The former footballer has played for Arsenal WFC and played 140 games for England’s women’s national team, but reaching the peak of her career came with dangerous mental health costs. To cope with her deteriorating health, she turned to alcohol for comfort.
In an interview with Women’s Health, she described how trolling on social media – a form of cyberbullying – led her to seek therapy.
Alex said, “When I retired and started trolling, I found myself turning to drinking to try to hide, hide, everything I was feeling.
“If you looked at my daily life, many would wonder how I could be ‘depressed’. But mental illness doesn’t work like that.
“It is so easy to believe that there are people who are worse off than us and we have no right to feel sorry for ourselves. But that thought process alone can be really dangerous and lead to bigger problems.
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“I didn’t tell anyone, I didn’t tell my mother because I didn’t want her to worry or put her under such pressure. I was just that person [who thought] ‘I can take care of myself, I can handle things’, but sometimes that’s obviously the wrong way to go. “
Alex would drink a bottle of wine every night to help him fall asleep.
“I was lonely. I went home and felt like I was all alone,” said Alex. “I would think I have no one to talk to, no one knows what I am experiencing or going through. Until finally I was the only one what I could do to tell everyone.
“That was my ‘I can’t take it anymore, I have to tell you everything I’m going through’ moment.”
From here, the star began therapy and received help from an athletic mental health service set up by former England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams.
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In a recent BBC documentary – The Truth About Improving Your Mental Health – the star was diagnosed with depression.
The symptoms of depression are important to note and include the following:
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
- fatigue
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and helplessness
- Pessimism and hopelessness
- Insomnia, early morning wakefulness, or too much sleep
- Irritability or irritability
- Restlessness
- Loss of interest in things that were once pleasant, including sex
- Overeating or loss of appetite
- Pain, headache, or cramping that won’t go away
- Digestive problems that don’t get better despite treatment
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings
- Thoughts or attempted suicide.
If you or someone close to you feels uncomfortable for a long time, rather than just a few days, it is important to seek medical advice.
Alex continued: “Mental illness can affect anyone at any time – regardless of age, gender or race. It does not discriminate and for some it can come completely out of the blue. “
If you are diagnosed with depression, there are several treatment options available to you.
As Alex himself said, “Going to therapy was absolutely the most enlightening thing I have ever done in my life. I love it. I will never stop. “
Therapy can be extremely helpful and healthy, as most people participate in conversational therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Sometimes antidepressants are also prescribed. A combination of talk therapy and antidepressants is often recommended for moderate to severe depression.
Inspired by her own journey, the BBC presenter launched a new mental health platform called Headroom back in March 2021.
As an ambassador, the platform is helping to encourage the public to turn to the dedicated online resource in response to the mental health challenges posed by the pandemic.
The service includes practical everyday tips, inspiring personal stories, activities and music mixes for mood lightening, escape and relaxation.
On the platform Alex said: “I am honored to be an ambassador for BBC Headroom. This online mental health hub is a project that I’m very passionate about and believe is absolutely something we need now. “
source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/09/28/alex-scott-health-i-cant-take-it-anymore-social-media-trolls-drove-her-to-therapy/
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