Frankie Bridge worries fans as she reveals depression has ‘crept up on her’

FRANKIE Bridge has sparked concern among her followers after revealing her depression has "crept up" on her.

The Loose Women panelist, 35 - who has been candid in opening up on her battles with depression, anxiety and a secret breakdown - shared her feelings on Instagram.

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Frankie posted a gallery of images showing her coping techniques and happy moments, including snaps capturing her cuddling her dog, watching her sons at sport and a stunning bunch of flowers.

The Saturdays vocalist also showed a hand-written message which read: "Just because it's taking time doesn't mean it's not happening."

In a lengthy caption, the Up! hitmaker said: "Last week I posted on my stories about how I felt like my depression had crept up on me, then without realising I was back in that place of feeling unmotivated and low.

"I try to share when I feel able to, when I’m feeling like this, in the hope that it encourages us to all open up a bit more when we’re not feeling right.

"I had so many amazing messages from so many of you, offering kindness and support, thank you so much! Most of all it reminded me that I don’t have to feel guilty for feeling that way!

"There’s certain things I know…that if I do them, it will put me in a better headspace.

"Here’s what I did to get myself back on track:

"Turned to people I knew would support me. Spent time with the people I loved. Took some time to rest. Got out in the fresh air. Moved my body - even if it was just for 10 minutes! Reminded myself out loud, of the things I already know deep down (but somehow repeating it out loud seems to help). Threw myself back into work and doing what I love. Made a mental note when I recognised something small brought my joy."

As she wrapped her message she made a plea to fans and wrote: "If there’s anything you guys do when you’re feeling in a rut, please share them in the comments here.

"I’d love to know… and you never know, it might help someone else too!"

The star has has battled severe depression since childhood.

In The Saturdays' book, Open: Why Asking For Help Can Save Your Life, she wrote: "For as long as I can remember I had suffered from anxiety, nervousness, the big black cloud, stress, low moods, sadness.

"I lived with it in silence and tried to conquer it alone."

Frankie, now a mum of two, was previously admitted to hospital amid a tough part of her debilitating battle.

She had tried three different anti-depressants at the time, but none had worked.

During her stint in the I'm A Celeb jungle in 2021 fans were left in tears at her candid confessions on her mind health.

After she told hiw she was hospitalised for a breakdown aged 21 her campmate Matty Lee asked what the turning point was in her recovery.

Frankie opened up on husband and former footballer Wayne Bridge and said: “Because I was with Wayne, I still remember being in the shower, and thinking, I love him, we’d spoken about marriage and kids and stuff, we had a beautiful home, I had a career I’d always wanted, but I just knew I was fundamentally unhappy.

"And that was when I realised that something just really wasn’t right. It was almost being happy made me realise I was unhappy, which is probably really hard for people to understand."

Frankie then got emotional explaining how the thought of starting with a family with Wayne is what helped turn her around. 

She added: “My main reason for wanting to get better was because I knew I wanted kids. I was like, I can’t be like this if I want to be a mum.

"I knew I needed to sort myself out. So that was my main reason for wanting to get better."

She also addressed her medication in camp and told how she "would love not to" have depression and anxiety.

Since then, the popstar has opened up on a particularly tough therapy session as she continues to keep fans in the loop.

"I was really lucky that Wayne put me in there [rehab] basically and could afford to send me. It was s*** but it was great at the same time.”

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