to help other women cope with the change their body – and minds – go through.
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She explained: “It now paralyses me. It swallows me up. I can’t think straight, or focus. I’m convinced that I’m stupid, ugly and unlovable.”
Andrea admitted she also suffers from terrible panic attacks which leave her feeling like she is unable to breathe.
The TV star added: “At its worst, during a panic attack, I feel as if I’m swelling – ballooning – and that my mouth is becoming a gaping hole in my head.”