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Rachel Riley now reported to have got PTSD from Strictly too

252 replies

chachacharcoal · 02/04/2024 18:44

Both the Daily Mail and the Mirror are now reporting that Rachel Riley also claims to have developed PTSD after doing Strictly. She went on to marry her partner though so he doesn't seem to have been the problem. One of the articles is also claiming she says that many of the other former contestants she's spoken to since doing the show have shared similar experiences. I was surprised by some of the vitriol Amanda Abington got for saying similar but I do realise most people have a fairly basic understanding of trauma. Anyone else very interested in this story?

Faye Tozer is also being reported to have had a negative experience with Giovanni. But the word trauma hasn't been used in that story as far as I'm aware.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13262881/Rachel-riley-strictly-come-dancing-ptsd-amanda-abbington-exit.html

https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/rachel-riley-reveals-bbc-strictly-32493863

Rachel Riley says Strictly left her with PTSD and calls for show therapy

Countdown star Rachel Riley has revealed she was left with PTSD after appearing on Strictly Come Dancing as she calls for therapy for its contestants following Amanda Abbington's experience

https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/rachel-riley-reveals-bbc-strictly-32493863

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
LlynTegid · 03/04/2024 15:23

@lollipoprainbow I think that is underestimating Countdown.

@Mrsjayy agree with you about the use of language and exaggeration on too many occasions. Toxic has become overused.

I still think that the show could have a different format such as the weekly winner, semi final and final, which would have much less impact on those participating.

Kittycat333 · 03/04/2024 15:24

RR will jump on any bandwagon going. She's an attention seeking idiot. Although she was strangely quiet when her pal Jimmy Carr made those vile Holocaust jokes....

Hoplolly · 03/04/2024 15:50

Kittycat333 · 03/04/2024 15:24

RR will jump on any bandwagon going. She's an attention seeking idiot. Although she was strangely quiet when her pal Jimmy Carr made those vile Holocaust jokes....

She always whines that 'she's just a girl that's good at maths' not a presenter etc Get off the bloody tv then.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

tiggersfamily · 03/04/2024 18:07

Juicecharger · 03/04/2024 00:26

Criterion A for PTSD is: Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence. Unless any of that happened (which I doubt), she and the others don't have PTSD.

Bollicks is that the criteria. There is no specific criteria. Stop spreading bullshit

tiggersfamily · 03/04/2024 18:08

Why do people gatekeeper disorders, like only a special few are allowed to say they have been diagnosed with it? All very odd and uptight. Mental abuse and prolonged stress can and does cause ptsd in varying forms all the time.

Garlicked · 03/04/2024 19:22

tiggersfamily · 03/04/2024 18:07

Bollicks is that the criteria. There is no specific criteria. Stop spreading bullshit

Yes, there are. It's a medical diagnosis. PP linked this recently - diagnosis requires all 8 presentations, A-H.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/box/part1ch3.box16/

Also from a recent PP, difference between PTSC and CPTSD:
https://psychcentral.com/ptsd/cptsd-vs-ptsd-whats-the-difference#next-steps

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/box/part1_ch3.box16

DramaLlamaBangBang · 03/04/2024 19:30

tiggersfamily · 03/04/2024 18:08

Why do people gatekeeper disorders, like only a special few are allowed to say they have been diagnosed with it? All very odd and uptight. Mental abuse and prolonged stress can and does cause ptsd in varying forms all the time.

Because celebs saying they have disorders and suffer from PTSD because they had to do a difficult thing they chose to do leads to lots of other people flooding the system with their own self diagnoses, stretching resources that then cannot be used on people who are genuinely suffering and genuinely need the help. It also minimises the actual disorder if people can say they have PTSD when they don't. Many celebs are using things like ADHD to excuse their poor behaviour, leading to stigmatisation of those with actual ADHD. Often those celebs have paid an expensive therapist to self diagnose them rather than say they are just selfish and badly behaved and need to sort themselves out.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 03/04/2024 19:37

It's an interesting discussion, that's for sure.

Here's my two penneth:

For one, I think that yes, the reality of professional dancing will come as a shock to some of those not uses to it. It's brutal, in both the physical sense, and how you will be pushed mentally. Those who are used to it, are perhaps steeped and entrenched in some of the harsh elements of this competitive lifestyle, and therefore become immune. Those that can't cut it, then not to get to the top. It is harsh, but that is the reality. I've been both a dancer and a chef. Both worlds tend to be the last bastions whereby being spoken to in a way you wouldn't expect (shouted at and swore at) are still deemed permissable. It's not for everyone, and nobody should put up with anything that makes them feel like shit. I've seen folk who've been shocked and rightly walked away.

