Believing the TV was speaking directly to you or hallucinating a gun on a table—this was the terrifying reality for world-renowned chef Heston Blumenthal. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2023, the culinary genius behind The Fat Duck experienced extreme mood swings, hallucinations, and suicidal thoughts before being sectioned under mental health care. What seemed like the darkest chapter of his life, however, turned out to be a turning point.

Blumenthal now calls being sectioned “the best thing that could have happened” to him, crediting it with saving his life. His journey from confusion and fear to self-awareness and advocacy sheds light on the complexities of bipolar disorder. As an ambassador for Bipolar UK, he now shares his experience to raise awareness, proving that even the most brilliant minds can struggle with mental health—and that seeking help is not a weakness, but a necessary step toward healing.

Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, who has been known for his experimental approach to cooking, has shared his own struggle with bipolar disorder. Diagnosed in 2023, 58-year-old Blumenthal has since emerged as an ambassador for Bipolar UK, making a point of using his public profile to help raise awareness and push for support for mental illness. His openness about having hallucinations and thoughts of suicide makes the extreme reach of the disease and the need to get treatment more clear.

Blumenthal initially made his diagnosis public in May 2023. Similar to many others who have bipolar disorder, he had extreme mood swings, from manic highs to depressive lows. His honesty about the condition has inspired thousands of people to open up to him about their own experiences.

In a recent interview, Blumenthal explained one of his most frightening symptoms: the feeling that his TV was talking to him. This type of hallucination is a common symptom of bipolar disorder and is both disorienting and distressing. Being open about such episodes helps normalize conversations about mental illness, still stigmatized in much of society.

Role of Family in Mental Health Support

Blumenthal's wife, Melanie Ceysson, was instrumental in his road to stability. It was she who eventually made the painful choice to have him sectioned, something that the chef now sees as life-saving. "If she hadn't done something about it, I wouldn't be here," he confessed in an interview. This indicates the important role that family and loved ones have in recognizing severe symptoms and intervening professionally when needed.

Being sectioned under mental health legislation is a severe step, yet for people going through intense manic or depressive attacks, it can save their lives and well-being. Blumenthal has admitted that being hospitalized was the "best thing that could have happened" to him, as it enabled him to access the medical treatment and stability he so urgently required.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a severe mental illness involving sudden changes in mood, such as manic highs and depressive lows. These mood swings can persist for days or weeks and can interfere severely with one's everyday life.

There are a few types of bipolar disorder:

Bipolar I Disorder: Involving at least one complete manic episode, which may be followed by depressive episodes.

Bipolar II Disorder: Includes episodes of severe depression and hypomania, a less severe form of mania.

Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder: Characterized by four or more mood episodes in a year.

Cyclothymia: A milder but chronic type of bipolar disorder characterized by continuous mood variation.

Typical symptoms of mania are high energy, less need for sleep, rapid thoughts, impulsiveness, and excessive confidence. Depressive episodes, on the other hand, can cause persistent sadness, lethargy, feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal tendencies.

Causes and Triggers of Bipolar Disorder

Though the cause of bipolar disorder is still not known, studies indicate a mix of genetic, biological, and environmental reasons behind its development. People who have a history of bipolar disorder in their family are at increased risk, showing a strong hereditary connection. Differences in the structure and function of the brain have also been observed in those with the disorder. Environmental precipitants, including trauma, major life events, and persistent stress, may also trigger attacks.

Importance of Awareness and Treatment

The move by Blumenthal to go public about his diagnosis serves to highlight the need for awareness and intervention early. Bipolar disorder, when untreated, has cataclysmic effects, ranging from an added risk of suicide. Research points out that persons suffering from bipolar disorder have a significantly increased chance of suicide and self-injury than the average population.

Successful treatment usually involves a combination of medication, including mood stabilizers and antipsychotics, and therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and lifestyle changes, including regular sleep patterns and stress management, can also assist individuals in controlling their condition successfully.

As a Bipolar UK ambassador, Blumenthal aims to leverage his position to shatter the stigma of mental illness and neurodiversity in the workplace. "I want to campaign to draw attention to how neurodiversity can enrich the workplace," he said. His efforts are vital in establishing inclusive workplaces where people with mental illness feel valued and supported.

The season is again transitioning, from spring to summers and some areas are also seeing early monsoons. This is also the allergy season in the US, and thanks to global warming, it has begun earlier. This has caused 25% of adults and 20% of children to experience seasonal allergies. While almost everywhere in America seasonal allergies are going on, there are certain regions where cases are more. You may be more prone to catching diseases. A recent 2025 report by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranked the 100 most populous metropolitan areas in the contiguous United States based on tree, grass, and weed pollen counts. The data also accounts for number of allergy specialists and estimates of over-the-counter sinus and allergy medication usage.

Each city was scored based on the three factors, and the scores would top out of 100.00 for the worst city for allergies to 45.29 for the best.

Each metropolitan area was also rated as “worse than average,” “average,” or “better than average” based on its levels of tree, grass, and weed pollen. Similar ratings were given for medication usage and access to allergy specialists.

10 Worst US Cities To Live In During Seasonal Allergies

10. At number 10 is Greensboro, North Carolina with a score of 82.08. The pollen rating for this region is worse than average.

9. At number 9 is Greenville, South Carolina with a score of 82.74, and rating worse than average.

8. Next up is Richmond in Virginia, with a score of 82.80. Rating for this too is worse than average.

7. The rating for all is worse than average, and on number 7 is Raleigh, North Carolina, with scoring of 82.87.

6. Little Rock in Arkansas scored 82.94.

5. Memphis in Tennessee scored 83.50.

4. At number 4 is Tulsa in Oklahoma with allergy score of 84.16.

3. For the top 3, we again have Oklahoma with Oklahoma City with allergy score of 86.05.

2. Top 2 is New Orleans in Louisiana, scoring 86.81.

1. For top 1, Wichita in Kansas has scored an allergy score of 100.00.

What Are The Common Allergy Triggers For US?

As per the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, in many parts of the United States, spring allergies kick off as early as February and can last through early summer. Tree pollen is typically the first to appear, followed by grass pollen later in the season, and then ragweed, which dominates in late summer and fall. In tropical regions, grass pollen can linger for much of the year. Warmer winter temperatures may trigger early pollination, while a rainy spring often leads to fast plant growth and a spike in mold—prolonging allergy symptoms well into the fall.

Ragweed: The Top Fall Allergen

Ragweed is the most common cause of fall allergies. It grows wild across the U.S., especially along the East Coast and throughout the Midwest. Ragweed typically starts releasing pollen in August and continues through November, with levels peaking in early to mid-September in many regions.

Other Plants That Trigger Fall Allergies

• Burning bush
• Cocklebur
• Lamb’s-quarters
• Pigweed
• Sagebrush and mugwort
• Tumbleweed and Russian thistle

What Affects Allergy Severity

The intensity and timing of allergy seasons can vary by location, but several climate-related factors play a role in how severe your symptoms may be:

• Tree, grass, and ragweed pollens flourish in cool nights and warm days.
• Mold thrives in hot, humid conditions.
• Pollen counts are usually highest in the morning.
• Rain can wash away pollen, but levels often rise quickly once it stops.
• Calm, windless days keep allergens low to the ground.
• Warm, windy days cause pollen counts to spike.

"My sister has passed away as a direct consequence of my mum's actions and beliefs and I don't want anyone else to go through the same pain or loss that I have," said Sebastian, son of anti-vaxxer and a British conspiracy theorist Kate Shemirani, whose daughter passed away from cancer at the age of 23.

