Christine McGuinness opens up about loneliness and missing out on friendships
Christine-McGuinness, who received an autism diagnosis at the age of 33, has revealed that during her teenage years she faced a difficult time making friends. (Getty Images)
Christine McGuinness has honestly shared her difficulty in forming friendships, causing her to feel alone for an extended period.
The 36-year-old model and TV personality recently shared that she used to get really scared when trying to connect with people because of past experiences where she was let down.
In a recent interview with The Times, McGuinness shared that she was diagnosed with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 2021 as a grown-up. She expressed her desire to expand her social circle and indulge in novel experiences.
The mum of three will be featured on the Good Friday launch of Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales on BBC2. McGuinness joined six other personalities on this journey and claimed that she realized "the world isn't all bad" through the experience.
Before, McGuinness talked about the mistreatment she faced during her younger years. She claimed in her documentary, "Unmasking My Autism," which premiered in 2023, that a man subjected her to sexual abuse starting at nine years old and ending at 11. Furthermore, the same man raped her when she turned 14.
She got together with her former partner Paddy McGuinness when she was 19 years old and he was 33. They tied the knot in 2011 and have three kids together - ten-year-old twins named Leo and Penelope and their seven-year-old daughter Felicity. All three children have also been identified as being on the autism spectrum.
View: Christine McGuinness states that participating in a Pilgrimage has assisted her in overcoming her apprehension of passing away.
In her book titled A Beautiful Nightmare, the reality TV personality from The Real Housewives of Cheshire revealed that she purposely secluded herself at her residence quite frequently when she was wedded to Paddy.
She expressed that she didn't get to have a bachelorette party as she had no companions. She felt incredibly isolated to the point where she believed that if she were to pass away, no one would attend her funeral.
After becoming an advocate for autism and ending things with Paddy in 2022 on good terms, McGuinness stated that she no longer desires to simply survive.
"I don't simply want to remain secure," she conveyed to the newspaper. "I aspire to thrive... It's as if I am experiencing a new beginning."
McGuinness expressed gratitude for the pilgrimage as it allowed her to become more sociable. Initially, she was apprehensive about revealing her peculiarities in eating habits and mannerisms, fearing it would alienate her from others. However, to McGuinness' surprise, the members of the cast were compassionate and understanding towards her.
She expressed that the experience has shown her that not all individuals are negative in this world. In the past, she found unfamiliar things to be frightening, and even now, she still experiences a great deal of fear from the uncertainty of what the future will bring.
"I am attempting to transform the sensation of fear into enthusiasm."
On Friday 29 March, BB2 will air Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales and viewers will get a chance to watch Christine McGuinness on the show. (BBC)
She kept explaining that in the past, she gave up on friendships and convinced herself that she didn't need them. However, she later realized that she had been unhappy and felt isolated. It wasn't until recently when she started to step out of her comfort zone and engage in more activities that she discovered the joys of living life to the fullest. She admits that she used to spend a lot of time at home, not knowing that there is so much more to explore and enjoy.
McGuinness frequently shares her personal journey as a woman with autism who was unaware of it until reaching the age of 33.
She shared in a BBC program last year that she encountered difficulties in school during her younger years. Being sociable, making friends, and adjusting to social norms were all challenging for her. Home was where she found solace and felt most at ease.
At 14 years old, she departed from school as she faced difficulty in certain situations. During her interview with Heart's Dirty Mother Pukka podcast, she revealed that people failed to comprehend her struggles. Despite having family support, particularly her beloved mother, she felt misunderstood.
During her recent conversation with Yahoo UK, she expressed her desire to seize opportunities wholeheartedly after being diagnosed. Her diagnosis has motivated her to accept more opportunities that she would have previously declined, as she typically finds socializing to be uncomfortable.
I'm not a fan of leaving my comfort zone, but I'm starting to realize that I crave adventure, new experiences, cherished memories, lifelong friendships, diverse perspectives, and taking risks is the only way I can attain all of these things.
Discover more information regarding intimacy and partnerships:
The advantages of having friends for our mental well-being when we are grown-ups are explored in a Yahoo Life UK article that takes only seven minutes to read. It suggests that having just three close pals can make a big difference to our mental health.
Men's lack of social connections: what's driving their difficulty to form friendships? (Article on Yahoo Life UK, read time: 7 minutes)
Christine McGuinness was interviewed about raising her three children with autism. The interview is available on the Yahoo Life UK website and takes about six minutes to read.
