IN RECENT WEEKS, much discussion has been devoted to the negative impact reality TV has on its participants, both during their stint on the respective show and in the years that follow it.

And this week, Made in Chelsea star, Louise Thompson, has revealed that she self-medicated with alcohol when her decision to join the cast of MIC resulted in the re-emergence of a condition called derealisation.

We all know food is the way to my heart 🍝 Super excited to take this food intolerance test from @yorktestlabs. I’ve been suffering from stomach cramps on and off for quite a few years and thought it could be something I’m eating. Their programme is a simple finger prick blood test which tells you your reactions to up to 208 food and drink ingredients - like tomatoes and spinach (all in this meal!) to more common things like gluten and milk (whey protein). Can’t wait to see my results, as well as further improve my nutrition and possibly my sports performance 💪🏽 #foodintolerance #ad

A post shared by Louise Thompson (@louise.thompson) on Jun 16, 2018 at 10:56am PDT

The 28-year-old, who has starred in the show since 2011, told The Times that during her time as student of Edinburgh University, she lived with the syndrome which causes sufferers to feel disconnected from reality.

After learning how to manage the syndrome, Louise revealed that it re-occurred during the early seasons of Made in Chelsea, and she found herself drinking to excess in order to manage it.

I drank to oblivion. If I’m honest, I had a few instances where I thought I might have been dying. I have laid in bed and thought, “I’m sure other people would go and get their stomach pumped or something.”

Bra off, hair up AND I stole his first slice of halloumi bread. 🤚🏽 Soz bebe @ryan.libbey

A post shared by Louise Thompson (@louise.thompson) on May 27, 2018 at 10:11am PDT

Louise went on to explain that she didn’t disclose her mental health issues upon her initial casting, but says that new cast members are obliged to speak with trained professionals.

So now, when you join the show you have to speak to a psychologist, which is a good thing.

As well as dealing with the syndrome and coming to terms with the repercussions of her alcohol abuse, Louise admits that she felt unsupported in other aspects of her role.

I wish someone had also just sort of slapped me around the face and said: “Stop! Break up with this horrible person.” But it wasn’t in their interest to do that either because they were encouraging it all. I mean, I still do harbour a bit of resentment towards them, not necessarily individuals, but more the job as a whole of being a reality television producer. I couldn’t do it.

And yet does she envision herself stepping out of the limelight? Well, not right now anyway.

Oh my friends say it to me all the time. All the time! ‘Why don’t you just quit?’ And I think, ‘I’m not a quitter.’ That’s probably what it is.

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