Shona McGarty is used to performing in front of millions. From some of the most explosive storylines on EastEnders to braving the jungle on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! last year, she has built a career being in the spotlight.
But behind the scenes, things haven’t always felt so confident.
The actress and singer has opened up about her long-running battle with social anxiety, describing it as a ‘little devil on her shoulder’ and admitting that at its worst, it left her heart racing and wanting to escape the room.
Shona, who played Whitney Dean on EastEnders for more than a decade, shared that her struggles began in her mid-teens.
‘I was always a chatty child, but as I got older, everything changed. Around 15, I suddenly became painfully self-aware. I started overthinking and struggling to hold conversations, even though talking was literally part of my job.’
Despite working in an industry built on confidence and communication, Shona says social situations became overwhelming.
‘My social anxiety would happen when meeting new people, with colleagues or even at family gatherings. My heart would race, my hands would sweat, and sometimes I thought I might faint. I sometimes pretend to receive a phone call just to leave a social situation. People would say, “Shona’s so shy,” or “she’s so quiet,” and it really hurt.’
It’s a striking contrast, the idea of a seasoned soap star feeling unable to speak in everyday settings. But that’s exactly why she’s decided to talk about it now.
Shona is sharing her experience as part of a new NHS Talking Therapies campaign, which aims to raise awareness of common anxiety conditions and encourage people to seek support.
In a candid Instagram post, she explained:
‘My social anxiety would happen when meeting new people, with colleagues or even at family gatherings. My heart would race, my hands would sweat, and sometimes I thought I might faint. I’m worlds away from that level of panic now, because therapy has given me the tools and techniques to deal with it when it shows up.
‘I’m sharing my mental health journey as part of the NHS Talking Therapies campaign to raise awareness of common but often misunderstood anxiety conditions.
‘This includes social anxiety disorder, as well as others like PTSD, OCD, panic disorder, phobias and body dysmorphic disorder. Nearly 6 in 10 people affected by these conditions have put off seeking help because they worried ‘it was not serious enough’, so I really want people to know that treatment is available – it’s free, confidential and effective. For me, reaching out for support was one of the best decisions I made.’
The NHS defines social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, as a long-term and overwhelming fear of social situations. It’s one of six common anxiety-related conditions highlighted in the campaign, alongside PTSD and OCD.
‘I’m worlds away from that level of panic now, because I’ve learned how to deal with it when it shows up,’ she said. ‘One thing that helps is imagining a little devil on my shoulder. I acknowledge it, and then I answer back: Thank you, but you’re wrong. I’m in control. I’m safe. People aren’t judging me; they’re listening because they want to hear me speak.’
She added that the biggest shift came from simply being open about it.
‘Acknowledging social anxiety instead of fighting it,’ she explained. ‘You’d be amazed at how many people feel the same way. A problem shared really is a problem halved.’
Fans have flooded Shona’s post with support. ‘You’re so strong!’ one person wrote. Another commented: ‘Thank you so much for bringing this to the light, Shona, you are a wonderful person, and an inspiration for us all.’
