Singer Robbie Williams has revealed he was diagnosed with depression at the start of the year, for the first time in a decade.
Former Take That star Robbie has been open about his struggles with his mental health in the past. He has battled addiction, anxiety and agoraphobia.
However, at the start of this year, Robbie started taking appetite suppressants to lose weight and, after he “stopped eating”, he quickly became physically and mentally unwell.
Take That star Robbie Williams reveals mental health issues
Speaking to The Mirror, Robbie revealed: “The year started with some ill mental health, which I haven’t had for a very, very long time. I was sad, I was anxious, I was depressed. It’s been about 10 years. I thought I was at the other end of the arc. I thought this was the end of my story, and that I would just go walking into this marvelous wonderland. So for it to return was just confusing.”
Soon, the singer realised that his diet was affecting his mental health. Having turned to a weight-loss drug and shedding nearly two stone, 51-year-old Robbie – who has body dysmorphia – was told he was deficient in Vitamin C and was suffering from scurvy.
“I’d stopped eating and I wasn’t getting nutrients,” he said, calling scurvy “a 17th century pirate disease”.
Wife Ayda’s concerns
Outside factors were affecting the singer’s mental health, too. His mum Janet has dementia. The singer’s dad Pete has Parkinson’s. His mother-in-law Gwen has cervical cancer.
Wife Ayda Field – who Robbie shares kids Teddy, 12, Charlie, 10, Coco, six, and Beau, four, with – shared her concern. Robbie said the Loose Women panelist, 45, asked him: “If your depression could talk, what would it say?”
Robbie explained it wasn’t just one thing leaving him struggling, it was “just a pervasive feeling”.
He also revealed Ayda expressed her concerns that he was becoming too thin. But, as someone with body dysmorphia, he just thought “jackpot, I’ve reached the promised land”.
Dark cloud lifted after Robbie changed his diet
After changing his diet, Robbie said his depression gradually lifted. And, he said, that he realises he needs to be there to support Ayda during her mum’s ill health.
“We’re a unit and it’s a lot to navigate. It’s a lot to be patient, love yourself and love those while they’re experiencing what they’re experiencing. The most important thing is for yourself to be okay. And if you are okay, then you can attack anything that comes your way,” he added.
Read more: Robbie Williams and Ayda Field issued warning over ‘sex-less’ marriage
Share your thoughts on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.