Updated on: 09 October, 2024 05:49 PM IST |Shweta Shah
India is dominated by Bollywood and cricket. Everything the celebrities say or promote becomes an instant fan favorite. On World Mental Health Day, lets have a look at Bollywood actors who were vocal about battling depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
1. Varun Dhawan
This was during the shooting of his movie Badlapur, when Varun Dhawan started battling mental health issues. Not everyone knows about his struggle with depression. In an interview, the actor opened up about the time when he almost slipped into depression.“I was feeling down. I wasn't clinically depressed, but I was on my way there. To some extent, I was depressed. Because depression is a serious illness, I don't want to use the term loosely. It had a significant impact on my mental health. I was prescribed it and did see a doctor for it as well,” said Varun.
2. Ileana D'Cruz
If you assumed mental health issues were only limited to anxiety and depression, wait till you hear about Ileana D'Cruz's journey. The new mommy in Tinsel Town disclosed that she suffered from body dysmorphia, a condition where you're constantly disappointed by the way your body looks.She kept on finding flaws in her body, which resulted in social anxiety, depression, and even a low confidence level. Ileana went on to say that nobody's perfect, and even actresses are allowed to go through low phases.
However, such fears should not hold anyone back from achieving their dreams and aspirations.
3. Anushka Sharma
The Band Baaja Baarat actress suffers from anxiety. She took to social media and shared her heartfelt journey of battling mental health issues and how she tries to overcome them.Anushka Sharma said, "I am anxious, and I am treating my anxieties. I am taking medicine for anxiety. What am I trying to say? Because it is completely normal. This is a biological problem. In my family, there have been instances of depression. More and more individuals should talk about it freely."
She further added, "There is no shame in this, and there is nothing to hide. If you had a constant stomach ache, wouldn't you see a doctor? It's that simple. I want to make this my mission - to take any shame out of this and educate people about it."
4. Deepika Padukone
It is safe to say the Pathaan actress started the trend of being vocal about battling mental health issues and giving equal importance to them. Back in 2015, Deepika Padukone opened up in an interview about the time when she was going through depression.She also revealed how she would break down often and wasn't able to concentrate enough.
Deepika said, “I assumed it was stress, so I tried to divert my attention by focusing on work and surrounding myself with people, which helped for a while, but the nagging feeling didn't go away. My breath was shallow, I couldn't concentrate, and I frequently broke down.”
The actress also founded the Live, Love, Laugh Foundation, an NGO that aims to spread awareness about mental health.
5. Shah Rukh Khan
In 2010, the Jawan actor underwent shoulder surgery and also fought depression at the same time. In an interview, Shah Rukh Khan opened up about his battle with mental illness and how he recovered from it.SRK said, “I feel so much healthier and refreshed from within. I had fallen into a depression mode due to the injury and suffering, but I am now out of it. I'm feeling upbeat and energized.”
6. Fahadh Faasil
Fahadh Faasil opened up about suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD. The Aavesham actor was diagnosed with the condition at 41.The actor consulted the doctor and revealed, “He told me it is easily curable if it is diagnosed during childhood. I asked him if it can be cured if diagnosed at 41. I am clinically diagnosed with ADHD. Even if it’s not that big, I too have some traits of the disorder.”
7. Yo Yo Honey Singh
The popular singer-rapper opened up about suffering from bipolar disorder while he was being treated for alcohol addiction. It started on the sets of a reality show where he was a judge.In an old interview, Honey Singh recalled the disturbing times and said, “When I collapsed, when I [was diagnosed with] bipolar disorder and started to have psychotic symptoms on the sets of Raw Star, I realized something was wrong with my brain; something had happened to it. I wanted to rectify it. My family said, ‘You are bound by contract; you will get sued. There will be a huge loss.’ I said, ‘I don’t care. I have to fix this.’ It took me five years.”
8. Karan Johar
The filmmaker and producer opened up about being depressed and having a hard time moving out of bed. He also spoke about struggling with body dysmorphia and anxiety.During his chat with Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in the last season of Koffee With Karan, he said, "When I spoke about my anxiety, it was to share a part of life that exists. That exists today as well, while I speak. I've no fear in saying that 'I'm on medication."
