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United States Michael Ball and Alfie Boe health: Duo battled 'dark' and 'rough' times with depression
Musical theatre stars, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe teamed up in 2016 and have been working together ever since. This year, the duo are releasing their new album Together at Christmas.
They're planning on touring the UK in 2021, as both are aware how lonely it can be otherwise.
"It can be a lonely existence sometimes," said Alfie, reflecting back on the years before he paired up with Michael.
Speaking to the Mirror, he said: "You have thousands of people in front of you. You perform to them all. You finish, you get on to a bus.
"This business is hard," admitted Alfie. "The euphoria, the rejection, we experience."
However, working and touring alongside Michael has "been a lot of fun” - he has a comrade, an understanding colleague, a friend.
Michael said he too had experienced "moments of darkness", as reported by the Daily Mail.
It's his wife, Cathy McGowan who helped pull Michael out of a dark place when he was younger.
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The 58-year-old once had thoughts that he couldn't "cope" with the responsibilities of his job.
"These thoughts whizz through your head as you’re on stage," he said. "It’s totally debilitating, creates the panic attacks that mean you can’t do what it is, above all, that you want to do."
What's depression?
The NHS defines depression as feeling "persistently sad for weeks or months" - not just a few days.
A range of symptoms can occur, including feelings of unhappiness, hopelessness and feeling very tearful.
Depression can take away any pleasure from life, as you lose interest in things that once lit you up.
Physical symptoms can include constant fatigue, bad sleeping patterns, a loss of sex drive, and aches and pains.
Severe depression can make you feel suicidal, thinking that life is no longer worth living.
"Most people experience feelings of stress, anxiety or low mood during difficult times," certified the national health body.
"A low mood may improve after a short period of time, rather than being a sign of depression," it continued.
What are panic attacks?
The mental health charity Mind explained panic attacks are a type of fear response.
Physical sensations can build up quickly, and may include:
- A pounding or racing heartbeat
- Feeling faint, dizzy or light-headed
- Feeling very hot or very cold
- Sweating, trembling or shaking
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Pain in your chest or abdomen
- Struggling to breathe or feeling like you're choking
- Feeling like your legs are shaky or are turning to jelly
- Feeling disconnected from your mind, body or surroundings
They usually last between five to 20 minutes, but it's advised to "focus on your breathing", breathing slowly in and out while counting to five.
Lots of panic attacks may lead to a diagnosis of a panic disorder; for more support please visit Mind.
Michael and Alfie will be appearing on BBC One's Graham Norton Show on Friday, December 18 at 10.45pm.
