Former EastEnders actress Shona McGarty has courageously revealed her personal battle with social anxiety disorder, describing the condition as a persistent 'little devil on her shoulder' that once caused her to sweat profusely and experience panic in social situations. The television star, best known for her long-running role as Whitney Dean on the BBC soap opera and her appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, is sharing her journey as part of a groundbreaking NHS England campaign aimed at raising awareness about common anxiety conditions.
From Chatty Child to Social Anxiety Sufferer
McGarty explained that her struggles began during her teenage years, marking a dramatic shift from her naturally outgoing childhood personality. 'I was always a chatty child, but as I got older, everything changed,' she disclosed. 'Around 15, I suddenly became painfully self-aware. I started overthinking and struggling to hold conversations, even though talking was literally part of my job.'
The actress described how her social anxiety would manifest in various situations, from meeting new people to attending family gatherings. 'My heart would race, my hands would sweat, and sometimes I thought I might faint,' she recalled. 'I sometimes pretend to receive a phone call just to leave a social situation. People would say, 'Shona's so shy,' or 'she's so quiet,' and it really hurt.'
Confronting the 'Little Devil'
Now equipped with coping mechanisms, McGarty has developed strategies to manage her anxiety when it arises. 'I'm worlds away from that level of panic now, because I've learned how to deal with it when it shows up,' she stated. 'One thing that helps is imagining a little devil on my shoulder. I acknowledge it, and then I answer back: Thank you, but you're wrong. I'm in control. I'm safe. People aren't judging me; they're listening because they want to hear me speak.'
The actress emphasized that talking about her experiences has been the most significant factor in her recovery. 'Acknowledging social anxiety instead of fighting it,' she advised. 'You'd be amazed at how many people feel the same way. A problem shared really is a problem halved.'
NHS Campaign for Common Anxiety Conditions
McGarty's revelations support the launch of a major new NHS England initiative urging individuals with six prevalent anxiety disorders to seek assistance through self-referral at nhs.uk/talk. The campaign specifically targets conditions including:
- Social anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
The awareness drive features additional celebrity advocates, including The Only Way Is Essex personality Charlie King and former professional footballer Clarke Carlisle, who chairs the Professional Footballers' Association. Each participant shares candid personal experiences to encourage others to come forward for support.
Medical Perspective on Social Anxiety
According to NHS definitions, social anxiety disorder represents a long-term, overwhelming fear of social situations that typically emerges during adolescence. 'It's a common problem that usually starts during the teenage years,' the health service notes. 'It can be very distressing and have a big impact on your life.'
Dr. Ravi Gill, a health psychologist and founder of Smart Mind Health, elaborated on the condition's physiological and psychological dimensions. 'People that experience social anxiety know that the fear that they have around these certain situations is not OK, so their nervous system reacts in a way that sends them into a slight bit of panic,' he explained.
Dr. Gill identified two primary contexts where social anxiety frequently surfaces:
- Workplace performance situations - including speaking in meetings, delivering presentations, or making professional phone calls
- Social gatherings - where affected individuals may remain silent observers rather than active participants
The psychologist noted that social anxiety often coexists with imposter syndrome, creating compounded challenges for sufferers who fear being exposed as inadequate or saying something inappropriate.
NHS Commitment to Mental Health Support
Dr. Adrian James, NHS England's National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, highlighted the campaign's importance amid rising demand for psychological services. 'While it's encouraging that thousands more people facing mental health conditions are accessing NHS support than before the pandemic, we know that millions more could benefit from vital NHS talking therapies,' he stated.
'This landmark new campaign is a critical step to ensuring that everyone struggling with challenging but very common conditions like anxiety and PTSD knows that there is support available to help them get on with their lives again,' Dr. James continued. 'Through proven treatment and support available for free on the NHS, these conditions can be overcome to help people return to work, regain confidence or feel back to their old selves in social situations.'
The medical director reinforced the accessibility of NHS mental health services, emphasizing that individuals can either self-refer through the campaign's dedicated website or consult their general practitioner for guidance toward appropriate therapeutic interventions.
