Luisa Bradshaw-White Details Psychiatric Ward Experience and Mental Health Struggle
Luisa Bradshaw-White, the former EastEnders actress, has bravely disclosed that she was admitted to a psychiatric ward and nearly did not survive during a severe mental health crisis. The 51-year-old star, best known for her role as Tina Carter, who was killed off in the soap in 2020, opened up about her recovery in a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Thursday.
A Long Road to Recovery from Bipolar and Eating Disorder
Bradshaw-White previously revealed she has been on an extensive journey to heal after battling really bad Bipolar disorder and an extreme eating disorder. In her latest social media update, she expressed that she has now found her space in the world after stepping away from fame and pursuing a new career in musical journeys.
Accompanying a selfie, she wrote: I used to be an actor so I had a place to put those big feelings, but it didn't feel like where I was supposed to be. She continued, I also tried to suppress those big feelings and that led to a serious mental illness, psychiatric hospitals and something I nearly didn't survive. I now feel like I have found my space in the world.
Embracing Emotions Through Music and Dance
The actress explained that she no longer hides her emotions, viewing them as powerful guides for living fully. She stated, I know that when I go in deep to the big feelings I experience, with a feeling of curiosity and love, i emerge out the other side with new wisdom with new insights and feeling so much more self love and clarity about who I am. I am not afraid of the dark.
Now, Bradshaw-White creates musical journeys for free-form dance and Breathwork ceremonies, using her emotions to craft waves of music that help express her life experiences. She added, My favourite thing about my life now is that I have found people like me who want to come and dance and breathe to feel all this too.
Previous Candid Admissions and Fan Support
This revelation follows an emotional Instagram post last year where she admitted, I cry every day, discussing her expanding ability to feel both beauty and pain. She questioned her past bipolar diagnosis and medication, emphasizing, WE HAVE BEEN MADE TO FEAR OUR FEELINGS OUR EMOTIONS.
Fans quickly rallied with support in the comments, with one writing, I can relate to this so much. I sent to feel everything so much more intensely than anyone I know. It's extremely overwhelming but I feel like it's our power, and another adding, This is such a beautiful post. So much to think about and feel grateful for. Thrilled this is your life now. Xx.
Career Highlights and Background
Luisa Bradshaw-White rose to fame in 1988 with a role in A Friendship in Vienna, later appearing in shows like Grange Hill, The Bill, and Birds of a Feather. She became a series regular on Holby City from 2001 to 2005 as midwife Lisa Fox, before roles in Doctors and her notable stint on EastEnders as Tina Carter.
