Former Love Island star Dr Alex George has bravely revealed an insight into his mental health, admitting he’s experienced ‘dark times’ but believe’s he’s on the right path
Doctor Alex George has shared a candid admission about his mental health struggles. The former emergency department doctor who found fame on Love Island grew up with undiagnosed ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and was one of thousands of adults diagnosed later in life.
The NHS states that people with ADHD often suffer from conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction or learning difficulties including dyslexia. This is something that the 34-year-old is all too aware of. Dr Alex has spoken openly about his own struggles with depression and being prescribed anti-depressants.
“I’ve had some really dark times,” Alex exclusively told the Mirror. He went on to add: “I’ve been open about that in recent years. I think for someone that grew up with undiagnosed ADHD, I was only diagnosed a couple of years ago, I think it’s probably not that surprising.
“ADHD is not a mental illness, it’s a Neurodevelopment disorder, of course people with ADHD are so much more likely to struggle with things like alcohol or with anxiety and depression, all these things because of their experience moving in the neurotypical world effectively.
“Growing up, it wasn’t the easiest to be honest and then, obviously, later in life, things happen in your life that are really hard. The pandemic was tough – I was working in Lewisham hospital and it was tough, we were hit really hard. I saw a lot of difficult things, many things I wouldn’t necessarily talk about but that was hard.”
But while people rejoiced after coming out of the coronavirus lockdown periods and being allowed to see friends and family again, tragedy hit for Dr Alex. On July 23, 2020, Dr Alex’s world changed following the death of his younger brother, Llŷr, who took his own life. Dr Alex previously described his brother as “the kindest and most caring soul.” Just one month later, Llŷr was due to start medical school, with Alex saying he would have been the “most incredible doctor.”
“We finally got through and my brother takes his own life,” Alex bravely said. He added: “That kind of pain that you feel when someone switches the light off is unbelievable and I didn’t think that pain existed at that level of depth. I didn’t think you could experience pain in such a physical way as it was in those first hours, days or weeks.”
Alex commented “we’re human beings, we’re not robots”. He added: “I’m actually back on anti-depressants, I’ve been on them for a couple of months because I had a really bad run into the end of last year, I was really struggling. I’m definitely feeling better now.” But while Alex is in a better headspace, he’s not fully where he wants to be but is on the right path.
He said: “You can’t shed the things that have happened in your life or that you’ve experienced – you’ve got to kind of learn to live with it,” adding that he’s going to be managing his mental health and grief but is attempting to “live as much” of his days happy. Men make up just 36 per cent of patients who are referred for talking therapies across the NHS, according to the Mental Health Foundation.
Alex said: “Opening up ins’t a weakness, getting help is something that is not something you should be ashamed of. We lose so many men because they feel there’s no other option. I think we lose so many men because they would rather take their own life than ask for help and I think that’s a very sad point.
“If you look at my brother, for example, that’s what we’re talking about – ‘Do I ask for help? Or do I make this permanent decision that’s irreversible?’ I think we have to change that – education at schools, helping young men realise that emotional vulnerability is a strength, reducing shame and stigma, all these things will make a massive difference to their lives really.”
One thing that helped Alex and made a difference to his life was returning to medicine after appearing on Love Island. While some follow brand deals, Dr Alex was back on the front line in no time. “It helped really ground me,” he said.
He added: “Being on reality TV, it reminded me of I am, where I came from, gave me purpose again, I feel really glad, it’s one of the best decisions I made.” But he admits that while he does look back and wonder what would have happened if he turned his back on his career, he’s “glad” he chose the career that gave him fulfilment.
Yesterday, Dr Alex took part in the London Marathon – which he explained was going to be an “emotional day” but was powered by the thousands of people who lined the streets. However, the day had a special place in Alex’s heart after his run for the Anthony Nolan trust, helping to save lives as well as improve the lives of those living with blood cancer and blood disorders.
“Just over ten years ago, my friend Freya Barlow, who was a medical student and good friend of mine, she was diagnosed with leukaemia,” Alex said, before explaining that Freya underwent intensive treatment including chemotherapy during her exams. He went on to explain that despite having a bone marrow transplant, the cancer came back.
Freya had done a half marathon when she was recovering, “typical of Freya,” Dr Alex joked. During her recovery, Alex and Freya agreed that they would run the London marathon together. But heartbreakingly, he shared that when Freya became terminally unwell, she asked him to take on the challenge as she was unable to do it.
“Ten years later, I’m keeping the promise, it’s going to be a day of managing that,” he said. He added: “It’ll be a big day, hopefully a happy day but it will also a full circle from a couple of years ago, being 20 stone and really unhealthy to running a marathon, it is something that I’d be proud of, I think.”
Dr Alex has teamed up with Bioglan for their In Bioglan Balance, revealing how he explores his life. He’s also started using their supplements but revealed that there’s no “magic solution” to anything. “You can focus on your running and exercise,” he said before adding that if an individual’s sleep, diet or social connections are good, running won’t make your life perfect and neither will supplements.
Alex continued: “I actually talk about a lot in my content, is looking at small percentages and realising compound interests are a real thing as well.” He adds that he weighs things up, including his sleep which can be 60 per cent of his wellbeing, he adds walking into his day before ensuring his food is the “colour of the rainbow” and taking supplements including Omega-3.
“All of these little things add up to a significant change,” he said. He says that in the past, diet culture was the topic of conversation for people changing their perception of life and happiness. He adds: “People say some people get into running to lose weight but actually, what they gain most out of the running is the process that gives you most of the reward, not the outcome.”
Running, is something that Alex says completely changed his life, which ties in with his audio series for Bioglan. “I was over 20 stone in weight, I was drinking a lot of alcohol, I was struggling with my mental health,” he said. He adds that while he adds that “one thing” can’t fix things, running was something that he’s since fallen in love with thanks to its impact.
He adds: “It is about balance, I try to promote health is important – it’s not about being extreme about things. If we can do 80 per cent in a decent number of things, then that whole package hopefully makes you feel better.” Alex added that his life is about balance, which he incorporates into his diet and uses the Bioglan inulin to help his gut bacteria, as well as Omega-3 for brain, heart and eyes health.
But he knows that it can be “hard” to get things into diet but supplements can help which ensures he can have a balanced diet, including pizza and chocolate.
If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
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
Alex George has partnered with supplement brand Bioglan for their fourth series of ‘In Bioglan Balance’ to show how he finds balance in his busy life. To listen to the series visit @bioglansupplements Spotify page and to watch snippets of the podcasts, visit @bioglansupplements on Instagram.
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