YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Stories
Manisha Koirala
NEPAL
Manisha Koirala is a Nepali Bollywood actress who not only survived cancer, but battled clinical depression.
"It's something very common in every household. But we normally tend to hide it and not come forward and seek help. And if we know there is someone in the family with the mental illness, we always like to put it under the carpet. We need to take professional help. If there is an ailment, there is no harm in taking help. If there is a problem or any kind of challenge like physical, mental, there is always a cure waiting provided you want that healing for yourself."
Shama Sikander
INDIA
Shama Sikander is an Indian actress who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and once attempted suicide.
“For one year I did not even know what was happening to me so, I had no idea and I just used to feel very dark, gloomy and sad. I did not know what was the reason behind this, but I felt directionless. I felt hopeless and I hope that never happens to anybody because hope is what we survive on and if we don’t have hope we have nothing. The feeling was so dark that I would wake up at night and start crying without knowing why I am crying. Only someone who has gone through it can understand and how I feel it is.”
Lee Joon
SOUTH KOREA
Lee Joon is a Korean actor and former member of boy band MBLAQ who suffers from bipolar disorder and insomnia.
“I have a severe bipolar disorder, and people only saw what was broadcasted on TV. They don't see the effort behind the screen, such as the late-night rehearsals. No matter how hard I tried, my body just couldn't keep up with me, so it was very upsetting.”
Yoon Ha Lee
AMERICA
Yoon Ha Lee is a Korean-American sci-fi and fantasy writer with bipolar disorder.
"Because of my long history of bipolar depression, I’ve struggled a lot with suicidal thoughts; I’ve been hospitalized 2.5 times for suicide attempts/ideation (the 0.5 was a day hospitalization, where you get to go home at night and check your email). It gets almost to a sort of game-playing against myself–trying to create checks and balances so that I can find some kind of release for the suicidal impulses without actually carrying through."
IU
SOUTH KOREA
IU is a Korean singer, songwriter, and actress who struggled with bulimia.
"[After her debut] was an uneasy time. My heart felt empty, and I tried to fill the void with food. However, instead of feeling better, I became anxious and felt like I was lacking ... I would eat until I threw up. I had to receive treatment for it."
Changjo
SOUTH KOREA
Changjo is a Korean actor and member of k-pop group Teen Top whos struggles with bipolar disorder.
"I had bipolar disorder. When one thing went down, everything felt like it was bad, and even when I got a little mad I felt angry all day. I also had insecurities about my looks, so I went on a severe diet. I ate one meal a day or ate salad in place of a meal."
Varun Dhawan
INDIA
Varun Dhawan is ​an Indian actor who suffered from depression while shooting the movie Badlapur.
“I was depressed. I was not clinically declared depressed but I was heading there. I was very sad to a certain degree. I don’t want to use the term ‘depression’ loosely because it’s a serious illness. It definitely affected my mental health. I was prescribed and did see a Doctor for it as well.”
Deepika Padukone
INDIA
Deepika Padukone is a Bollywood actress who struggled with anxiety and depression. She initiated the Live Laugh Love foundation which aims to help people fight mental illnesses.
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“Being sad and being depressed are two different things. Also, people going through depression don’t look so, while someone sad will look sad. 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.”
Ileana D'Cruz
INDIA
Ileana D'Cruz is an Indian actress who suffered from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and depression.
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"At one point, I even had suicidal thoughts and wanted to end things. However, all of it changed when I accepted myself and what I was going through. I think that is the first step towards fighting depression."
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"It is a chemical imbalance in your brain, and needs to be treated. Don't sit back and think it will get okay but go get help. Like you have a sprain and go get yourself checked, if you have depression, seek help."