Danielle Lloyd thinks she had a breakdown because she couldn’t get pregnant.
Danielle Lloyd
The 36-year-old former glamour model – who has sons Archie, 10, Harry, nine, and George, seven, from a previous relationship and three-year-old Ronnie with husband Michael O’Neill – recently revealed she’d sought help for depression and anxiety after hitting rock bottom in September, and she thinks she’s been trapped in a vicious circle with her moods and desire to have another baby.
She said: "I think it was a build up of a few things - lockdown and not getting pregnant.
"We haven't been trying for a baby but we haven't been careful and it just hasn't happened. I've been feeling so depressed, I don't think that's helped with trying to get pregnant."
Although Danielle was offered therapy after her breakdown, she decided against it because she has so much support around her.
She added: “When I broke down, I was just uncontrollably crying. Michael was so supportive and he understood exactly what I meant when I was saying, 'I don't feel myself'.
"I think he'd noticed, but until you notice yourself and you're ready to say, 'Yes, there's something wrong with me and I'm not coping OK', then it's hard.
"Michael and I have such a good relationship, we can tell each other everything. He's been absolutely amazing through it all."
"I did have the option of a therapist but because I've got so many supportive people around me - Michael, my mum and dad and Michael's mum - I can just literally pick up the phone or speak to Michael. So I don't feel alone."
And Danielle has been touched by the kindness of strangers.
She told Closer magazine: "Somebody from Instagram sent me two self-help books and crystals through my mum. I love things like that.
“I didn't even know that person but it was so nice because she'd obviously seen that I was speaking about being down.
"I've always been open on social media and I think it's so important to speak out about things like mental health."
The former 'Celebrity Big Brother' star is beginning to feel better and is hoping to come off medication next year.
She said: "Sometimes you just need to ask for that little bit of help.
"I'm feeling so much better now. I'm not as snappy and I feel a lot calmer.
"I'm going to stay on the medication for six months and see how I feel and then I think the doctor will start weaning me off them because you can't just stop completely. I don't want to be on them for life.”
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