The show (and the profession) has meant that it does / can invite infidelity. It absolutely is an element that the press love, and it's been sad ro see over the years. Sadder still, that it is affectionately termed as The Strictly Curse. Again, the reality is that there are some professions where this happens more than others. The police service, for example. The difference with Strictly is that it is all public.

In relation to language (Trauma, PTSD, etc) it's sad that people are dismissed as putting it on or over exaggerating. Only those people involved know how much it has affected them. Maybe it has brought to the surface some other trauma that they haven't dealt with. Trauma takes on average around two years for a person to even recognise.

It's true that PTSD used to be almost exclusively associated with war. It is also (rightly) now recognised that other traumatic events can and do cause PTSD. As others have said, it's not a competition, nor a race to the bottom. It is only right to note, however, that there are levels of severity. This also comes with its own complications when we are seemingly all seeing Trauma and PTSD referred to more regularly in everyday life.

Language and terminology changes all of the time. It has definitely become more acceptable to discuss mental health. This is a good thing in many ways, but is also fraught with complications and is always going to be at the mercy of a selection of people who abuse those terms.

My Grandad was in WW2. After he returned from the war, there was a competitive element about those who spoke about their trauma and those that didn't. The ones who discussed it in any detail were often deemed to not really have been affected, as "If you'd seen what I've seen, you couldn't possibly even talk about it" That was toxic masculinity at its height as far as I'm concerned.

Both ends of the scale can be toxic and dangerous (those who never speak about mental health, versus those who seemingly abuse the terminology)

I always try and think twice before I comment on an individuals situation, as I'm not in their shoes. I categorically cannot know what they personally have experienced. In particular, it brings to mind survivors of rape and sexual abuse who haven't been believed, and I always find that heartbreaking.

Some people will use more emotive language than others. It does muddy the waters when that is not genuine. In the main, though, I think I'd rather give people the benefit of the doubt, unless proven otherwise.

Garlicked · 03/04/2024 19:38

Yep, @DramaLlamaBangBang. And somebody said the slebs get £200k for a season. They could choose to spend £200 a week on a therapist to help them handle the experience as they go through it ...

... and, if their publicist's any good, they could monetise that afterwards, bigging up both their dance pro and therapist instead of trying to trash the dancers' reputations!

awaynboilyurheid · 03/04/2024 20:21

RainbowZebraWarrior · 03/04/2024 19:37

It's an interesting discussion, that's for sure.

Here's my two penneth:

For one, I think that yes, the reality of professional dancing will come as a shock to some of those not uses to it. It's brutal, in both the physical sense, and how you will be pushed mentally. Those who are used to it, are perhaps steeped and entrenched in some of the harsh elements of this competitive lifestyle, and therefore become immune. Those that can't cut it, then not to get to the top. It is harsh, but that is the reality. I've been both a dancer and a chef. Both worlds tend to be the last bastions whereby being spoken to in a way you wouldn't expect (shouted at and swore at) are still deemed permissable. It's not for everyone, and nobody should put up with anything that makes them feel like shit. I've seen folk who've been shocked and rightly walked away.

The show (and the profession) has meant that it does / can invite infidelity. It absolutely is an element that the press love, and it's been sad ro see over the years. Sadder still, that it is affectionately termed as The Strictly Curse. Again, the reality is that there are some professions where this happens more than others. The police service, for example. The difference with Strictly is that it is all public.

In relation to language (Trauma, PTSD, etc) it's sad that people are dismissed as putting it on or over exaggerating. Only those people involved know how much it has affected them. Maybe it has brought to the surface some other trauma that they haven't dealt with. Trauma takes on average around two years for a person to even recognise.

It's true that PTSD used to be almost exclusively associated with war. It is also (rightly) now recognised that other traumatic events can and do cause PTSD. As others have said, it's not a competition, nor a race to the bottom. It is only right to note, however, that there are levels of severity. This also comes with its own complications when we are seemingly all seeing Trauma and PTSD referred to more regularly in everyday life.

Language and terminology changes all of the time. It has definitely become more acceptable to discuss mental health. This is a good thing in many ways, but is also fraught with complications and is always going to be at the mercy of a selection of people who abuse those terms.

