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Joe Tracini, an actor known for his candidness about mental health, has faced lifelong challenges feeling at ease with himself. Growing up in Great Yarmouth as the son of comedian Joe Pasquale, Tracini often struggled with low self-esteem and depressive tendencies. Despite joking on stage as early as 18 months old during his father’s gigs, he admits much of his childhood confidence was superficial. His unique way of connecting with other children was through magic tricks, yet he endured persistent bullying. “I was like a little old man. I used to speak like a grown-up. I wore three-piece suits and couldn’t converse with other children,” he reflects about his early years.
At 11, after narrowly missing out on the role of Harry Potter—which he auditioned for six times—Tracini decided to change his surname from Pasquale to Tracini. The decision stemmed from a desire to build his own identity and not be overshadowed by his father’s fame. “I changed my name because I wanted to do things off my own back, I didn’t want to have something to live up to. I love my dad very much and we have a good relationship but I wanted people to like me for me,” he explains. Following musical theatre college, Tracini gained various roles in acting and television, including being a regular on the soap Hollyoaks. However, battling with a negative inner voice, which he calls “Mick,” he found solace temporarily in alcohol, drugs, and self-harm.
A decade ago, Tracini was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), a revelation that offered clarity and helped him understand his struggles. The diagnosis motivated him to stop substance abuse, and he has now been sober for ten years after several rehabilitation attempts. “I felt less guilty because I knew the drink and drugs were a symptom of my BPD. I thought Mick would go away but the medication made me feel numb and changed my personality so I came off it,” he shares. During the pandemic, his social media presence grew significantly as he posted comedic dance videos, sometimes wearing a leotard, capturing a wide audience. One of his viral videos detailed the symptoms of BPD, including mood swings, impulsiveness, paranoia, fear of abandonment, and emptiness.
Despite his rising profile, Tracini’s mental health took a downturn, causing him to stop auditions and work due to debilitating fear and panic attacks. He began writing a one-man show titled *10 Things I Hate About Me*, intended to reflect his life experience, but doubted he could ever perform it. Last summer marked a crucial turning point when, suspecting he might have ADHD, he sought an assessment. Using social media, he contacted an ADHD psychiatrist who confirmed the diagnosis and prescribed medication. “The drugs don’t help with my BPD but I feel like I get to start again. It has cleared my brain and I can function again. I can work again and I can write,” he says. This breakthrough changed his outlook profoundly: “Finding out has saved my life.” After successful performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Tracini is now taking his show on tour, beginning near his hometown, embracing a new chapter with hope and resilience
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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