Entertainment
ITV News’ Tom Bradby felt he became ‘a poster boy for having a mental breakdown’
The journalist was signed off work for three months in 2018 (Picture: PA)
ITV News reporter Tom Bradby believed he became a ‘poster boy’ after facing a number of mental health challenges while in the public eye.
In 2018, the 55-year-old journalist took time off work after developing insomnia, which resulted in an ‘addiction’ to the sleeping pill zopiclone.
Speaking to former Downing Street director of communications Craig Oliver, for his podcast Desperately Seeking Wisdom, the former political editor addressed that it was his wife who urged him to get help as he was close to a ‘very dangerous cliff-edge.’
‘I imagine that one of the reasons why I’m sitting here is because obviously, for anyone who doesn’t know, I had a quite public breakdown a few years ago,’ he said.
‘And I had to go through a very intense signed-off work three months from insomnia and had to go through some intense psychological rebooting process.
‘My fundamental reason for doing this podcast is I spend a lot of my time… because I guess I became a bit of a poster boy for having a breakdown and losing control.’
‘I guess I became a bit of a poster boy for having a breakdown,’ said Tom (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Tom revealed that his experience has touched a lot of people (Picture: Tabatha Fireman)
Tom, who has worked for ITV News producer ITN in various roles for more than 30 years, also mentioned that his experience has led to more people being vocal about their personal struggles.
‘One of the really nice things about (being open) is people feel able to come and talk to me about when they’re not feeling well,’ he added.
‘And it just makes you realise, “God, how many people out there are suffering and need help?”‘
He continued: ‘And my fundamental reason for doing conversations like this is you think, “well, if I can even help one or 10 people who are listening, who might get something out of it, then that’s great.”
More: ITV
‘A lot of people who come talk to you just don’t understand what’s happening to them. They’ve got this terrible anxiety or depression, or whatever it is.
‘They just don’t understand how, why are they’re feeling like this.’
Desperately Seeking Wisdom with Craig Oliver is available on all major podcast providers. Tom Bradby’s episode is out on Monday February 14.
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