My Grandad was in WW2. After he returned from the war, there was a competitive element about those who spoke about their trauma and those that didn't. The ones who discussed it in any detail were often deemed to not really have been affected, as "If you'd seen what I've seen, you couldn't possibly even talk about it" That was toxic masculinity at its height as far as I'm concerned.

Both ends of the scale can be toxic and dangerous (those who never speak about mental health, versus those who seemingly abuse the terminology)

I always try and think twice before I comment on an individuals situation, as I'm not in their shoes. I categorically cannot know what they personally have experienced. In particular, it brings to mind survivors of rape and sexual abuse who haven't been believed, and I always find that heartbreaking.

Some people will use more emotive language than others. It does muddy the waters when that is not genuine. In the main, though, I think I'd rather give people the benefit of the doubt, unless proven otherwise.

It wasn’t all toxic masculinity to talk or not talk after WW2 my friends uncle was a POW in Japan had to leave the room if anything came on about it, it wasn’t toxic masculinity that made him shake ( and drink) it was what he had witnessed and managed somehow to survive.Thats PTSD.
It doesn’t compare in any shape or form to anything that happens on Strictly.

Citrusandginger · 03/04/2024 20:34

user1471517095 · 02/04/2024 21:41

I'm more likely to think Rachel Rileys now ex Husband got PTSD from Strictly, watching it all play out for the cameras.

This.

LordSnot · 03/04/2024 20:39

It doesn’t compare in any shape or form to anything that happens on Strictly.

Oh don't say that, it's a fallacy of relative privation. Choosing to dance on TV for cash is exactly the same as being imprisoned in a Japanese WW2 camp and we must #BeKind.

TheIcecreamManCometh · 03/04/2024 21:33

And somebody said the slebs get £200k for a season

They all get a flat fee of 25k
An extra 15k if they get to Halloween (40k total)
An extra 20k if they get to the quarter finals (60k total)
An extra 15k if they get to the semis (75k total)
And 100k in total if they win the Glitterball
On DWTS in the States they get more.
Flat fee is reportedly $125k
WKS 3/4 + $10k
WK 5 + $15k
WK 6/7 + $20k
WK 8/9 + $30k
Semis/finals + $50k
So $360k in total ($295k when pay was cut)
This is why Mel C did DWTS and not Strictly as she thought with the latter, the money was "crap."

I agree that whether you're here or Stateside, that kind of cash would pay for decent therapy, aye Wink

ChorltonsWheelies · 03/04/2024 22:10

pickledandpuzzled · 03/04/2024 07:38

Surely it’s the perception of being unable to leave, and the perception of feeling threatened that causes the trauma?

There’s that research about children experiencing bullying and peer group fall outs in the survival areas of the brain- to them, it’s a survival issue even if their rational self understands it is not.

The continuous, ramping up of pressure, moving the goal posts, being in the dance off despite a high score, so feeling as though no one likes you… Then the exhaustion, both mental and physical, until you can’t think straight or organise your emotions.

Your dance goes brilliantly and you think it’s a triumph, then the judges all criticise it.
The moment standing, waiting for the red light to come on you. I can’t even watch it, let alone be subject to it.

From amateur theatre days, being shouted at because I forgot to wear my tights with my dress, or left sweat patches on the arms… The costume department would be tutting if you lost weight faster than expected, and commenting on your stubby legs or strangely shaped bust…

And that’s without mentioning your partner’s standards and your family’s reaction.

Honestly it sounds traumatic to me- I know I could never do it.

Add also - if you have a partner belittling you or behaving aggressively or physically uncomfortably in any way - you have to spend 12 hour plus days in close physical contact, hands all over you, doing what they say.

ChorltonsWheelies · 03/04/2024 22:13

DramaLlamaBangBang · 03/04/2024 19:30

Because celebs saying they have disorders and suffer from PTSD because they had to do a difficult thing they chose to do leads to lots of other people flooding the system with their own self diagnoses, stretching resources that then cannot be used on people who are genuinely suffering and genuinely need the help. It also minimises the actual disorder if people can say they have PTSD when they don't. Many celebs are using things like ADHD to excuse their poor behaviour, leading to stigmatisation of those with actual ADHD. Often those celebs have paid an expensive therapist to self diagnose them rather than say they are just selfish and badly behaved and need to sort themselves out.

I don’t know - a little bit of victim blaming here - like saying to someone sexually harassed in an office job - well you chose to go and work in an office… It just doesn’t work like that.

