I always see therapy as self-care, not failure

IZZY JUDD, THE WIFE OF MCFLY DRUMMER HARRY, TELLS LISA SALMON WHY NEW MUMS SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP

- LISA SALMON

IZZY Judd has had therapy on and off for more than 20 years.

And the mum-of-three, who's married to McFly drummer Harry Judd, is hoping that by talking candidly about how much she's gained from therapy, she'll encourage other mums and particularly new ones to seek therapy themselves if they have any problems, big or small.

Lizzy, 41, who's a classically trained violinist and author, says: "New mums often face their struggles alone, and there's a narrative that plays in our minds saying we should be able to cope.

"It feels like everyone else is coping, but actually more than half of new mums struggle with their mental wellbeing.

"The idea is to seek therapy and remove the stigma that therapy might suggest a feeling of failing, because actually, therapy is one of the kindest things you can do for your mental wellbeing as a mum.

"That's something I've always felt - it can be transformative."

She explains that her first experience of therapy was in her early 20s for anxiety, which she says was linked to her eldest brother Rupert having a serious car accident which left him with a severe brain injury.

"My family experienced a real trauma," she recalls. "That was back in 1997 and no therapy was offered to us at that time. I would've really benefitted from being able to talk about that trauma.

"Resulting from that, I really struggled with anxiety. I'd always, as a child, had a bit of anxiety, and in my early 20s the anxiety got so overwhelming I had my first experience of therapy. As I've gone through life there have been different moments where I've just felt I needed that support.

"I think therapy is part of the puzzle, certainly for me. Medication is one part, but you need therapy to support."