Millie Mackintosh has revealed she has given up alcohol after discovering it was a major trigger for her anxiety.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 33, candidly spoke out about her mental health, admitting she was taking medication and going to therapy after feeling "emotionally numb".
Taking to Instagram, mother-of-two Millie said she has been sober for 12 weeks now and has seen the benefits of living a tee-total lifestyle, after years of ignoring how alcohol led her to feeling anxious and unhappy.
She wrote: "Hi! I realised I haven’t done a mental health check in for a while. I’ve been sharing more on the podcast, but I wanted to update you on how I’m feeling over here, as I always hope that having these conversations might just help someone know that the way they’re feeling is ok!
"Generally I am a lot less anxious which is great, I’m still taking my SSRI medication but I recently reduced my dose, as I have been feeling a bit emotionally numb and disconnected which can apparently effect around 30% of people.
"I am going to see how it goes over the next few weeks and possibly come off my meds by the end of the year, then either stay off them or try different ones.
"It is a tough decision because I am really benefitting and functioning well without constant anxiety and living in fear of panic attacks but I want to still feel all the good emotions too!"
Millie, who is proud mum to daughters Sienna, two, and Aurelia, five months, said a breakthrough in her therapy sessions made her to decide to give up alcohol.
"I didn’t want to admit it but it’s a huge trigger for my anxiety. It has an instant negative effect on my mental health and right now I’m focused on feeling my best, finding happiness in my life and not trying to escape from it," she said.
"It’s been 12 weeks and I’m enjoying sober life, not missing the ‘hanxiety’, feeling more energised, my skin is looking great and I’m sleeping much better. Now, I’m not saying I’ll never drink alcohol again, I’m just saying that right now, I’m not and I want to keep going. Has anyone else ditched the booze?
"How are you finding it? I would love to hear from more sober curious people."
Back in August, Millie revealed she started taking medication during lockdown after becoming 'more anxious than ever'.
The 33-year-old said she went to therapy where it was suggested she start a 'low dose of medication'.
She said: “I have had anxiety most of my life and found helpful tools (to) manage it.
“However, since lockdown & becoming a mother my anxiety (particularly social anxiety) really started to take over, consuming my thoughts leading me to feeling trapped.
“I engaged with therapy, to try and understand where the anxiety stems from, which meant visiting some painful experiences from my teenage years in (the) hope it would release some of the association and anxiety, Instead I found it really triggering & became more anxious than ever.”
She went on to explain how, after discussions with her therapist, she was put on a low dose of medication whilst 'continuing talk therapy'.
"Although I knew this was the best decision, I found it difficult to admit to myself & to my family that I needed this kind of help," she said.
*If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk
