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Helen Flanagan Discusses New Relationship and Co-Parenting Challenges After Recent Breakup
Actress Helen Flanagan has openly spoken about her current relationship status and co-parenting dynamics following her separation from her former partner. After ending her long-term relationship with Scott Sinclair, Flanagan has been candid about navigating life as a single mother to her three children. She recently addressed her brief romance with Robbie Talbot and the reasons behind their split, providing insights into her personal life and her ongoing journey with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
Navigating Single Parenthood and a New Romance
Just as it appeared she was finding happiness with divorced father Robbie Talbot, the 34-year-old former Coronation Street star revealed the circumstances surrounding his departure from her home in Lancashire. Their relationship began after they connected on Raya, the exclusive dating application favoured by celebrities, last year. Flanagan, who also participated in the reality show Celebrity Go Dating during this period, has now clarified the factors that led to Talbot’s exit in a recent interview.
Reasons Behind Recent Relationship’s End
Speaking to a news outlet, she stated, “I don’t want to declare this is permanent, as that adds undue pressure. I invited him to stay for a period because I often feel vulnerable alone in the house and experience a sense of security with a male presence.”
Impact on Children and Co-Parenting
Consideration for her children’s emotional well-being also played a role in her choices. Flanagan further explained, “However, Matilda is very sensitive and deeply attached to her father, and she finds it difficult when she doesn’t see Scott as often as she would like. I constantly consider her feelings when she misses her dad, and having my boyfriend residing here might not be beneficial for her.”
Reflecting on Past Relationship with Scott Sinclair
Reflecting on the dissolution of her relationship with Scott Sinclair, Flanagan disclosed that their bond had diminished over time. In a revealing conversation on Charlotte Dawson’s podcast, Naughty Corner, last year, Flanagan confided, “I still deeply love him, I care for him immensely, but we are not compatible anymore.”
“We simply don’t get along. I believe Scott – though he may not admit it – also cares for me and has love for me,” she further elaborated. This admission followed shortly after she updated her followers on Instagram about her experiences managing Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
Living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Diagnosed with PMDD in 2023, the mother of three has been transparent about the significant mental distress she endures in the lead-up to her menstrual cycle, sometimes feeling intensely overwhelmed and unable to function effectively.
Understanding PMDD
The NHS defines PMDD as a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that affects a small percentage of women. The former actress openly shared, “My PMDD has become considerably more manageable recently, and I will detail helpful strategies in the caption later. I often feel like I embody four distinct personalities in a single month, and any previous boyfriend has been aware of the severity of my PMDD.”
She also described her experience with PMDD, noting that she endures “intense symptoms for approximately 10 days,” which include acute depression, feelings of despair, worthlessness, anxiety, and ‘debilitating’ OCD.
Symptoms and Personal Experiences with PMDD
Flanagan expanded on her struggles, stating: “For me, the luteal phase can be the most challenging. I previously experienced very intense symptoms for around 10 days, including severe depression – sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, anxiety/OCD – OCD so crippling it made me feel insane, exhaustion, brain fog. Currently, I experience about 4 days before my period when I feel mentally unlike myself. I also suffer from significant bloating pre-period, to the point where I could appear pregnant.”
“I also constantly long for my period to begin because I know I will feel considerably happier once menstruation starts, and I will simply feel more equipped to manage any of life’s challenges and regain my sense of sanity. I have experienced this since approximately age 16 but was never truly aware of its nature.”
Exploring Treatment Options and Personal Preferences
Continuing her candid account, she added, “I have previously been prescribed sertraline for my PMDD, but it was ineffective for me (just sharing my personal experience; we are all different, and it’s wonderful if sertraline works for you).”
“It simply made me feel aggressive, which is not my usual disposition. I then experimented with Yasmin, the contraceptive pill, to help manage my PMDD, and that was also ineffective for me (again, great if it works for you; I believe we all react differently to treatments).”
“It induced severe nausea in me (I experienced hyperemesis gravidum in all pregnancies, making me very sensitive to hormones), and it simply made me feel depressed and unlike myself,” she expressed, before adding: “I also used ADHD medication for years, which ultimately made me quite unwell, so I became very averse to medication and wanted to explore a more natural approach as I felt I had limited choice (again, if medication is effective for you, for some people it genuinely is fantastic, just sharing personal experience).”