Paddy McGuinness says his depression was spotted by ex-wife Christine: 'I wasn't aware of it'
Paddy McGuinness has opened up about how symptoms of his clinical depression were spotted by his ex-wife Christine.
The actor, comedian and TV presenter, 49, said he "wasn't aware" that what he was experiencing – including losing his temper – were signs of the mental health condition.
"In my experience, with something like depression – I was diagnosed as clinically depressed and I wasn't aware of it," he said on the Monday Mile podcast.
"You can be as low as low can be and it's the people around you that tell you."
It was only after it was pointed out to him that he was eventually diagnosed.
"So Christine and a few of my family members would say stuff and ask if I was okay and I would think, 'Why are they always asking me that?'" he told host Aimee Fuller.
"But obviously you can't see it yourself, it's in your head, it's not like you've got a limp where people can spot it and you can spot."
Paddy and Christine were married for 11 years before confirming their split in July, continuing to live together to co-parent their children. They share twins Leo and Penelope, nine, and Felicity, seven.
Read more: Christine McGuinness reveals feeling suicidal as a teen due to undiagnosed autism
McGuinness explained the changes to his mood and feelings he experienced when unknowingly dealing with depression.
"I started resenting being in front of a crowd of people and making them laugh because I used to think, 'It's alright for you lot but I'm going home feeling like this.'
"I've never been that much of a person losing my temper but I could feel myself in certain situations getting wound up quicker and I just thought that's not me.
"I wasn't going round throwing cups at the bloody wall and shouting but I could feel myself feeling angry straight away and I shouldn't be feeling that."
He tried therapy, unsuccessfully at first, but persevered to find the right fit for him.
"I kind of look at therapy like buying shoes – it's about not giving up on it and I nearly did," he explained.
"If you try therapy and that doesn't work for you, it doesn't mean that all therapy won't, just keep going until you find that one. It might take you bloody six times but it's worth it."
McGuinness described feeling "relieved" when he was told he had clinical depression, and used to see his therapist once a week, now checking in with his doctor every few months.
Depression symptoms
While signs of depression can vary depending on the person, you may feel sad, hopeless and lose interest in things you used to enjoy. Symptoms typically persist for weeks or longer and can affect your work, social life and family life.
Psychological symptoms can include a continuous low mood or sadness, having low self-esteem, feeling tearful, feeling guilt-ridden, feeling irritable, having no motivation or interest in things, finding it difficult to make decisions, not getting any enjoyment out of life, feeling anxious, having suicidal thoughts and more.
Physical symptoms can include moving or speaking more slowly than usual, changes in appetite or weight, constipation, unexplained aches and pains, lack of energy, low sex drive, changes to your menstrual cycle, and disturbed sleep.
Meanwhile, socially you might avoid contact with friends and take part in fewer social activities, lose interest in hobbies, and have difficulties in your home, work or family life, but remember you are not alone and there are a range of highly effective treatments for depression, ranging from therapy and medication to self-help measures.
Read more: The most common mental health conditions - and where to get help
While anyone can get depression, men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. For more information on symptoms, causes, and treatments, see this expert-led guide on men and depression.
For support, speak to your GP about how you are feeling, search for free psychological therapies service (IAPT) on the NHS website, or call Samaritans any time, day or night on 116 123.
Watch: Paddy McGuinness: TV star calls for less judgement and more education on autism
