What's Normal Anyway? : Celebrities' Own Stories of Mental Illness

With one in four people in the UK suffering from some sort of mental illness in their lifetime, everybody knows somebody who is affected. It could be a family member, friend, neighbour, or colleague; now, or one day, it could be you. Through candid first-person accounts from some of the most well-known people in their fields -- including an actor, footballer, TV presenter, Olympic medallist, two politicians, and a broadcaster and author -- this book illustrates how nobody is immune from mental illness. Talking bravely and openly, the celebrities featured here tell their own personal stories of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, nervous breakdowns, suicide attempts and psychiatric wards. Their accounts lay bare the depths of their suffering, the effect on their families, their experiences of stigma, and their passion to fight the social taboos still attached to mental health disorders. They chart the successes and failures of various treatments and techniques, from traditional talking therapies and medication, to visualisation and relaxation, exercise and nutrition, spirituality and self-reflection. Moreover, their stories are also ones of recovery, positivity, self-awareness, acceptance, and peace-illustrations of how mental illness does not have to be a bar to achievement, happiness, and fulfilment in life. They offer practical coping strategies, hope for the future, and solace for everyone out there who feels they are suffering alone Nobody is immune from mental ill health, not even celebrities . . . We all know someone who suffers from mental illness. It may be a family member, friend, neighbour, or colleague. Now or in the future, it might be you. Here, for the first time, ten celebrities share their experiences of conditions including depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder and OCD, eating disorders and body dysmorphia. From Premiership footballer Dean Windass, to TV presenter Trisha Goddard, their candid first-person accounts detail the day-to-day reality of living with a mental health disorder, as well as the nervous breakdowns, stays in psychiatric hospitals, and suicide attempts. They also show that, ultimately, mental illness need not limit achievement, happiness, and fulfilment in life. These frank and honest stories help us to better understand mental illness, offer practical coping strategies, and give encouragement and solace for everyone out there who feels they are suffering alone. What’s Normal Anyway? shows that nobody is immune from mental ill health and shares powerful messages of positivity and hope. Contributors include: Bill Oddie, Alicia Douvall, Alastair Campbell, Stephanie Cole, Kevan Jones, Dean Windass, Trisha Goddard, Charles Walker, Tasha Danvers and Richard Mabey.