Sebastian blames his mother and her beliefs to have influencing his sister into not taking proper cancer treatment. Kate, now an anti-vaccine activist and former nurse, had lost her license to practise in 2020 for misconduct and is best known for promoting conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccinations and 5G technology.

Her daughter, Paloma Shemirani passed away last July from a type of blood cancer when she was only 23. As per her brother's claim, it is the mother who is to be blamed. However, Kate and her husband wrote to the BBC, claiming that they have evidence against the NHS for her daughter's death. The BBC reports: "'Paloma died as a result of medical interventions given without confirmed diagnosis or lawful consent'. The BBC has seen no evidence to substantiate these claims."

Her brothers, Gabriel and Sebastian, allege that Paloma ultimately declined conventional chemotherapy—despite doctors giving her an 80% chance of survival—due to pressure from their mother, with whom she was trying to rebuild a strained relationship.

They further claim their mother deliberately isolated Paloma from her friends, boyfriend, and extended family, even as her cancer visibly worsened. Paloma, a Cambridge graduate who once celebrated top exam results with a bright smile, had dreamed of a career in publishing.

But her life, her brothers say, was tragically cut short under the undue influence of their mother, who gained notoriety during the pandemic.

What Happened To Paloma?

In 2023, when Paloma was diagnosed with cancer, doctors informed her she had an 80% chance of recovery if she underwent chemotherapy. But her mother, as reported by the Daily Mail, strongly opposed the treatment.

In a message sent in all capital letters to Paloma’s boyfriend, she warned: “TELL PALOMA NOT TO SIGN IR (sic) VERBALLY CONSENT TO CHEMO OR ANY TREATMENT.”

Despite medical advice and growing concerns about her mother’s influence, Paloma declined chemotherapy. Instead, she turned to one of Kate’s former partners, who encouraged her to consider Gerson therapy — a debunked alternative treatment that promotes a strict plant-based diet and coffee enemas as a cure for cancer, which Kate, too, has claimed, helped in curing her breast cancer.

Cancer Research UK states there is “no scientific evidence” supporting Gerson therapy as an effective cancer treatment. The charity notes that while some people turn to it in search of control over their illness, no credible clinical studies support its use, and existing research is often biased or funded by pro-alternative medicine groups.

Kate’s former partner told the BBC that “any assertions that I played a role in her death are legally inaccurate.”

As Paloma pursued this alternative path, friends began to notice her condition deteriorating, as reported in the Daily Mail. New lumps were appearing, and her cancer was visibly spreading. She reportedly distanced herself from anyone who questioned her treatment decisions.

Her school friend Chantelle shared, “I don’t think her ideology was strong enough to make those decisions. People have different opinions, but I believe her mum played a massive, massive role in it.”

Gabriel, one of Paloma’s brothers, attempted to visit her but was told she couldn’t go outside due to “bad air.” He initiated legal proceedings to have her properly medically evaluated, but the case never moved forward. Paloma died in July 2024 after suffering a heart attack caused by her tumour. She was taken off life support after several days in the hospital.

Gabriel only learned of her death days later through his lawyer and had to inform their brother, Sebastian.

An inquest into Paloma’s death is scheduled to begin next month.

Who Is Kate?

Now 60, she calls herself a 'natural nurse', even though she has been banned from practising nursing in the UK. She also made headlines during the pandemic when she used her social media account to claim that COVID-19 vaccines had a 'tiny bit of Satan' inside, and claims like the jabs caused cancer and contained material harvested from aborted fetuses.

She also claimed that the COVID-19 virus was connected to the rollout of 5G technology and described it as a political tool designed to alter people’s DNA. She compared lockdowns to the Holocaust, declared that NHS nurses seen dancing would one day “stand trial for genocide,” and labelled vaccination teams as “death squads.”

As of now, she has not commented on her sons' claims.

Cancer, Cause And Cure, And Unscientific Claims

Sebastian has previously described his childhood as “hell,” claiming he was subjected to years of brainwashing. He recalled being terrified at age 10 when Shemirani told him that "the Rothschilds plan to live on a space station" and that a mass genocide was imminent.

