Ben Fogle says he was caught ‘completely off-guard’ by his mental breakdown after it left him with ‘nausea, crippling anxiety and paranoia’

Ben Fogle has emotionally opened up about his mental breakdown that left him with nausea, crippling anxiety and paranoia.

The beloved wildlife presenter, 51, who shot to fame on Castaway on the BBC in 2000, suffered a bout of depression in 2023.

Ben, who shares children Ludo, 16, Iona, 14 with wife Marina, has previously been honest about how his depressive episodes typically occur when he returns from high-adrenaline explorations.

However, his mood slump in 2023 caught him ‘completely off-guard’ and left with him debilitating effects.

In a new interview, Ben explained: ‘It was a complete breakdown; I suffered from nausea, crippling anxiety and paranoia.’

He continued to The Telegraph: ‘I’m better now, but I felt it important to share things when young men in particular tend to bottle them up. There’s no need for shame or stigma; it’s just part of being human.’ 

Ben Fogle has emotionally opened up about his mental breakdown that left him with nausea, crippling anxiety and paranoia

The beloved wildlife presenter, who shot to fame on Castaway on the BBC in 2000, suffered a bout of depression in 2023

In 2024 Ben was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

At the time, he opened up about having the neurodevelopmental disorder on Instagram, where he admitted ‘some aspects of life had become a struggle’.

Ben, who is also dyslexic, said that he had ‘changed neurologically’ after struggling with his mental health.

The Animal Park star insisted the condition ‘does not make me fragile, just vulnerable’, as he discussed his adjustment since the diagnosis.

Ben said: ‘I hate labels. I always have. The idea that a single word defines us is too binary and lacks the nuances that distinguish us. 

‘We are more than a sweeping binary word. I am privileged but I am also compassionate. I am a public figure but I am also quite shy.

‘I am dyslexic and an award winning writer. You get the message. The same can be said of our unique neurological differences.’

Ben, who has been married to his wife Marina since 2006, continued: ‘I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD *cue eye rolling*. I admit to my own cynicism but the reality is that I have changed neurologically.

 Ben, who shares children Ludo, 16, Iona, 14 with wife Marina, has previously said his depressive episodes typically occur after high-adrenaline explorations (pictured in 2012)

Ben has been married to his glamorous wife Marina since 2006, though she keeps out of the limelight (pictured together in 2018)

‘A recent mental health storm was the catalyst for my diagnosis. I feel different and have done for some time.

‘Some aspects of life had become more of a struggle, but with a diagnosis comes understanding and reason.

‘Maybe it is my age or perhaps a symptom of something more complex in wider society. I have ADHD but I am still me.’

Last year Ben said how saunas had helped him recover from his mental breakdown, admitting it has brought him ‘tremendous healing and happiness’.  

In a piece for The Times, he detailed his obsession with saunas, recalling the many different places he has tried them all over the world, from Sweden and Russia, to the likes of Antarctica and even the Chernobyl exclusion zone.

While he had first only enjoyed saunas for being contemplative and relaxing experiences, after his mental health suffered they also became ‘my medicine’.

If you have been affected by this story, contact Mind on 0300 123 3393