Denise Welch suffered depressive episode just TWO MONTHS ago: 'I’m not as frightened now'
DENISE WELCH has been open about her mental health for quite some time, but she still gets bouts of depression when she least expects them.
Denise Welch has opened up about her battle with depression
The actress admitted that she no longer "compounds" how she feels by drinking and knows how to cope best after recently suffering from an episode just weeks ago.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, the 58-year-old opened up about living with depression as well as her upcoming 60th birthday.
Denise commented: "The last episode I had was two months ago for three days. I no longer compound my illness with alcohol – I won that battle five years ago – but I still have episodes."
The former Coronation Street regular continued: "A lot of mine are endogenous, I wake up and it’s there.
Denise Welch suffered from an episode just two months ago
Denise Welch said she now knows how to deal with her depression best
I no longer compound my illness with alcohol, I won that battle five years ago!
"I was talking to Freddie Flintoff at the Mind Awards, and we both have the same manifestation of our illness."
Denise went on to say she knew how to be "kinder to herself" when her depression took hold, and no longer made herself continue as normal.
"I’ve worked through several nervous breakdowns because I didn’t want to let people down… I’m not as frightened of them now because I know it will lift," the mother-of-two said.
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Denise celebrates the big 6-0 in May next year, but, thanks to being in a happier place, is looking forward to celebrating.
She added: "I don’t have a problem with turning 60, I feel better mentally and physically in my late 50s than I did in my 30s and 40s.
"I went a say the word 60, I still think of it being my dad’s age, but we all know what the alternatives are… Bring it on."