Kate Middleton: Royal's brother James reveals depression battle - NEWS.com.au

Kate Middleton’s brother James Middleton has revealed his crippling battle with depression and the moment he “couldn’t cope any longer”.

The 31-year-old said being born privileged didn’t make him “immune to depression”, reports The Sun.

He describes the illness as “a cancer of the mind” and has pinpointed the moment he knew things had to change.

As James told the The Daily Mail: “I also felt misunderstood; a complete failure. I wouldn’t wish the sense of worthlessness and desperation, the isolation and loneliness on my worst enemy.”

James said it started at the end of 2016 and it wasn’t until December 2017 — when he spent time alone in a remote part of the UK’s Lake District — that he realised he desperately needed help.

He wrote: “I’d finally confronted the fact that I couldn’t cope any longer, that I wasn’t all right; that I desperately needed help. And this recognition led to a sort of calm: I knew if I accepted help there would be hope.”

James writes he was diagnosed with ADD a year ago and had been suffering from dyslexia since he was a child.

After seeking professional help he was able to understand depression.

James revealed he had sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy to help change his patterns of thoughts and he gave his GP permission to speak to his family after he found it hard to tell them.

He wrote: “You may wonder why I didn’t confide in them (my family), but those who are closest to you are the hardest to speak to.”

He chose to speak out now after being inspired to see how his brother-in-law Prince William, sister Kate, and Prince Harry advocate for this exact thing through their mental health charity Heads Together.

James also credits his pets for helping him, especially dog Ella who is also a therapy animal.

Ella is one of many dogs featured on James’ Instagram, which was recently made public.

His most recent post is of Ella in her therapy dog vest with the caption: “Proud of Ella becoming a PAT dog this year. Animals can provide a sense of calm, comfort, or safety and divert attention away from a stressful situation and toward one that provides pleasure.”

Other images include him fishing and doing a whole variety of outdoor sports.

And it is revealed he celebrated Princess Charlotte’s birth on May 2, 2015, with a $44 bottle of pink fizz.

In a post from that day he poses with a glass of fizz, writing: “A little pink champagne to celebrate!”

James’ profile, which has existed since July 2013 when he posted his first snap, was made public overnight.

It doesn’t feature any pictures of his sister Kate, brother-in-law Prince William, niece Princess Charlotte or nephews Princes George and Louis.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

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