Linda Robson has revealed that she ‘blamed herself’ when she was battling with OCD and alcoholism.
The Loose Women panellist, 61, admitted that during her mental health struggles, she misunderstood the root cause of her problems, and it wasn’t until she checked into rehab that she was able to work through her issues.
In an interview with her friend Jane Moore for The Sun, Linda confessed that although she had pinpointed her problems on alcohol, it was actually an allergic reaction to a particular anti-depressant that was making her unwell.
Struggles: Linda Robson has revealed that she ‘blamed herself’ when she was battling with OCD and alcoholism as she misunderstood the root cause of her problems
Recalling the moment she had this pointed out to her at The Priory, she explained: No one had said it to me before… All these things I’d blamed myself for weren’t actually my fault.
‘It was a relief because it could be fixed.’
Linda was rushed to rehab by Stacey Solomon in July 2018 when she suffered a breakdown during a trip to Ibiza with her Loose Women co-stars.
Battle: Linda confessed that although she had pinpointed her problems on alcohol, it was actually an allergic reaction to a particular anti-depressant that was making her unwell.
After a two month stay in the clinic, Linda still wanted to face her struggle with alcoholism and attended Alcoholics Anonymous, earning her 90-day sobriety token, but she has since stopped attending meetings.
Now Linda ensures she looks after her well-being with twice weekly yoga sessions and volunteering at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
The Birds Of A Feather actress also revealed that she is taking one low dose of anti-depressant daily and has regular six-week check ups with a doctor to monitor her progress.
Last week, Linda revealed to the publication that she was rushed to rehab by Stacey Solomon in July 2018 when she suffered a breakdown during a trip to Ibiza with her Loose Women co-stars.
She explained her anxiety stems back to 2008, when her son Louis, now 28, had been out with friend Ben Kinsella the night Ben was stabbed and died at the scene.
Linda is also mother to two daughters Lauren, 37, and Roberta, 24 – and struggled with anxiety as well as OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).
Linda reached breaking point 10 years later during a trip to Ibiza with her Loose Women co-stars Stacey, Nadia Sawalha, Andrea McLean, Kaye Adams and Saira Khan.
Friends: Linda was rushed to rehab by Stacey Solomon in July 2018 when she suffered a breakdown during a trip to Ibiza with her Loose Women co-stars
She has since been on the road to recovery and hadn’t been seen on ITV’s Loose Women since January 2019.
Linda announced in October last year that she would be returning to the show and viewers saw her address her absence live on the show on her return last month.
Speaking about her recovery, Linda told the panel: ‘It took me a long time to get back to feeling normal.’
She discussed the moment she broke down in Ibiza on the show, with her co-stars sharing their concerns.
Healthy: Now Linda ensures she stays healthy by looking after her well-being with twice weekly yoga sessions and volunteering at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
Nadia Sawalha said: ‘We were all really worried… we were so worried we watched you losing weight, talked about how you yourself, it was like a dimmer switch dimming down, we were losing you.
‘Our fear was you might have dementia, then it all came to a head where we had an intense night.’
A tearful Stacey Solomon went on: ‘It was a really intense night, where I saw your severe OCD in action, sometimes we joke about it, but actually watching you…
‘Your phone had to be charged 100% every two mins, oh It’s 99%. Straight in the same direction to the charging point. Chargers after chargers.’
If you need confidential help with alcohol abuse call Alcoholic Anonymous free on 0800 9177 650 or email [email protected]
If you need confidential help with depression or mental health call Samaritans free 116 123 or email [email protected]
Progress: The Birds Of A Feather actress also takes one low dose of anti-depressant daily and has regular six-week check ups with a doctor to monitor her progress