Denise tells of panic attacks

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), April 19, 2006

Actress Denise Welch has told how she is still fighting depression.

The former Coronation Street star, who is currently in BBC drama Waterloo Road, admitted last year she had suffered from the condition for 17 years.

It saw the 47-year-old pull out of a Snow White panto in Stockport and left her bedridden for three days with panic attacks.

She sought help from counsellors and anti-depressants and looked to have turned a corner.

But today she reveals her battle with the condition goes on.

Former Consett Grammar School pupil Denise said: "It happened about six months ago and unfortunately I'm not able to control it at the moment.

"I'm going to go and get my hormones checked in case it's hormonal.

"I'm just thinking: `Please don't let this happen,' because I have to get on with my life. When I was really low I considered suicide as a possible way out.

"I hate it when people say suicide is selfish. They have no idea what clinical depression feels like."