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Princess Diana is one of the most iconic figures in history. At the same time, a symbol of a person struggling with many adversities for most of his life, including the closest environment. What did Princess Diana suffer from and how did she die? August 31 marks 25 years since her death.
- Princess Spencer died on August 31, 1997 in a car accident. In 1981-96 she was the wife of Prince Charles, heir to the British throne
- For most of her adult life, she struggled with many mental disorders – depression, bulimia, and persecution mania. She also made several suicide attempts
- After the birth of her first son, she also had postpartum depression
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Princess Diana and her mental disorders
Princess Diana is seen as an unhappy married woman, unloved and cheated by her husband, still struggling with pressure from the royal family, the media and the public. Her numerous mental disorders, depression, self-mutilation and persecution mania are also often written about. It was supposed to be the result of the enormous stress she had been subjected to since she was 20 years old.
However, a letter from her therapist Alan McGlashan in 1983 was released a few years ago, in which he suggested that the duchess’ changing moods are the result of a mental illness with a genetic background. McGlashan wrote that Diana took antidepressants and had therapies behind her, but it was to no avail.
– Princess Diana was an ordinary and very unhappy girl. She had to struggle with many problems and at the same time find the strength to overcome them. She was surrounded by an army of doctors who stuffed her with antidepressants, sleeping pills, and behavioral therapy sessions. She was treated like a patient with a very serious disease. Her symptoms terrified everyone. Diana distanced herself from them, at the same time establishing good contact with me – this is what the British media quoted him a few years ago. He himself died in 1997.
Mental disorders – how to treat?
Mental disorders can be divided into several categories. The first of them are neurotic disorders, which include phobias, anxiety attacks, obsessive compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder or hypochondria. The second is sleep disorders such as insomnia, excessive sleepiness, and nightmares. The third is eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia) and the fourth is addiction (alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, drugs).
The case of each patient must be considered individually – the final classification of a disorder is determined, among others, by its cause, the discovery of which will result from the history of the patient and the environmental situation.
Although the terminological difference between mental illness and mental disorder is not completely resolved, even by specialists in the field of psychiatry, this is a very important issue, inter alia from a legal point of view.
In Poland, it is possible to start treating a person with a mental illness without their consent – however, this provision does not apply to people with mental disorders. On the other hand, the mentally ill can count on a number of free health services for which people struggling with disorders will have to pay.
Princess Diana – Postpartum Depression
Princess Diana struggled with many disorders, including depression. In a biography written by Andrew Morton, she revealed that after the birth of her first son, William, she also developed postpartum depression.
– I came home, and then I was hit by severe postpartum depression and it was not the child’s fault, but the child just released everything that was happening in my mind – she said.
«She was crying and hysterical, worried not only about the crisis in her marriage but also for the child. »Is everything okay with him?« – she kept asking the new nanny, neglecting her own health »- we read in the book.
The Duchess at the same time complained that she did not find understanding or support in the royal family. “I felt like I was the first person in the royal family to cry openly and no one knew what to do,” she said.
Postpartum depression – what is it?
After the birth of a child, every woman experiences many sudden changes. The concentration of sex hormones, which were responsible for its proper course during pregnancy, drops rapidly. There are new responsibilities and dreams. Every woman strives to be the best mother. He has concerns whether he will meet all the requirements of a little man. Any stressful event – both the child’s disease and complications of the perinatal period have a negative effect on the mental state. Also whether the pregnancy was planned or the woman is single, without family support.
All these factors explain the low mood of many women in the first days after childbirth. They are even called third day depression or baby blues. However, this is a temporary state in which a woman may be more tearful, irritable, and embarrassed. It even lasts up to 10 days.
Princess Diana – bulimia
Eating disorders started when Diana was 19 years old. The flash point was the comment of Karol’s then fiancé that she was a bit too plump. It was the first time that she provoked vomiting. The weeks leading up to the wedding, the very moment of the wedding (she was already very thin then) and the honeymoon only worsened her mental condition. The stress associated with the new role, as well as the awareness of Karol’s relationship with Camiila, made bulimia develop more and more.
It took Diana 10 years to overcome the disease.
Bulimia – what is this disease?
People with bulimia nervosa go into a binge eating cycle followed by a purging phase by inducing vomiting, using laxatives or diuretics. Other methods include fasting or excessive exercise. Bulimics often plan an episode of eating, choosing the night time or times when the household is away. This way, they can keep this eating disorder a secret for a long time.
Princess Diana – thoughts of suicide
From the beginning of her relationship, Princess Diana had to deal with enormous pressure, reluctance from the royal family, constant awareness of Charles’ infidelity and unfavorable press. When there were moments when public opinion was also against her, there were suicide attempts. Biographers write that Diana took five of them in total.
She told about one of the crisis moments in a biography that was published in 1992.
“I was running around with a lemon knife, the one with a serrated blade. I was desperate. I knew what was happening to me, but no one around me understood me. I needed rest, so that someone at home would take care of me and that people would understand my suffering and anguish – she said.
It was a desperate cry for help. I am not spoiled – I just needed time to adapt to my new role – she explained
Suicidal thoughts –How can I help?
Suicidal thoughts often accompany people suffering from depression. As a result, suicide attempts are often made in the advanced stages of the disease. Suicidal thoughts also appear in people with bipolar disorder. It is associated with very extreme emotions. Such people can be in a very good mood, and then go into a state of sadness, or even depression. When the patient is in this condition, suicidal thoughts may appear, which are highly dangerous.
Suicidal thoughts also affect people with personality disorders, as well as people with addictions.
The best way to help someone with suicidal thoughts is to get others interested in their problems. It is very important to talk to them a lot and show their support. It is very important to understand the emotions and experiences that have triggered your suicidal thoughts. Relatives should support and avoid judging such a person. The main thing is to convince a person with suicidal thoughts to see a specialist.
How to help a person in a suicide crisis?
- Be calm and gentle when initiating contact.
- Invite them to a conversation, asking: “How can I help you?”, “What will make you feel better?”, “What has helped you overcome difficulties so far?”
- Listen without judging, show understanding, do not underestimate the reported problems, do not indicate that “others have it worse”.
- Offer support, time, attention.
- Help dispel negative thoughts
- Help in looking for various options to overcome the crisis, e.g. offer a visit to a specialist
- Help reduce anxiety and increase your sense of security, for example by accompanying you during a visit to a specialist.
- Help plan small but feasible steps.
- If you do not know what to do or how to help, call the available help lines and consult your activities with specialists.
- In case of a life-threatening situation, call the emergency number 112!
Princess Diana – how did she die?
Princess Diana and her then partner Dodi Al-Fayed, shortly after midnight on August 31, 1997, fled the paparazzi in a car driven by driver Henri Paul (who was under the influence of alcohol and psychotropic drugs). The leader lost his temper and crashed into the tunnel pillar. Henri Paul and Dodi Al-Fayed were killed on the spot. Diana was awake but very weak. The first aid was provided by a doctor passing by a moment later.
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Not seeing any external injuries, he was unaware of the condition of the duchess. He called the ambulance, which took her to the hospital at 1 am. Despite an intense rescue operation, Diana died three hours later. Extensive internal injuries were the cause. The Duchess did not wear seat belts during the unlucky ride.