In a depressive episode, Alastair Campbell talks self-harm, addiction and happiness

Alastair Campbell talks to Oli Dugmore about mental health as he experiences a bout of depression.
His book 'Living Better: How I learned to survive depression' is out now.
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[@wonderwoman5528]

People who don’t suffer bad mental health can only imagine how hard it is. Brave man for opening up. I’m glad to see he has some positive coping addictions.

[@Birkinbag09]

Get well soon Alastair. I have depression too and he describes it perfectly. Thank you.

[@ranapour]

Thank you so much Alistair for being so open and honest. I can't believe how closely I can identify how you feel. I wasn't one of your fans because of your role in the Iraq war but I now respect you for being so honest about mental health. I hope you will get well very soon and stay anxiety free. These interviews, I am sure help a lot of people. Thank you again.

[@margaretdooley2742]

Get well Alistair your just like me life can be hard

[@davidpringuer3553]

So nice to hear honesty

[@DanT288]

Thank you both for this i really needed it today

[@mollycuddle9990]

I did too. Hadn’t known this existed. Hope you’re doing alright. Look after you 💜🌱 xx

[@richardsimpson9102]

Ledged -he invented New Labour, and now he's championing something most people don't want to champion - Ledged.

[@jamesen01]

I think this is a very brave thing to have done. Really interesting. Hope you're feeling better now

[@upendasana7857]

...also when he talks about "addictive behaviour"and mentions running marathons or signing up for german courses..there seems to be this need in whatever he does to be "the best"or be seen to be achieving. It seems he is addcited to the need to be seen and achieving,which is absoultely fine as we all need to be seen and achieve things but when it become compulsive then its a problem.I think personally is has to do with an ego issue and fear of not being seen or heard or acknowledged or important in some way.I think fear of annihilation is at the heart of much of depressions due to trauma of some kind.

[@markmurray9501]

Joe keep your eyes still. Your eyes going from looking at AC and then looking at somewhere else is uncomfortable during such an important interview.

[@pippipster6767]

His depression seems in context of mainly / usually very high energy / mania. Depression is horrible … but even worse if the context is yet more depression.

[@jonathanfell688]

Bravery is overcoming Fear. I have no Fear of speaking about my CPTSD. I am Brazen. Open Honest Inclusive. Brazen is important.

[@Beckns1982]

Being from America mid America this interview blew my mind... I don't think any American I know could read a novel in another language then their first language... Let alone a political pundit

[@upendasana7857]

He did do modern languages at university so I would hope he would be able to read in that language.

[@upendasana7857]

I'm really not one for psychedelics or think they are suitable for everyone,in fact mostly I think people should either stay away or proceed with caution but when it comes to someone like Alastair I think he should probably consider psychedlic therapy of some kind,either ayasuasca under very strict conditions or the lsd therapy assisted trip. Again I really don't think its for everyine and for some positively dangerous but I think for a person like Alastair at his age and stage of life and having a support system and level of stabiltiy then I think it could be life changing. I think for people with a level of ego development then it might be a good thing.For younger person or someone who has not got a level of stabiltiy or ego development in their life then its probably not a good idea.There must be something in Alastair's background that he jsut does,t consciously know about which makes him feel like this.

[@kaledmasterme]

New mashup video please!

[@davidmurphy563]

He should do what I do. Every time I'm feeling down, that life couldn't get any worse, I think to myself _at least I'm not Alistair Campbell_ and suddenly everything doesn't feel so bad.

[@jamesen01]

What a lovely thing to say. Pathetic

[@ac1dP1nk]

@@jamesen01 you do know that tgis isbt just a man with mental health problems but someone who used all their talent and acumen to send his country into a war of aggression an act second only to genocide in its barbarity. your response is the pathetic one

[@jamesen01]

@@ac1dP1nk I do know that tgis and isbt aren't words. Thanks for your enlightening and valuable contribution

[@ac1dP1nk]

@@jamesen01 pointing out spelling mistakes instead of engaging with and responding to content is pretty pathetic

[@davidmurphy563]

@@jamesen01 Depression is an illness that can strike anyone. Someone can be successful, kind, surrounded by friends, lead a wonderful life and still be struck down by it. The point of the joke, as spelt out in a previous comment, was that Campbell has a sound basis to loath himself. Blood drips from his guilty hands; the nation was shamed by decisions he played a crucial role in. My pointing that out is never going to be kind thing to say but illness does not buy forgiveness. There's nothing pathetic in pointing that out.

[@brendan5471]

Mental health is undoubtedly an important issue, but why are you helping give a war criminal a positive PR push?

[@Sankara561]

I'd probably feel a bit glum too, if I were responsible for a million deaths and knew I was going to hell.

[@Ummahtographer]

As an enabler of war crimes in Iraq, Campbell bears responsibility for a large degree of deadly and ongoing harm around the world I find it interesting how his victims don't get a voice, but he seems to be mental health washing his public image. it was unnecessary to help him in this endeavour. which you know.

[@tedm6894]

This is such huge copium lmao

[@jasonturner4997]

Bagpipes, bloodshed and bullshit. No wonder he's depressed.

[@davidalderson4980]

Depression is terrible. But why are we being invited to sympathise with an individual who has substantial responsibility for terrible things, for hundreds of thousands dead, someone who was never elected but exercised considerable power?

[@escpfrmhypr]

Because he’s human

[@awkwardsean5141]

Blairite.

[@magicegg9503]

Maybe his depression is a normal reaction to the deeds he has done ?

[@anglodoomer5995]

He killed a million people in Iraq. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t depressed

[@charliegreen5781]

This guy conned Britain into a war. Does he have any idea of the horror he created for women and children? Bog off

[@ac1dP1nk]

warmonger

[@margaretdooley2742]

Leave him alone

[@ac1dP1nk]

@@margaretdooley2742 id love to but justice demands otherwise

[@margaretdooley2742]

Depression is heal

[@ac1dP1nk]

@@margaretdooley2742 do you mean real. i know it better than him dont worry about that

[@margaretdooley2742]

@@ac1dP1nk I mean hell unless you have been there the mind is killing you.

[@dannevirkenz]

Do you know what annoys me most about this? He ws responsbile for wasting a great del of money on re organising the NHS and the computer system that failed to ever properly work , yet when he is ill he goes private. Showing he did not believe the changes had been useful either.

[@upendasana7857]

what did he ever have anything to do with modernisation of NHS ? he was the press secretary and Blairs government made more investment in the NHS after years of under investment