In 2012, Kate was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery, including a double mastectomy and reconstruction. However, online she attributed her recovery not to medical treatment, but to ‘Gerson therapy’—a debunked alternative approach promoting a strict plant-based diet, alongside vitamin and mistletoe injections.

"I'm still here and thriving. You can shove your poison mustard gas where the sun doesn't shine, you pimps and assassins," she posted on X earlier this year, referring to chemotherapy.

According to Chantelle, as reported by Daily Mail, a school friend of Paloma’s, Kate’s belief that conventional medicine had failed only deepened after her recovery. She recounted watching Paloma get sunburned because she refused to wear sunscreen, believing it—not sun exposure—caused cancer.

While Gabriel and Sebastian are now estranged from their mother, Paloma maintained contact, seemingly in an effort to repair their relationship. Like her mother, she also declined the COVID-19 vaccine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that every year, 700,000 deaths by suicide occur worldwide. While the global suicide rates have trended downward from the past two decades, self-harm has remained a leading cause of death worldwide.

According to the data released by the Global Burden of Disease Study, there were 746,000 deaths by suicide worldwide in 2021. Suicide was also the third-leading cause of death in the same year. The most number of people who died by suicide came from the age bracket of 15 to 29, notes WHO.

As per WHO, 73% of global suicides are reported in low-and middle-income countries. Four out of the 10 countries in the list of countries with world's highest suicide rates are located in Africa, including Lesotho, which has topped the list since 2018.

However, WHO also reported that the global rate of suicide has dropped by 35% since 2000, yet some countries, including Americas have experienced a 17% increase during the same period.

According to the WHO, the global median of government health spending allocated to mental health is just 2.1%. The agency also found that many countries with the highest suicide rates in 2021 had far fewer than the global median of 13 mental health workers per 100,000 people.

Countries With The Highest Suicide Rates:

10. At number 10 is South Korea with a suicide rate of 20.6 per 100,000 people. As per the WHO data, in 2021, it ranked at 10th highest overall suicide rate and has the highest suicide rate of all Asian countries.

9. Number 9 features Federated States of Micronesia with a rate of 20.8 per 100,000 people. WHO also indicate the collection of islands located in the western region of the Pacific Ocean and noted that it only had one psychiatrist to serve a population of more than 112,000.

8. On number 8, we have South Africa, with a suicide rate of 21.1% per 100,000 people. It has a total of 930 psychiatrists to serve a population of 55 million.

7. Next up is Uruguay, with the suicide rate of 22 per 100,000 people. It has the third-highest rate among South American countries, with 544 psychiatrists serving a population of over 3 million.

6 and 5. There is a tie at number 6 and 5, with Suriname and Solomon Islands, with a suicide rate of 22.5 per 100,000 people.

4. Zimbabwe had the 4th highest suicide rate overall as per the WHO data. The rates were recorded at 25.4 per 100,000 people. WHO data shows that the southern African nation recently allocated only 0.4% of its total healthcare budget to mental health. It was estimated to have just one psychiatrist for a population of about 15 million, although some sources suggest there may be up to 18 practicing psychiatrists.

3. The bordering country to Venezuela, Guyana is 3rd on the list, with a rate of 26.3 per 100,000 people. Guyana also has the highest suicide rate of any country within South America. According to the latest WHO data, nearly 3% of the government's health spending was directed toward mental health. The country recently had just 16 psychiatrists serving a population of over 826,000.

2. Eswatini is at 2nd position, with a suicide rate of 31.8 per 100,000 people. The country, as per the WHO data, only has one psychiatrist serving a population of 1.2 million people.

1. Lesotho, as was known, as topped this list again, with a rate of 36.7 per 100,000 people. However, the rates have improved from 2020, when it had recorded 41.34.