Kem Cetinay says he felt ‘aggressive’ and like he was ‘locked in a prison’ before therapy for anxiety helped change his life
KEM Cetinay has revealed he used to get aggressive when he was suffering with anxiety.
The Love Island star, 22, opened up about his mental health issues, admitting he felt like he was “locked in a prison” before he had therapy.
His problems started when he was around 13 and his mum was told she had just 24 hours to live.
While his mum thankfully recovered, the experience took its toll on him and he started to suffer with debilitating anxiety.
Speaking to magazine about what anxiety felt like to him, he said: “It feels like the whole world is coming down around you at once. It happens so quickly.
“For me, I can feel myself get a bit aggressive and want to get out of the situation quickly and I don’t care who I’m offending.”
Discussing his journey, he continued: “By the time I was 15, I had almost dropped out of school.
“I didn’t sit many of my GCSEs, I saw a therapist every day, stayed at home for 18 months and barely went out. It felt like I was locked in a prison. I saw some amazing therapists.”
Kem went on to become a barber, before winning a place in Love Island last year, which he won alongside Amber Davies.
He became best mates with Chris Hughes during the experience after the pair bonded over their anxiety.
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Chris has also bravely spoken about his issues in the past, saying he was once so depressed that he contemplated taking his own life.
He said: “When I was going through that – when it was dark, dark – I thought about it. I’ve had suicides in my family and it is terrible looking back.
“I get re-occurrences of anxiety all the time – even last week. I know what it is when it comes and I know how to deal with it on my own but I had Olivia with me which was a good thing.”
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