Last year, Prince Harry had a virtual conversation with the renowned psychiatrist Gabor Maté, who diagnosed the duke with four mental illnesses: anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
This news set off alarm bells about the health of the prince, who has been open about his emotional problems. Does Harry really suffer from these conditions? Let’s briefly analyze what they consist of.
Is Prince Harry ill?
Anxiety is a disorder characterized by excessive worry, tension, or nervousness. Its symptoms may include increased heart rate, sweating, tremors, and insomnia.
Depression involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities.
Post-traumatic stress arises after highly traumatic events and manifests itself through intrusive memories, nightmares, and avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma.
Finally, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder involves difficulty concentrating, impulsivity, and excessive motor activity.
According to Maté, these conditions have their origin in Harry’s childhood experiences, such as the death of Lady Di and his upbringing in the royal palace.
The prince himself confessed that his therapist also diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Harry revealed how he was initially worried about going to therapy for fear of losing the feelings he had for his mother as he dealt with emotions related to her passing when he was 12 years old.
As he faced painful memories from his childhood he discovered that therapy enabled him to transform sadness into an impetus to pursue happiness.
This statement offered many a deeper insight into the emotional challenges Prince Harry has faced and how therapy has been a transformative process for him in terms of understanding and managing his emotions.
What is certain is that Prince Harry has been open and vulnerable about his mental health struggles, seeking to raise awareness and remove stigmas.
With support from his wife, Meghan Markle, Harry only wishes to overcome these challenges and avoid passing on past traumas to his children. According to Harry, he uses his own experience to raise his children in a free and loving way.