Casualty's Amanda Mealing reveals she collapsed on set from PTSD after breast cancer battle

Casualty's Amanda Mealing reveals she collapsed on set from PTSD after her traumatic breast cancer battle

By Connie Rusk For Mailonline

Published: 16:47 BST, 8 August 2019 | Updated: 16:49 BST, 8 August 2019

Amanda Mealing has revealed she collapsed on set as she struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the aftermath of her breast cancer diagnosis. 

The Casualty star, 52, was diagnosed with the anxiety condition five years after her 2002 battle, and had a mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy.

'I literally crumbled down on my haunches at the steps, going up to reception and there were only five steps and I couldn’t make it up,' she told The Mirror. 

Stress: Amanda Mealing has revealed she collapsed on set as she struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the aftermath of her breast cancer diagnosis (pictured in May)

'At the time I couldn’t because I’d just had, what I call, my hand-to-hand combat of fighting the cancer, so I didn’t have time to look at my emotional and psychological state.

'My husband said, "This is going to come back and bite us on the a**e years down the line" and it did.'

In a cruel twist of events, Amanda was diagnosed with breast cancer just 24 hours after the birth of her second son. 

Health: The Casualty star, 52, was diagnosed with the anxiety condition five years after her 2002 battle, where she had a mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events.

People with PTSD often suffer nightmares and flashbacks to the traumatic event and can experience insomnia and an inability to concentrate.    

Symptoms are often severe enough to have a serious impact on the person’s day-to-day life, and can emerge straight after the traumatic event or years later. 

PTSD is thought to affect about one in every three people who have a traumatic experience, and was first documented in the First World War in soldiers with shell shock.

People who are worried they have PTSD should visit their GP, who could recommend a course of psychotherapy or anti-depressants, the NHS say. 

Combat Stress operate a 24-hour helpline for veterans, which can be reached on 0800 138 1619.  

The actress said her 'whole world was turned upside down'. 

The trauma reared it's ugly head in the form of PTSD years later.

Amanda said she didn't deal with the psychological aspect of her diagnosis and battle and instead rushed back to work.

Following her collapse, Amanda sought therapy and says it was 'essential' for her recovery. 

But the former Holby City star, who is widely known for her role as brunette Connie Beauchamp on the medical dramas, has drawn upon her experience for Connie's most recent storyline.   

Connie has been battling PTSD following an assault earlier this year.

The character will hit her crisis point in Saturday's upcoming episode.

Feeling unable to seek help, Connie will become additcted to diazepam as she tries to cope with the condition. 

Back in March, Amanda debuted her naturally grey tresses during an interview with Phillip Schofield and Rylan Clark-Neal on Tuesday's edition of This Morning.

The actress insisted she decided to 'be free' and take the 'au naturel' route with her hair choice as Lead Consultant Connie now sports a wig amid her cancer storyline.

 Still star Amanda explained: 'In the show, Connie had the whole cancer story and the chemotherapy caused her hair to fall out.

'I have to wear a wig so I'm free to do what I like with my hair, I took my advice from you [Phillip] and just went au naturel!' 

Trauma: 'I literally crumbled down on my haunches at the steps, going up to reception and there were only five steps and I couldn’t make it up,' she said

Share or comment on this article:

Daily Mail UK