Chris Hughes says he sometimes convinces himself he has a "greater level of lowness than [he] actually [has]" by thinking of people who have taken their own lives when he is feeling down.
The former ‘Love Island’ star has opened up about suffering from anxiety and low moods, and admits it is a "scary thought" when he thinks about those who are no longer here and wonders whether they were feeling the same as he does during his down moments.
He said: "Since I’ve been feeling down, I’ve thought of people that have done it, and that’s a scary thought.
"I think, ‘Does that mean, this is how they felt?’ I tell myself that how I am feeling now is how those people felt and that makes me feel worse inside.
"What I’m doing is convincing myself that I’ve got a greater issue or greater level of lowness than I actually have, and that’s what’s making me worse."
Chris suffered a severe anxiety episode in August while on holiday in Bali with his girlfriend, Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson, but he "just can’t work out" why he feels that way at times because he "really likes life".
He added to Happiful Magazine’s November issue: "I’ve got the best family, the best girlfriend, the best social life, the best friends, I love where I live. I don’t dislike anything. This is why it’s so weird.
"I shouldn’t be [feeling] like this. I learned the other day that anxiety is feeling compelled to keep looking ahead to the future. With depression and feeling down, it’s the other way, about looking back, but there’s nothing I reflect on and regret, or think, ‘I should have done that.’
"I just can’t work out why I’m feeling this way."
Chris has also opened up about his personal struggles to help raise awareness of men’s health issues in partnership with Movember – the official charity partner of QIPCO British Champions Day, which takes place at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday (19.10.19) – alongside jockey Kieran Shoemark.
The ‘ITV Racing’ co-host said: "Kieran and I have had quite different experiences but we both found that opening up and talking about what we were going through was the best thing we could have done.
"As men we do sometimes feel like we can’t be honest or show our vulnerability but the sooner you open up, the better.
"Hopefully by sharing our stories we can encourage other men to seek the help they might need."
Speaking to Chris in the Movember Man Van – which will be on course on QIPCO British Champions Day offering free haircuts, shoe shines and men’s health advice – Kieran added: "Since I asked for help, I can’t stress how drastically my life has changed beyond mine and anyone’s recognition I think."
Chris Hughes opens up about anxiety and low moods
