Carol Vorderman, 62, recalls feeling suicidal amid struggle with ‘severe depression’ during the menopause

Carol Vorderman has discussed her struggle with ‘severe depression‘ during the menopause.

In a new interview, the Countdown icon, 62, recalled feeling suicidal amid the time in her life when she stopped having periods – a natural part of ageing for women.  

Carol admitted that back in 2015, her thoughts would be ‘really, really black’ for a couple of weeks each month, despite there being ‘nothing wrong’ in her life.

She confessed to wondering: ‘what’s the point?’ and thinking: ‘there is obviously one way to make this stop’, while describing how devastating depression during the menopause can be.

The presenter asserted that it can be truly ‘horrific’ for women to deal with, and voiced her happiness that the ‘old-fashioned society attitude’ towards the menopause is changing.

Candid: Carol Vorderman, 62, recalled feeling suicidal as she discussed her struggle with ‘severe depression ‘ during the menopause

Real talk: In a new interview, the Countdown icon admitted that back in 2015, her thoughts would be ‘really, really black’ for a couple of weeks each month

Open: She confessed to wondering: ‘ what’s the point?’ and thinking: ‘there is obviously one way to make this stop’, while describing how devastating menopause depression can be

Speaking on the Postcards from Midlife podcast, Carol said: ‘When I went through it I had severe depression for about six months. I think it was 2015.

‘There was nothing wrong in my life, I had made a lot of money, my kids were fine, my mum was fine. There was no problem.

‘And yet I would wake up in this huge bed in this huge house, I’ve got a swimming pool outside and all of that, and I just thought ”what’s the point?”

‘I understand much more now clinical depression, where you go: ”I can’t go through this again, how can I make this stop”, and those thoughts of ”well, there is obviously one way to make this stop”.

‘Even when I was hosting Loose Women, which was ten years ago, it was only acceptable to say ”ooh, I’m having a bit of a moment” and make light of yourself when you’re going through this.

‘It’s not always horrific for people, but you can have horrific days.

‘Now, thank God, women are going: ”No, stuff that, this is what’s happening, I need help in the workplace, I need to be able to hear from people who are doing this”.

‘Because it was a patriarchy — you know, ”women, they just go crazy and they say crazy things.” 

‘We’re driving a horse and cart through that old-fashioned society attitude to women going through the menopause.’

Last year, Carol spoke about her depressive episode for the first time, admitting: ‘I’ve been through the years where we were shamed into thinking we were crazy because we had menopausal symptoms.’ 

‘Well I started in my early 50’s, I didn’t have night sweats or flushes or anything. I started feeling anxious, I’ve never felt anxious in my life.

‘I started feeling anxious about what trousers I was going to wear, whether I was going to have tea or coffee, you know, all sorts of things.

‘That developed into a deep depression, I felt suicidal at times. What saved me was that I kept a note of when my period arrived through an electronic calendar and that helped.

‘I started on a bespoke HRT and within 48 hours I felt back to normal and I have never had a symptom since, it is wonderful.’

Encouraging women to come that they are not alone, Carol insisted: ‘We all go through it, there is nothing to be ashamed about.

‘There is nothing to feel like you’re going crazy about, you are not going crazy, it is simply a hormone change.’