DBSFstupid · 03/04/2024 22:29

Oh FFS.
In my previous profession I worked with dancers/actors in the West End over many years.
They are highly professional perfectionists and natural competitors. It's a hard industry to be in (or was) and the UK and the West End are known universally for turning out the very best in the buisiness. (or maybe were, I don't know anymore.)
There was normally a 'Dance Captain' that used to visit the dressing rooms who 'gives notes' ( a euphemism for a slight telling off! )if necessary after every performance if even the slightest mistake is made.
I really am finding all these 'celebrities' that are complaining as just a soft touch quite frankly.

chachacharcoal · 04/04/2024 01:57

The information about the DMS is interesting (although I've seen it before). But I don't think it's binding on doctors in the UK, is it? I thought it was an American thing, albeit something that can be used for reference. Don't we more commonly use the ICD which uses wording that is a little more open to interpretation?

OP posts:
funnybunny2 · 04/04/2024 02:04

@ChorltonsWheelies I've got ADHD (diagnosed, NHS) and I'm more inclined to believe that lots of celebrities have it also, sort of lends itself to that type of career, so don't be too quick to dismiss their diagnosis!

ChorltonsWheelies · 04/04/2024 02:13

funnybunny2 · 04/04/2024 02:04

@ChorltonsWheelies I've got ADHD (diagnosed, NHS) and I'm more inclined to believe that lots of celebrities have it also, sort of lends itself to that type of career, so don't be too quick to dismiss their diagnosis!

Hi, did you mean me in your reply? I’m one of the few saying we shouldn’t dismiss it 😊

chachacharcoal · 04/04/2024 02:26

And in the DSM it does talk about "serious injury" but doesn't say whether that injury has to be physical (as far as I can see). A serious stress injury could be caused by massively elevated stress levels that could be caused by anything. I'm sure conservative doctors will interpret it as a physical injury but would imagine there are far more liberal doctors out there who would interpret it as either physical or psychological.

OP posts:
satonmyhat · 04/04/2024 03:37

Sorry @ChorltonsWheelies was supposed to be @DramaLlamaBangBang !

MiddleParking · 04/04/2024 06:42

ChorltonsWheelies · 03/04/2024 22:13

I don’t know - a little bit of victim blaming here - like saying to someone sexually harassed in an office job - well you chose to go and work in an office… It just doesn’t work like that.

She hasn’t said anything about being sexually harassed has she? She’s made non-specific and what sounded like fairly casual comments about the experience of Strictly, how it gave her PTSD and how she thinks there should be more show therapy or whatever. It seems unlikely she was being harassed if she spent the whole time with the man she immediately dumped her husband for to marry instead.

ChorltonsWheelies · 04/04/2024 14:14

MiddleParking · 04/04/2024 06:42

She hasn’t said anything about being sexually harassed has she? She’s made non-specific and what sounded like fairly casual comments about the experience of Strictly, how it gave her PTSD and how she thinks there should be more show therapy or whatever. It seems unlikely she was being harassed if she spent the whole time with the man she immediately dumped her husband for to marry instead.

It was an example.

Tahinii · 04/04/2024 18:52

I have no issue with people saying they experienced the show in a way that felt traumatic or indeed was traumatic. That’s a world away from PTSD. I’m afraid it does feel belittling of the disorder and it the way it infiltrates life and ones mental health. Might the experience have left someone with a clinical diagnosis of anxiety or depression or perhaps something else? Absolutely. However, PTSD has specific diagnostic criteria. The “event” that triggers the disorder has to be an event that is objectively a serious threat or risk or witnessing it, even if you did not directly experience it.

chachacharcoal · 05/04/2024 09:20

But they've been diagnosed Tahini. How can you belittle a disorder you've been diagnosed with? Amanda fits the criteria for PTSD very easily given what's going on in her personal life and was clear that the diagnosis was based on that and her time on Strictly (stress is cumulative and Amanda's partner was paralysed relatively recently in a work accident - they seem to be at the stage of having to fight for compensation and it's possible that she's now under huge pressure as the sole earner in a family with dependents and potentially sky high care costs). I don't know what was going on with Rachel but she seems like an intelligent woman and I can't imagine she'd say she'd been diagnosed with something she hadn't been diagnosed with. As someone has already pointed out, there are different criteria for CPTSD. I know people with CPTSD and they often refer to it as simply PTSD - it is a subtype.

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