Featured Image Credit: WENN Rights Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo / Icon Film Distribution
Topics: Mental Health, Health
Anish Vij
Topics: Mental Health, Health
Kathy Burke says she planned to kill herself after suffering from menopause for over 17 years.
The English actor is known for her recurring role as Magda on the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous from 1992 to 2012.
The actor's lack of mental health was largely due to health issues she developed after she was hospitalised for stomach surgery, aged 40.
Doctors soon discovered she had a blood condition, called Hughes syndrome.
Advert
It happens to be an immune disorder, which causes increased risk of blood clots.
Kathy was given long-term steroids to help combat the issue, which lead to severe depression.
An an interview with The Guardian, the 58-year-old said: "I started to have pretty dark, suicidal thoughts.
"I’ve always had bouts of depression but this was something else entirely. I don’t mind telling you that it was quite frightening."
Advert
Kathy lost her mother 18 months after she was born and one of her secret goals was to get past the age her mum had died at.
However, getting past the age of 40 wasn't a celebration for Kathy who was then diagnosed with the condition.
She explained: "And what the doctors didn’t realise is I’ve also got a blood condition called Hughes syndrome, which causes the blood to clot. And so with the C difficile, because my immune system had just gone out the f**king window, my adrenal glands clotted and bled. So I have no natural adrenaline now. I have been on steroids for 17 years."
Her plan was to commit suicide in a hotel suite.
Advert
"I hit upon the idea of ‘Oh, I’ll go to a nice hotel that’s got a separate bedroom.’ You know, get a suite. Get a suite!” she said.
"And then I would have just left a note on the bedroom door, telling the chambermaid to not come in, get the manager, get the police.
"It was weird, it was sort of, once I’d made that decision, I could relax. You know? And then once I was relaxed… Then the depression started to lift a wee bit."
Thankfully, Kathy had a change of heart, adding: "Oh, but I’m so glad I didn’t kill myself during menopause.
"That would have been a bit of a shame. But listen, that didn’t happen. I came through the other side, and I’m f**king delighted I did."
Advert
Menopause can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, mood swings, brain fog, hot flushes and irregular periods.
These symptoms can start years before your periods stop and carry on afterwards.
Samaritans are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and will talk to you about anything that's bothering you. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email [email protected] or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Welsh Language Line on 0300 164 0123 from 7pm to 11pm every day.