New Delhi: Beautiful, successful, famous and rich. Deepika Padukone has it all but still she had a phase where she was depressed and had to rely on counseling and medication.
The actress revealed her journey through depression and anxiety in an interview to Hindustan Times.
Bollywood queen Deepika Padukone was suffering from the mental illness just a year ago. She reveals in the interview how she was suffering during the shoots of Happy New Year, “Every morning, it was a struggle to wake up, and shoot for Happy New Year's (HNY; 2014) climax.”
Sharing her struggle to fight depression ‘Chennai Express' actress told the leading daily that her mother realized the problem and got in touch with a psychologist friend. But after meeting the psychologist she was resistant on taking medication.
Deepika also talked about how she took a two month break after Happy New Year, “But before starting my next with Shoojit Sircar, I took a two-month break to recover mentally and physically. I spent time with my family in Bengaluru and was soon better. But, when I returned to Mumbai, I heard about a friend committing suicide due to anxiety and depression. It was a huge blow.”
The Bollywood diva also opened up what caused her to come out and talk about it, “My personal experience as well as my friend's death urged me to take up this issue, which isn't usually talked about. There is shame and stigma attached to talking about depression. In fact, one in every four people suffer from anxiety and depression.”
Distinguishing between being sad and depressed Deepika added, “Being sad and being depressed are two different things. Also, people going through depression don't look so, while someone sad will look sad.”
Talking about how even successful people suffer from depression and anxiety the gorgeous actress shared her experience, “The most common reaction is, ‘How can you be depressed? You have everything going for you. You are the supposed number one heroine and have a plush home, car, movies… What else do you want?' It's not about what you have or don't have. People talk about physical fitness, but mental health is equally important. I see people suffering, and their families feel a sense of shame about it, which doesn't help. One needs support and understanding.
Deepika also revealed her plan on how she is working with her team to create awareness about this mental disorder.
Announcing her current mental state, Deepika says that she is much better now.
We salute Deepika for being so strong and wish her good luck in her future endeavors.
