Downton Abbey star Tuppence Middleton said her mental health struggles often means she is late for work, and she is unable to cope with sudden changes in plan or routine
Downton Abbey star Tuppence Middleton has spoken about the mental health problem that leaves her struggling every day. Tuppence, 37, who played Lucy, wife of Tom in Downton, suffers with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
The OCD leaves her opening and closing her front door eight times when she leaves the house, photographing her appliances every day and fearing supermarkets.
In an extract from her new book Scorpions, she said: “My mind is full of scorpions. Devious, nimble little beasts that have occupied my head for the best part of 30 years. A cerebral itch, impossible to scratch. They wield their own special power over my brain, shaping the architecture and rhythm of my thoughts.
“I know these creatures well, but they know me better. I am their dutiful puppet, stuck inside an endless loop of sleepless nights and watchful days. They answer to another name, this nest of scorpions: obsessive compulsive disorder.”
Tuppence has said the OCD often means she is late for work, and she is unable to cope with sudden changes in plan or routine. Tuppence said: “It is leaving the house that presents me with the biggest challenge. In the midst of my obsessive thought cycles, I might send a quick message to my agent/friend/family member to say I am running late. Transport issues, I’ll say. Then I start my counting to eight routine again.
“Close and lock the front door. Pull at the door’s handle for a count of 8, to make sure it is firmly closed. Push against the door for a count of 8, to make sure it can’t be pushed open. Pull the door for a count of 8. Push the door for a count of 8. Pull the door for a count of 8. Push the door for a count of 8. Pull the door for a count of 8. Push the door for a count of 8. Continue until I am satisfied it is closed.
“I have begun to rely on a fairly simple coping mechanism: taking photographs. I have an online photo album that is forever in a state of full capacity due to the excess of mundane domestic photography I insist on housing there. I take and keep photographs of doors, ovens, locks, fridges, windows, lamps, candles and plug sockets, with the sole purpose of calming my anxious future mind.
“I have more photographs of doors on my phone than I have of my friends.’
Tuppence also revealed she has emetophobia – the fear of being sick.
Speaking with The Guardian in 2021, Tuppence, from Bristol, said OCD is often made fun of’ and associated with obsessive cleaning and tidying, but that it’s different for everyone.
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) is a mental health condition characterized by:
OCD is not just about being “neat” or “organized”-it can be distressing and time-consuming, interfering with daily life. Treatment options include therapy (like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention) and medication (such as SSRIs).
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
