In a candid Instagram post on March 1, Sheeran wrote about the mental health struggles he faced while writing his album. “Within the space of a month, my pregnant wife got told she had a tumor, with no route to treatment until after the birth. My best friend Jamal, a brother to me, died suddenly, and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and career as a songwriter. I was spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up but not being able to break through for air,” he wrote.
He took a break from social media during this time, and started therapy to help with his mental state and his eating disorder. Fortunately, he is now in a better place. Seaborn has also had the treatment she needed and is recovering.