Melanie Sykes opens up about living with autism and anxiety

Sam Moore
·2 min read
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Melanie Sykes attends the Together For Short Livesss 'Nutcracker Ball' at One Marylebone on November 20, 2018 in London, England. Money raised during the event hosted by patron Simon Cowell and partner Disney UK will go towards creating moments that matter for seriously ill children. The Nutcracker Ball is to be held in aid of families facing the heartbreak of knowing their child will die young. It will raise vital funds to support families caring for seriously ill children, and to receive the care and support they need to make the most of every moment together. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Together For Short Livessss)
Melanie Sykes has opened up about her autism diagnosis. (Getty Images for Together For Short Livessss)
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Melanie Sykes has opened up about her struggles living with autism and anxiety.

The TV host was diagnosed with autism last year and in a confessional video posted on social media, Sykes talked about her ongoing anxiety battle and how her life has changed since being confirmed as autistic.

Sykes said to her 300k followers: "Something incredible finally happened, I've been trying to get myself a prescription for medicinal cannabis and I was finally able to get an appointment with a few GPs who agreed that medical cannabis would help with unmasking my autism."

Read more: Melanie Sykes inundated with messages after sharing autism diagnosis

She went on to say: "The more I unmask and start getting rid of my thick skin and being open with other people, I've become even more sensitive than I already am.

PA NEWS 3/7/98 L-R: BIG BREAKFAST PRESENTERS DENISE VAN OUTEN, JOHNNY VAUGHAN AND MELANIE SYKES AT A PHOTOCALL FOLLOWING THE PROGRAMME'S 'FIND ME A MODEL' COMPETITION LIVE FINAL. (Photo by Michael Walters - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)
Melanie Syes (R) in 1998 with her The Big Breakfast co-hosts Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan. (PA Images via Getty Images)

"Therefore I have been experiencing a lot of anxiety. Some of you will know I've been in the process of coming back from a huge breakdown so I'm thrilled. It's going to be a huge experiment and hopefully it works for me so let's see."

Sykes also described how she has been taking CBD oil for a while to help with her anxiety, particularly when it comes to crowded places.

The former host of Let's Do Lunch has previously discussed if being diagnosed as autistic earlier in life would have impacted her entertainment career.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Melanie Sykes attends the World Premiere of
Melanie Sykes is a TV presenter. (Getty Images)

Talking to John Bishop for his podcast, she said: "There's no space for autistic people in this world.

"This is another thing that I'm going to change. Because there is no walks of life where it's okay, people are still scratching their head about autistic people and what does it mean."

Sykes currently presents Shop Well For Less alongside Joanna Page on BBC One.

Watch below: Melanie Sykes refuses to autograph underwear shots at TRIC awards in London.