Millie Mackintosh has revealed she suffered regular panic attacks and her “nervous system was in crisis” as she struggled to balance her life as a working mother.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 35, opened up in a candid new interview about her mental health struggles and her struggles to cope with them.
She recounted how she felt like she was going through a “moment of crisis” and had to take time off in early 2024 due to exhaustion.
Millie shares two daughters, Sienna, four, and Aurelia, two, with her husband Hugo Taylor, whom she met on the reality show.
she said the sun: ‘I felt like I was in a moment of crisis where I just couldn’t face it.
Millie Mackintosh has revealed she suffered regular panic attacks and her “nervous system was in crisis” as she struggled to balance her life as a working mother.
The former Made in Chelsea star, 35, opened up in a candid new interview about her mental health struggles and how she finds it difficult to cope.
‘I was really too tired. I was taking on a lot. I had a lot of stress, I didn’t handle it very well, and my body was giving me signals that, ‘Hey, you need to slow down.’
‘I was suffering quite a few panic attacks and my nervous system was really in crisis. I had to take some time off.’
He added that he now tries to make fewer plans and doesn’t mind as much if his “diary isn’t full every day.”
Millie also doesn’t drink anymore after realizing that alcohol made her anxiety much worse.
It comes after Millie made the decision earlier this summer to take medication to combat her anxiety after it left her in “constant fear” and caused panic attacks “every few days”.
The reality star first opened up about her struggle with anxiety in 2018, with her symptoms coming to a head when she was pregnant with her first daughter, Sienna.
She revealed in July that she had been back on medication for six months and her husband Hugo, 38, even commented that he feels like he has the old Millie back.
Despite suffering from severe anxiety and depression for several years, Millie took medication for the first time in 2022 and came off it six months later.
She told how she felt like she was going through a ‘crisis moment’ and had to take time off in early 2024 due to exhaustion.
Millie shares two daughters, Sienna, four, and Aurelia, two, with her husband Hugo Taylor, whom she met on the reality show.
Millie, who also shares her second daughter, Aurelia, with Hugo, wrote on Instagram: “I’ve been thinking about this for a while but I wanted to wait until I felt ready to talk about it.”
‘We are told that the start of a new year should be greeted with excitement and enthusiasm for what the next 12 months will bring.
‘For me, 2024 started with my anxiety at an all-time high, panic attacks every few days, living in constant fear, not being able to stop the daily tears and feeling insecure in my own body.
‘Not only did being on high alert all the time affect my sleep, from wanting to sleep all day (knowing I couldn’t) to being too exhausted at night and plagued with insomnia, but meal times became a trigger unwanted that affected my ability to eat and lost weight drastically in a very short period of time, all of which led to physical, mental and emotional exhaustion.
‘My usual tools just weren’t working and although I knew that returning to therapy with my psychiatrist could lead me down a path I had tried to avoid for the past two years, I knew I needed help and I had to do it. Placing my trust in a professional who would have a clearer idea of how to get me back on track.
‘As I suspected and, to be honest, feared, the suggestion of medication, along with regular ongoing therapy incorporating a combined CBT and EMDR approach, were the first protocols to be implemented. The second was to scale back my efforts immediately and take some time off so I could reestablish and rebuild some solid foundations for when I started returning to life and work.
‘Although I knew it was the right decision, going back on medication caused me even more anxiety as my previous experience had not been good, so I ruled out this option years ago and even talked about it on my Podcast.
‘I had the idea that all medications would make me feel the same. Of course, that’s not actually true, when you have the right support and guidance, which is essential especially when adjusting and treating side effects, the outcome can be positive.’
And he concluded: “The title continues in the carousel.”
The carousel began with a photo of a smiling Millie, before the caption continued: “I now understand, after constant therapy, that I had been pretending to be fine for a long time.”
‘Not only to the outside world but also to myself: denial is a wonderful thing, until you can’t pretend anymore!
‘I had been living with high-functioning depression and anxiety for years, removing alcohol from my life two years ago was the first step in truly looking at myself and nurturing the parts that needed healing.
‘I realized that part of my resistance to taking medication was shame and what people would think, as I had previously expressed that it didn’t work for me and by prioritizing wellness practices I felt much better, which I did for a while. time.
Although the stigma around mental health and medication has come a long way in recent years, it still has its benefits.
“I’m happy to share that I’m on medication, but it’s always quickly followed by “but it’s just a low dose and I don’t plan on taking it for long,” as that somehow makes me less of a target for people’s comments.
“All I know is that I’m 6 months into my journey and slowly but surely I’m starting to see myself in the mirror again and feel more like myself than I have in years, even Hugo feels like he has my old self back.
‘Everyone’s journey is different and medications are not for everyone. I would love to stop taking medications in the future, but I’m not going to draw a hard line about it.
‘Right now, I’m focused on therapy, truly knowing myself and understanding the causes of anxiety, panic attacks and depression.
She told The Sun of her struggles: “It felt like a crisis moment where I just couldn’t cope.”
It comes after Millie made the decision earlier this summer to take medication to combat her anxiety after it left her in “constant fear” and caused panic attacks “every few days”.
“At least now I can make up for that by being able to feel joy, the ability to laugh and mean it, and the energy to do the things I know are essential for my body and mind (biohacking, breathing, supplements, exercise, meditation ).
‘Medication is just another part of my self-care routine that helps me feel really good. Your journey is unique and it’s okay to get help in whatever way works best for you. Just know that you are not alone. There is strength in seeking help.
Millie ended her post with powerful words: ‘If you’re struggling, @Mind Charity has great resources. Please don’t close yourself. There are people who care, listen and help!
If you are struggling with your mental health, visit www.mind.org.uk