Helen McPherson, a contestant on the popular ITV game show 'Deal Or No Deal', recently shared her personal experience and the emotional struggle she endured during and after her time on the show. Despite the successful outcome, where she won £19,000, McPherson revealed that the anxiety surrounding the show had a significant impact on her mental well-being. She expressed that even watching the episode back caused her severe anxiety, leading to physical symptoms such as chewing on her hands due to stress.

The episode in which McPherson appeared aired in January, although the filming took place 14 months earlier. This gap created a layer of additional tension, as the anticipation and memory of the game lingered for so long. In her TikTok post, McPherson candidly discussed her feelings of stress and panic, not just during her own episode, but also while watching others compete, highlighting how deeply the experience affected her.

Her comments shine a light on the psychological pressures contestants face on reality TV shows, often masked by the excitement of winning. The emotional impact of competitive reality television is an underexplored topic, and McPherson’s reflections emphasize the need for greater awareness and support for participants post-show, as the thrill of competition can sometimes lead to significant mental health challenges.