ITV Loose Women star tried 'really scary' ketamine treatment after 17-year battle with health condition

Frankie Bridge has opened up about her experience with depression and being hospitalised while on anti-depressants. The former member of The Saturdays, 35, has been candid about her mental health struggles, even penning a book titled OPEN: Why asking for help can save your life.

On a recent episode of Loose Women, she discussed radio host Roman Kemp's revelation that he had stopped taking anti-depressants after 16 years. Kemp clarified that he was not advising fans to start or stop medication but was sharing his journey of navigating new emotions.

Frankie shared her own story, stating: "I started taking antidepressants when I was about 18 and I still ended up in hospital when I was about 21 with really bad depression and anxiety. It's one of those things for me where they work to a degree in that I'm able to get out of bed in the morning and I'm able to come and work and be present with my friends and family."

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She revealed that she suffers from "Treatment-resistant depression so actually the antidepressants don't really work." She further explained: "I've had like tests done and my body isn't able to create seratonin or to keep it.

"So even if I'm taking antidepressants it's almost counter productive. But because I've been on them for so long for now the fear of coming off them is really scary because I'm like would I end up back in hospital again?"

Frankie continued: "I've got children now, a husband. I've tried a lot of different ones and I've tried different combinations of different antidepressants and things like that. So now I'm constantly trying to think of different things to try so I've recently tried ketamine treatment which has been really effective for me but it's really expensive, it's not available for everyone.", reports the Mirror.

Frankie admitted: "That was a really big deal for me, that was really scary for me. I've taken myself off of antidepressants before and the side effects of coming off these things are brutal. I spent two weeks in bed, I felt awful. It's a really good message to say to people that you can obviously give it a go if you feel ready but you have to do it with a doctor because it's not that easy just to go right, I'll stop."

Roman took to social media on Friday to share his personal journey with mental health, stating: "It has now been 4 months since I stopped taking anti-depressants and it's safe to say they're out of my system. Something I have taken since I was 15 years old. Now while I'm still learning about why I suddenly want to cry more and may get a bit snappier at my friends, I'm excited at the thought of understanding what the emotional side of me is really like."

He continued, "I'm neither for or against taking anti-depressants, I'm about what is right for YOU and if it helps you then go for it. They helped me through a long period of mental struggle in my life but I'm now ready to move on. Only posting this in case anyone was ever worried about starting/stopping."

*If you are struggling with mental health issues, support is available from Mind mental health charity by calling 0300 123 3393 or emailing info@mind.org.uk.