Former EastEnders star Shona McGarty has candidly shared her personal struggle with social anxiety, urging others facing similar challenges to seek vital mental health support. The actress and singer, renowned for her role as Whitney Dean on the BBC soap opera and her recent appearance on I’m A Celebrity, revealed that social anxiety has been a persistent issue since her teenage years, profoundly impacting her life.
McGarty described a significant shift in her demeanour as she grew older. "I was always a chatty child, but as I got older, everything changed. Around 15, I suddenly became painfully self-aware," she explained. Her anxiety manifested acutely in various social settings, from initial introductions to professional interactions and even family gatherings. "My social anxiety would happen when meeting new people, with colleagues or even at family gatherings," she said. The physical and emotional toll was considerable: "My heart would race, my hands would sweat, and sometimes I thought I might faint. I sometimes pretend to receive a phone call just to leave a social situation."
