“I completely lost all sense of reality”: Behind the scenes of The Traitors, contestants’ mental health taken very seriously

Everyone knows The Traitors. Since it arrived on M6, the show has become a cultural phenomenon – that mix of strategy, bluff and betrayal that keeps us glued to our screens for weeks on end. But while it’s pure entertainment for us viewers, for the contestants, it’s a whole different ball game. Chatting with a few of them recently and hearing some behind-the-scenes stories, one thing is crystal clear: this season, the pressure has reached unprecedented levels.

A psychologist on set: the game-changing measure

We often picture reality TV shoots as well-oiled machines, with contestants happily playing along. But The Traitors is a different beast entirely. The format, built on psychological manipulation and constant suspicion, can literally make even the most grounded minds spin out. For the first time, the production has decided to tackle the issue head-on by having a psychologist permanently on site. And believe me, this isn’t just a marketing gimmick – it’s an absolute necessity.

A former contestant from the current season, still visibly affected by the experience, told me: “You don’t realise what it’s like when you’re watching on TV. Within two days, you become paranoid. You don’t know who’s lying, who’s telling the truth, and you start doubting yourself. I completely lost all sense of reality. It’s a massive mental strain. But this time, having a psychologist available, right next to the set, changes everything. You can unload at 3am after a tense round table, and it’s a lifesaver.”

“I cried for three days”: the reality behind the game

We tend to forget that behind the Traitors and the Faithful, there are real people. And the game pushes them to their absolute limits. A story doing the rounds among the crew, shared by one of the participants who’s left the adventure, paints a vivid picture. He was in a state of shock. Not because of his elimination, but because of the constant climate of mistrust. He admitted to me, his eyes still glistening at the memory: “I cried for three days after I was eliminated. Not out of sadness, but out of relief. It’s like coming out of psychological warfare.”

What’s struck me about this season is this collective awakening. Production is no longer just filming the tears; they’re anticipating them. Players now have dedicated time slots to go and talk, to decompress. It’s not a luxury – it’s the cornerstone of the whole setup. Because to play the game, you first need to keep your head together.

Chilling confessions from behind the scenes

Here’s a quick rundown, without naming names (a contract’s a contract), of what’s emerged from backstage chats. Contestants describe a filming experience that feels less like a simple competition and more like an anxiety-inducing pressure cooker:

• Loss of time orientation: the filming days are so long and intense that some contestants lose track of what day it is. The game becomes an alternate reality.
• Traitor syndrome: those wearing the mask live under constant stress. They have to lie 24/7, and some end up convincing themselves they’re the “villains” of the story, which creates enormous guilt.
• Faithful in distress: paradoxically, it’s often the “good guys” who crack the most. The inability to uncover the Traitors leads to feelings of personal failure that can become obsessive.

A success story walking a tightrope

What makes The Traitors so addictive is that constant tension. But seeing the production’s commitment to the psychological wellbeing of contestants this year, I realise the show’s success relies on a delicate balancing act. Too much pressure, and the game breaks. Not enough, and you lose authenticity.

So yes, we love watching Eric Antoine conduct his investigations with his trademark composure, and we get a thrill when a Traitor is unmasked. But I can tell you, once you know what happens behind the scenes, you look at the contestants differently. You realise they’re not just “players”; they’re mental athletes, navigating treacherous waters for our entertainment.

The good news is that this season, no one truly goes under. Because even in this grand game of manipulation, production has understood there’s a line that can’t be crossed. And that, for us, means we can look forward to many more seasons of betrayal… in complete safety.