Emmerdale favourite Matthew Wolfenden has bravely opened up about his health battle.
Matthew, 41, has played David Metcalfe in Emmerdale since 2006, discussed his struggles as an aspiring actor while appearing on ITV’s Loose Women.
“I suffered with depression from the age of 23 to 31. There were various things going on in my life when I was 23 and that’s why I ended up going to the doctors.
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“The first time the doctor did was to give me a prescription for antidepressants. He didn’t suggest that I go to talk to someone.
“Once you’re on antidepressants it’s very hard to come off them. It’s almost like a bandage. It’s like masking the fact that you’ve got depression.”
A particular low point for the star came after an operation on a back injury.
“I got lower and lower and lower,” Matthew explained.
“I had to quit my job. I was in the West End working as a dancer at the time. I had to take a sabbatical from that. I was on antidepressants for eight years.”
In time, Matthew sought help with a therapist which helped him deal with the issues he was facing. This led to the Emmerdale star no longer using antidepressants.
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