Helen Flanagan underwent cognitive behavioural therapy after giving birth to her and Scott Sinclair’s three-year-old daughter Matilda, due to “unbearable” anxiety.
The ‘Coronation Street’ actress – who plays Rosie Webster in the soap – admits her anxiety was “unbearable” after she and partner Scott Sinclair welcomed their little one into the world three years ago, so much so she had cognitive behavioural therapy, but insists people should “not be ashamed” of mental illness.
She said:
“I’ve always struggled with anxiety and it was at its peak after having Matilda.
“It was partly why I wanted to go back to work. I didn’t get post-natal depression, but my anxiety got unbearable. I had cognitive behavioural therapy. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.”
The 28-year-old star – who also has four-month-old daughter Delilah with the professional footballer – also admits breastfeeding her daughters was the “most natural thing”, and says women “shouldn’t feel” as though they need to cover themselves.
She added to OK! magazine:
“Women shouldn’t feel they have to cover up, it’s the most natural thing.”
Helen’s comments come just a week after she admitted being “apprehensive” about breastfeeding in public at first, but the more she does it, the less she becomes aware of anyone making negative remarks.
She said:
“I’ve only had one bad experience. I think Delilah was three weeks old. I was breastfeeding in Starbucks and there was a girl opposite me, I was quite shocked, as another woman, she was making some not very nice remarks to her boyfriend.
“I do feel with breastfeeding, you do feel a bit apprehensive breastfeeding in public, the more you do it the more your confidence grows.
“If you just concentrate on your baby you become unaware of anyone else anyway. I do think it’s a great thing.
“I don’t think it makes you a better mum if you breastfeed. A happy mummy is a happy baby so whatever you decide to do. It’s just something I’m passionate about, the breastfeeding.”
