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Danielle Lloyd opened up about her secret depression battle last month, admitting she hadn’t “been feeling myself” for the past few months. The 36 year old – who underwent endometriosis surgery a few weeks ago – spoke out on social media, revealing, “Sometimes in life we don’t know why we feel sad or feel like we can’t be ourselves. I can’t explain how or why I’ve been feeling the way I have for the last few months, but I certainly haven’t been myself.
“Just remember everything can look so right from the outside, yet be so wrong on the inside. Thank you to my lovely friends and family who continue to support me through my bad times and let’s look forward to the good times# depression awareness# anxiety #hormonehealth #endometriosis.”
And now Danielle – who is mum to Archie, nine, Harry, eight, and George, six, with ex Jamie O’Hara, and two-year-old Ronnie with her husband Michael O’Neill – tells Closer she feels that living through lockdown twice at her house in Sutton Coldfield has been a real struggle.
“Lockdown is so sh*t and horrible,” says the former glamour model. “Everyone’s mental health is really suffering and I’ve been really affected by it. I’ve felt quite depressed. It’s such a weird way of living – not being able to see your family and friends, go out properly and wearing a mask everywhere. It seems to be going on for ages. My mum lives in Liverpool and she’s been living with really strict restrictions for a while, so I haven’t been able to see her face-to-face for months. We’re so close, so it’s really upsetting for me, and the boys need to see their grandma.”
Danielle admits she would struggle to cope alone with her boys, and says Michael has been supporting her more than ever.
She adds, “I’m so lucky that Michael is so hands-on – it can be really tough with four boys and no nanny. They act like they’re 21 already – their attitude is the most difficult thing to handle. The whole experience has made Michael and me stronger – we haven’t argued during lockdown, we’re like best friends.”
And Danielle says she’s working out at home to try to boost her mood, adding, “I have lots of gym equipment, so I’m planning on exercising, as the release of endorphins really helps. In lockdown, you do tend to get stuck in a rut, so you have to stay motivated and keep active.”