‘Wouldn’t It Be Great If I Crashed My Car And It Was All Over?’ Jungle Babe Talks About Her Battle With Depression

Jungle dweller Helen Flanagan has spoken out about her battle with depression.

The actress revealed that she had suicidal thoughts during her final days of Coronation Street and battled with an eating disorder in her teens.

“I’ve suffered from anxiety since I was a little girl. I was about 15 when I developed an eating disorder.

“I was diagnosed with Attention Deficient Disorder a few years ago and used to take tablets to keep that in check. I also take medication for bipolar disorder.

Helen face a difficult time in the jungle as was believed to be unwell after leaving

“One day I was on the Corrie set and a cast member – who was also a friend- joked ‘Helen Flanagan rattles when she walks!’

“It really hurt me. I went home that night and cried my eyes out.

“I stopped taking my medication for a year and a half and didn’t tell anyone. It was the worst thing I could have done.”

The actress revealed that the next year was a dark one for her mental health.

“I was up and down all the time and it just spiraled out of control.

Helen has battled with depression for many years

“One day I was driving into the studios and I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if I just crashed my car and it was all over?’

“After that I knew I had to quit Corrie and get some help.

“I had some counseling and found that it works for me. I am now more comfortable with it and know it’s nothing to be ashamed of,” she said speaking to The Sun.

“I wouldn’t have done I’m a Celebrity a year ago but I knew I was ready to do it now. I’ve got my anxiousness under control and my meds keep the bipolar and ADD under control as well,” she said.

Helen also revealed that she was tempted to walk out of the jungle during the first week where she was nominated to complete five Bushtucker trials.

“I wondered whether I should walk.

“I thought ‘Am I just humiliating my boyfriend and family?’

‘I was desperate to try and put a brave face on for the cameras,” she finished.

Since leaving the jungle, Helen has been appeared in lads mag FHM and was recently pictured sprawled on a beach in New South Wales posing for photos in her bikini.