Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed he was treated with medication for anxiety while serving in the Lodge. Morrison sharing the diagnosis during an extract of his forthcoming book.

Canberra

**Scott Morrison Reveals Treatment for Anxiety During Tenure as Prime Minister**

Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has disclosed his battle with anxiety, for which he sought medical treatment while in office. In a revealing insight shared through an extract of his forthcoming book, Morrison opened up about the challenges he faced during his time at the helm of the country's leadership.

In an interview with the Australian newspaper, coupled with details from his book, Morrison described his time in politics as a journey deeply interwoven with his faith. His narrative is not just a political memoir; it delves into how his beliefs have shaped his political career, from a backbencher to the prime minister, and then his return to being a regular member of parliament. Morrison highlighted the severe anxiety he encountered, which he described as debilitating and agonising. He stated that without medication, he believes his mental health would have significantly deteriorated, possibly leading to serious depression.

Throughout his term, Morrison was at the forefront of addressing major national and international challenges. These included managing the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating deteriorating relations with China, and fostering the AUKUS Defence and Security Pact with the United States and the United Kingdom. He acknowledged that each of these challenges intensified his anxiety.

Morrison also shared reflections on the benefits of the prescribed medication and the role of his faith in overcoming these hurdles. In a statement to the ABC, he emphasized that seeking help allowed him to remain fully functional amidst these trials. He hopes to change public perceptions about mental health issues, advocating for the belief that they should not impede one’s capabilities or ambitions.



Scott Morrison reveals he was being treated for anxiety

Scott Morrison's made these comments in an interview with the Australian newspaper, and he's also commented on it in his book, which he's in the process of spruiking at the moment. A book, he says, is not a standard political memoir, but more a reflection on how his faith has guided his time as a politician from backbencher to Prime Minister and then back again. And he said that while in the role of Prime Minister, he was experiencing debilitating and agonising anxiety, believing he would have become seriously depressed without medication. Now, during his time in office, he says he was dealing with big issues from the COVID-19 pandemic to the deterioration in the relationship with China and also trying to cement the AUKUS Defence and Security Pact with the United States and the United Kingdom. And he said that with each challenge, that anxiety was getting worse. And we've heard also from him in comments to the ABC this morning that while he believes that medication that he was prescribed was helpful, his faith also aided him in navigating that situation. And he does insist, and these are his words, that he was fully functional because he sought help and he wants people to understand mental health issues don't have to hold you back.

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