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Mel C says she 'felt like she was going mad' before life-changing depression diagnosis

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28:  Melanie C attends the Lady Garden Gala in aid of Silent No More Gynaecological Cancer Fund and Cancer Research UK at Claridge's Hotel on November 28, 2017 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Spice Girls star Mel C has opened up about her mental health struggles in an eye-opening interview with Women's Health UK (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Mel C has opened up about her mental health struggles and how her depression made her feel like she was “going mad” before she received a diagnosis.

As part of a candid cover feature for Women’s Health UK, the Spice Girls star - whose full name is Melanie Chisholm - looked back on her career and recalled how she started to get “very low” when she was living and working in Los Angeles.

“I started not looking after myself properly, cutting out food groups, and my exercising became more and more obsessive, to the point that I was underweight,” the Never Be The Same Again hitmaker admitted. “I was unwell and that probably continued for a couple of years.”

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During the downward spiral, Mel C - who was known as Sporty Spice within the iconic girl group - said she remembers “struggling to get out of bed and binge-eating,” which is when she knew she had to do something about her situation.

“I couldn’t stop crying. I literally felt like I was going mad, so I came back to the UK and saw my GP, and the first thing he diagnosed me with was depression.

“It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s something, it has a name and it can be treated.’ That was day one of my recovery.”

Now, almost 20 years on, she relies on certain go-to methods to help her through the difficult days.

“If I feel like I’m getting a bit low, then the first thing is to get rid of alcohol,” Chisholm stated. “It makes me feel anxious and I know I won’t make the best choices the next day.

Read more: Melanie C says she banned diet talk around her daughter after her own eating disorder

“I make sure I get enough sleep, make sure I’m eating properly; exercising, but not too much.”

She’s also a big advocate for therapy, although she’s quick to note that she knows it’s a luxury that not everyone can afford.

“It’s really important for me, even if sometimes I dread it,” the singer concludes. “I can b***h and moan without judgement. It’s someone who you’re not going to offend. Therapy is bl**dy great – I recommend it to everybody.”