Prince Harry’s 'adrenaline crash' explained: What prolonged stress can do to your mental health

Prince Harry has opened up about a difficult period in his life, revealing that he slipped into depression for about two weeks in 2019 while taking a break from royal duties before he formally stepped down.

The Duke of Sussex said the episode occurred after he and Meghan travelled to Canada for a six-week break amid growing tensions within the British royal family. According to Reuters, Harry described experiencing what he called an “adrenaline crash” after stepping away from a highly stressful environment. He also discussed feeling "emotionally numb" after

his mother died.

As per Harry, he had become accustomed to functioning under stress and the sudden reduction in pressure left him struggling to function normally. He said he believed he had become dependent on stress and adrenaline to keep his mind functioning.

"Being in Canada, away from the stressful environment where presumably my body was just pumped full of adrenaline, within two or three days, I experienced this adrenaline crash, something that I'd never experienced before," he said, according to media reports.

Prince Harry opens up about depression and grief

Harry also connected his mental health struggles to the death of his mother, Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in 1997 when he was 12 years old.

He reflected on how he had struggled to process the loss and suggested that he had believed experiencing sadness was necessary to prove how much he missed his mother.

His comments highlight the complicated relationship between grief, emotional suppression and mental health. Grief can affect people differently, and prolonged emotional distress may sometimes contribute to mental health difficulties.

What is depression?

Depression is a common mental health condition that can affect mood, thoughts, behaviour and everyday functioning. As per the Cleveland Clinic, it can cause ongoing sadness, low energy and loss of interest in things you once enjoyed. With the right treatment, including therapy or medication, many people start to feel better.

Symptoms may include persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, low energy, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, feelings of hopelessness and difficulty carrying out normal activities.

Harry's description of an “adrenaline crash” also draws attention to the effects prolonged stress can have on the body and mind. It is the severe physical and mental exhaustion that occurs as the body's stress hormones fall suddenly after a high-stress event.

Please consult a mental health expert for more information.