Suzanne Shaw has described how she used alcohol and pills to help her "deal" with the demise and fallout of Hear'Say.
The singer, 39, quickly rose to fame after winning talent contest Popstars in 2001, but she admits she wasn't ready for all the scrutiny that came with stardom.
However, what was meant to be a dream soon turned into a nightmare as the band quickly faltered and disbanded in 2002.
And the rapid demise, paired with a relationship breakdown leaving her a single mum, led Suzanne into a downward spiral.
She revealed how she thought the group, which also consisted of Kym Marsh, Myleene Klass, Danny Foster and Noel Sullivan, were treated like guinea pigs.
The Pure and Simple singer told The Sun that the band's mental health wasn't considered as nobody knew what to expect from a reality TV show like theirs.
And she confessed that as the band fell apart following the departure of Kym, so too did her life as she knew it after a period of constant working and travelling and all of her life being played out in the press.
"My brain could not process the trauma and by the time the group split up," she admitted.
"I didn’t even realise I was suffering from mental health problems. Life as I knew it disappeared overnight and I had no support system in place.
“I would actually compare what happened to PTSD as the shock was so massive."
She revealed that instead of trying to get help for her mental health, she turned to alcohol and pills, admitting she was in denial with what was happening.
In 2003, she fell for Darren Day and the pair quickly had a child together.
However, after suffering from postnatal depression and a decline in her mental health, Suzanne was left alone once again after Darren broke off their relationship.
She explained that it was a lonely time and that she "never wanted to be a single mum and I never wanted to feel like a failed pop star".
She admitted it was a very lonely and dark time in her life.
Thankfully for the star, she has got her health and wellbeing back on track and is currently engaged to Sam Greenfield and the pair have a five-year-old son together.
She says that giving up alcohol and finding a love for exercise has helped her improve her mental health.
She now feels as though she isn't neglecting herself and described running as being "like a therapy".
As well as running, Suzanne enjoys plant-based diet, daily meditation and a more mindful approach to life and admits she wished she'd made the lifestyle change sooner.
*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
