Brian May opens up about being 'engulfed' by depression during Christmas period
Legendary Queen guitarist has opened up about how depression “paralyses” him during the Christmas period.
The 72-year-old made the candid comments writing on his personal blog, and also discussed using the new year to try veganism throughout January to try and help the planet.
Discussing his mental health, the star wrote: “Most of this Christmas period I haven’t wanted to show my face because my face was grim.
Read more: Brian May Shares Photos from 'Pilgrimage' to Freddie Mercury's Childhood Home in Zanzibar
“There’s something about this time of the year that paralyses me. Depression, hopelessness, fear... I get engulfed. Is it logical?
“No. Should I be grateful for my life and therefore NOT depressed? Yes. But none of that makes any difference when you look up and the colours have gone out of the world.”
The guitarist said he was “wrenching” himself back into “normality” with “biking, stretching and hot and cold showering”.
May, added he hopes to “lessen the load on our groaning planet” and improve his health by taking part in Veganuary.
“As an animal campaigner, it has been bothering me for a while that I still eat animal-derived food, that has caused indignity and pain to a non-human animal,” he wrote.
“So I will try to move along the line.
“I won’t be pressuring anyone else to do the same, and it won’t change my commitment to helping farmers solve the problem of bovine TB.
“But for me it’s time.”
Read more: Freddie Mercury's one true love revealed
The star has been open about his struggles with depression in the past, saying he has had spells of the debilitating condition since childhood.
He has also previously admitting to feeling suicidal after the death of his dad and his former band mate Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991.
However, he says wife actress Anita Dobson helped him through his darkest hours.
He told the Mirror in 2002: “I lost my dad, my marriage and the band... I thought about suicide but Anita saved me.”
