'I was different' Springwatch's Chris Packham opens up about Asperger's and depression
SPRINGWATCH presenter Chris Packham has revealed his struggles with Asperger's syndrome and depression after releasing a tell-all memoir about his life.
Chris Packham has opened up about having Asperger's syndrome and depression
The 55-year-old is best-known for his love of wildlife, but he has now given fans a deeper insight into his personal struggles.
Admitting that he couldn't write about his life without including his experience of autism, the TV star said it was important to tell the whole truth.
"When you have Asperger's you experience things more intensely and in greater detail than other people," he told the Metro.
"We have heightened sensory perceptions so I can remember my experiences as a kid as vividly now as when they happened.
Chris presenter Springwatch with Michaela Strachan
The BBC presenter said it was important to tell the whole truth about his personal life
When you have Asperger's you experience things more intensely and in greater detail than other people
"There was no way I could write about my childhood and getting into wildlife without Asperger's being apparent. One of the problems we face these days is we sanitise everything.
"There are so many people trying to sanitise the truth and to try to make it work in their favour and I don't subscribe to that. People on the whole respect honesty because there's so little of it," he added.
As a very successful small screen host, mostly for the BBC, Chris insisted that his colleagues are extremely supportive and make allowances for his diagnosis.
"All the people I work with have known about the Asperger's," he continued. "They've had to make a few concessions to make life easier for me.
"I'm conscious of that - I don't want to be a nuisance to anyone because I'm slightly different to them. People are very supportive. I hope people won't treat me differently.
Chris admitted that he contemplated suicide when he was battling with depression
Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan disagree on Springwatch start time
"I have to make sure it's a constructive thing, not negative - and it is in that I'm always on time and prepared. And I'm willing to make the tea and carry the tripod," he explained.
In a shock confession, the naturalist also spoke of the time he contemplated suicide after battling with depression for years.
"We have an extremely high suicide rate among young men because of the pressures they face and the fact they don't talk about it because it's seen as a sign of weakness and that it still, unbelievably, carries a social stigma," Chris said.
"The only way to address that is to discuss it publicly, so perhaps more people will speak out and realise if they become ill in that way they can get assistance."