Sian, 61, a familiar face on BBC Breakfast during the early 2000s, has discussed how the condition impacted her whilst working for the broadcaster.
This included during the opening of the Diana memorial fountain in London’s Hyde Park in 2004. The event, which took place on July 6, was scheduled to be attended by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Sian recounted how halfway through the broadcast she collapsed on the sweltering day having been perched on a stool for hours and mere seconds after losing the live feed at her feet, reports the Mirror.
She told the Mail: « It is blazingly hot and I’ve been on this stool and talking for what seems like for ever. Until at last, my director tells me, ‘The royals are on their way.’…Just as I keel over, I hear the director shout to our royal correspondent, Nick Witchell: ‘Fill! Fill! Fill!' »
Sian added that whilst the BBC’s royal correspondent covered the gap, a producer assisted in reviving her and restoring some of her depleted energy with custard cream biscuits.
Subsequently she described anxiety, something millions of Britons experience, as a « lifelong companion » and one she still hasn’t « eliminated » from her own journey, but neither is it something she would wish to.
Sian went on to explain how she has since transitioned from breakfast presenter to a counselling psychologist who now primarily works in the NHS. This isn’t the first occasion Sian has discussed her anxiety, with the presenter authoring a book about the condition titled The Power of Anxiety released this year.
Since beginning her training as a psychologist, she has developed a deeper understanding of her anxiety and now regards it as something that strengthens rather than weakens her.
She said: « Sensitivity I think is the thing that helped me in journalism and certainly helps me as a psychologist. It can be your superpower – it has been mine. »
Sian isn’t the first prominent celebrity to speak candidly about their anxiety, with I’m A Celebrity star Shona McGarty sharing with the Mirror her own battles with the condition.
Last year she discussed how she was determined to confront her fears directly. Prior to her entry into the jungle she said: « I am very nervous, but it is just something I want to do to challenge myself and to kind of prove to myself that I am bigger than this anxiety…..I panic and I don’t know why…I am just sort of learning as I go. »
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Source link
