Traumatic: Casualtys Michael Stevenson reveals birth of his twins gave him PTSD

Actors playing tough storylines can take its toll on a person - which is what Casualty's Michael Stevenson realised. 

The 36-year-old plays a paramedic in the grips of depression the soap, and this has affected his health and his home life.

His character Iain Dean attempted to take his own life earlier this year and the storyline follows him on his recovery.

However, Michael has now revealed how he believes that he suffered from PTSD after the ­traumatic birth of his twins.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Michael is a dad to six-year-old son Jack and four-year-old twin girls Emmy and Isla with actor Lauren Crace.

He said, ''I’ve not been the picture of health in the last 12 months. You’re very lucky if you can do that kind of thing and it not affect you.''

He continued, ''I didn’t go the gym for a year. What you’re playing on screen affects you in your home life. I ate a lot of junk food, pies, Scotch eggs.''

He added, ''There were times when I felt quite isolated. I drive two hours to work, then I work 10 hours playing a depressed person, then I drive for two hours to get home, on my own in the car.''

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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His mental health also took a battering as a result of the role.

He revealed, ''I probably had mild PTSD after my twins were born. That was a pretty traumatic time. They thought they had ­malrotation, which can be really dangerous in the stomach.''

He continued, ''I remember phoning my dad, they hadn’t heard anything from us for a few days and were worried, and hearing his voice, it all came out and I wept.”

Michael went on to say that showing his character Iain coming back from the brink is important to show viewers that there is hope.

He said, ''Nobody is immune. Everyone is affected by something, whatever walk of life you’re in. They can suffer but help is there.”

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