Frankie Bridge fears she will always have to live with anxiety and depression.
The star, 31, has battled mental health issues for a decade.
Today, in a candid interview, she reveals her problems are so severe she may never beat them.
Frankie said: “I still have bad days. You get to a point where you realise it’s not something that can be fixed.
“In the past I’ve thought, ‘I want this gone, I want it fixed.’ But that’s not always possible.
“A lot of people make that mistake when they are trying to help a family member or a friend.
“But they need to realise it’s not about fixing the situation – it’s about controlling it and learning about it.”
Frankie Bridge has opened up about her mental health battle (Image: PA)
Frankie’s lowest point came in 2011, when her depression became so serious she was hospitalised.
At times she has had suicidal thoughts.
But The Saturdays singer says that telling others about her problems has saved her life.
She said: “It takes you from being alone and trying to handle it on your own to having someone to support you and help you through.
“Meditation and therapy have helped me too. But, of course, that all happened because I started the conversation.”
Frankie is married to former footballer Wayne Bridge (Image: Getty Images)
Frankie, who is married to former footballer Wayne Bridge – with whom she has sons Parker, six, and Carter, five – is an ambassador for mental health charity Mind.
Fans regularly tell her about their own struggles.
Frankie said: “People really open up to me. There is a pressure there when you take on other people’s mental health problems because I can only help to a certain extent.
“But I try to get back to as many people as I can.
“I think often people have got to that point where they are desperate and don’t really know where else to turn. So it’s sad and lovely all at the same time. And it works both ways – talking about it helps me too.”
Frankie is fronting a campaign for a low-alcohol spirit (Image: Getty Images)
Alcohol can make depression and anxiety worse. Frankie has always been careful not to binge drink as it might worsen her problems.
She said: “Alcohol affects everyone differently. It’s about having everything in moderation.
“But it might be better to be aware of how much you’re drinking if you do have mental health problems. For me, I don’t like feeling out of control.
“Also, I’ve had one proper hangover and it put me off for life. I felt awful. I don’t think it’s worth drinking that much and having a great night if you’re going to feel horrendous for all of the next day.
“I was lucky I didn’t have work the next day. I don’t see how people do it and then go and do a job.”
Frankie is fronting a campaign to promote a low-alcohol spirit.
Atopia has an alcohol by volume rate of just 0.5%, compared with 40% for regular spirits.
See www.mind.org.uk. To talk to someone urgently about mental health worries, please call the Samaritans on 116 123.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
