Deepika Padukone: Overcoming depression has made me a stronger person

Most of us think that celebrities have it easy. But what we fail to see behind all the glitz and glamour is that they go through probably the same stress and depression as a common person does. 

And showing us this side of the coin is Bollywood's top actress Deepika Padukone. In an interview to Hindustan Times on January 15, Deepika talks about her period of depression and how she got through it. And with this interview she also shows that it isn't shameful to accept that you are under depression and seek professional help. 

To read the whole interview, click here.

In the interview, Deepika says that while she was earning accolades in the beginning of 2014, one fine day she woke up feeling different and empty. She refused to communicate this problem to her parents until one day when she couldn't bear it and broke down in front of her mother, Ujjwala Padukone. Her mother referred her to a psychiatrist and after a few sessions and medications, Deepika was back to her happier self. 

Deepika said that she was shooting for Happy new Year, one of the biggest blockbusters of 2014, while she was going through this phase in her life. 

'Every morning, it was a struggle to wake up, and shoot for Happy New Year's climax', she said. 

Her mother's psychiatrist friend, Anna Chandy, spoke to her and concluded that she was going through anxiety and depression. 

She took a two month break after shooting for Happy New Year and gave herself time to recover. Once she felt better, she came back to Mumbai, only to hear the news of a close friend committing suicide due to depression. This incident encouraged her to speak about depression in public. She emphasised on the fact that in our society, depression is considered shameful which ceases a lot of people to not discuss their problems with anyone. 

'There is shame and stigma attached to talking about depression. In fact, one in every four people suffer from anxiety and depression', she said.

Deepika said that it was difficult people to believe that she is going through depression. Most people could not see beyond her unparalleled career, her beautiful house, cars, lifestyle. But she presses on the fact that life is not limited to these factors.

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.

Towards the end of the interview, Deepika Padukone talks about her plans to extend support to others who are going through depression.

"I am now working on an initiative to create awareness about anxiety and depression, and help people. My team is working with me to formulate a plan, which will be unveiled soon."

Since the interview was published, Deepika has been receiving enormous support from her friends.

If you needed to love @deepikapadukone more, read this. And thank you for speaking publicly about this… http://t.co/nAVxWMndSj

— Rohan Sippy (@rohansippy) January 15, 2015

Bravo! Deepika Padukone: Mental health is our society's worst kept secret. Thank you for bringing Depression out of the closet.

— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) January 15, 2015

"Being sad, and being depressed are two different things". Amazingly frank interview of @deepikapadukone http://t.co/aacBGiPryn

— Ajit Ranade (@ajit_ranade) January 15, 2015

Deepika had mentioned on Twitter last year that she dedicates 2015 to Mental Health Awareness. 

Anxiety,Depression and Panic Attacks are not signs of weakness.They are signs of trying to remain strong for way too long.

— Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) December 31, 2014

#youarenotalone

— Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) December 31, 2014