Matthew Wright reveals PTSD diagnosis after quitting Channel 5 show The Wright Stuff
'If I hadn’t left when I did, I don’t know what kind of state I’d be in today'
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Your support makes all the difference.Matthew Wright has revealed that he has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The TV and radio presenter left his long-running Channel 5 show, The Wright Stuff, in June after eighteen years, with the show being rebranded for new host Jeremy Vine.
Now, Wright has revealed that his decision to quit the show was over fears for his mental health after he began to suffer from sleepless nights.
Speaking to The Sun, the 53-year-old explained how he sought help from a doctor after constantly waking up in the middle of the night and feeling “jet-lagged” in the day.
“I thought maybe it’s just because I’m used to waking up early in the morning, but the doctor said 'no, it is a sign of post-traumatic stress',” he said.
"I think if I hadn’t got out, or left when I did, I don’t know what kind of state I’d be in today.
“If I had carried on I do think it would have impacted me and my family.”
The TV presenter also spoke openly about the setbacks he faced during his time on the show including the collapse of his first marriage and the death of his nephew.
However, he said that presenting his daily morning show had been “quite therapeutic” as it was better than “sitting at home feeling beaten by things”.
According to Wright that all changed when his show was taken over by ITN in 2017, which he claimed had difficulty “meeting the standards he was used to”.
“That put loads more pressure on me and it started to impact my mental health,” he said.
“I am still suffering to some degree the consequences of that.”
The broadcaster is seeking help for his diagnosis and has been told that his symptoms will fade with time.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events.
Symptoms can include flashbacks or nightmares, emotional numbing, sleeping problems, angry outbursts and other mental health problems such as depression. You can find more information on the condition here.
If you are struggling with your mental health and would like to speak to someone about how you're feeling, you can contact the Samaritans by calling them for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch.
The Independent has contacted Channel 5 for comment.
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