Coronation Street star Alison King has revealed that she suffered from depression after a severe chest infection left her unable to exercise and struggling to breathe. The actress, who plays Carla Connor on the ITV soap, shared her health struggles in a candid TikTok video, reassuring fans that she is now feeling 'good and happy'.
Chest Infection Led to Debilitating Symptoms
Speaking on TikTok, King explained that she caught a chest infection from two child actors on set at the beginning of the year. The infection caused persistent coughing that inflamed her chest and made her right lung hurt. She suspected that she tore her intercostal muscle, which is located between the ribs and helps stabilize breathing.
'At the beginning of the year, my nervous system seemed to need rebalancing,' she revealed. 'I lost my mum last year, last August.' The combination of grief and physical illness took a toll on her mental health.
Impact on Daily Life and Mental Health
The chronic pain prevented King from swimming, which she described as her therapy. 'Because of my nervous system and not doing anything, I was really struggling to breathe a full breath. I couldn't swim, which I do all the time because that's my therapy,' she said. 'I couldn't do anything.'
Unable to exercise, King admitted that she gained weight and began to suffer from depression. Fortunately, she sought treatment with reflexology and Reiki, which helped her recover. She reassured fans that she is now feeling 'good and happy'.
On-Screen Drama Continues
King has recently been filming dramatic courtroom scenes where Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien) stands trial for the murder of Theo Silverton (James Cartwright). The attack occurred on the night of Carla and Lisa Connor-Swain's wedding reception in April, where their daughter Betsy (Sydney Martin) found the body.
In addition, Carla is dealing with Betsy's life-changing injuries from a stroke caused by non-fatal strangulation, which has affected her ability to speak clearly. The storyline continues to unfold on Coronation Street.
