SHERIDAN Smith Has Opened Up About Her Mental Health Struggles And Claims She Was Misdiagnosed.

Actress Sheridan Smith says she is “finally in a good place” following past mental health battles and even a misdiagnosis....
The award-winning star previously hit headlines when her “erratic behaviour” forced her to pull out of a string of shows when starring in a west end production of Funny Girl.

At the time she was dealing with her dad’s terminal cancer diagnosis and subsequent death, later saying she “just couldn’t continue – I lost my mind”

Now, speaking to BBC Breakfast, Sheridan – who plays a mum struggling with schizophrenia in a new film – has lifted the lid on this dark period of her life.

She said: "It's taken me years to get to a place where I felt like I could own it and then say it. It was speculated that I was struggling.

"There were different doctors giving me different medication but I'm finally in a good place.”

Acknowledging that the road to getting there wasn’t easy, she continued: “It did take a massive thing to come out and actually say ‘I’m struggling and I need help,’ so I understand that this is hard for people."

Asked what the impetus was for her finally seeking help, she explained: "Eventually, I opened up to family members and people could see as well that I was gradually declining and struggling.”

It even took a misdiagnosis, with Sheridan saying: "Eventually, after years of going on different medication and just being wrongly diagnosed, I've got the right doctor now and I'm in a great place. It's perseverance but you do get there."

Sheridan will next be seen on the big screen in The More You Ignore Me, out in cinemas nationwide from 6 July.

The British 1980s set flick was penned by comedienne Jo Brand, who previously worked as a mental health nurse in a hospital and is based on her own personal experience on the wards.

Speaking about her involvement, Sheridan said: "It's a very hot topic [mental health] at the moment and a very important topic so I'm thrilled to be part of it. We have come a long way [but] I think we can go further."