Yahoo News Strictly's Brian Conley shares anxiety battle
Brain Conley has opened up about his struggles with anxiety and depression.
The actor, who is currently starring on this year's Strictly Come Dancing, revealed that his mental health suffered when his father died in 1998, and explained that he would drink alcohol as a coping mechanism.
"If you have anxiety, people always want to drink to relieve that flame, but that's like putting fire out with petrol because when you wake up in the morning you will have much more anxiety than ever before," he told The Mirror.
"It was like, 'You're a champagne bottle, you've been trying to push it down and have to let out those emotions and learn to cry'. I hadn't.
"I was never an [alcoholic], but it was always there. It was in the corner, 'Let's have a social drink tonight', and I thought, 'I can't do this any more'."
After seeking help from a counsellor, Brian gave up alcohol and hasn't drunk any in 13 years.
He has also learned new methods such as mindfulness to help him cope with his anxiety.
"To help me sleep and things like that, I do go through certain things I have learnt with mindfulness," he added.
"Focussing on your body... it really is about breathing, staying in the moment.
"Anxiety is the future, depression is the past, happiness is right here, right now. If I wasn't in a good place, I couldn't do what I do now."
Readers affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans free on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk).
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
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