Kristen Bell says she's suffered anxiety and depression for years: 'I fight it all the time'
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
"I'm extremely codependent," the "Veronica Mars" actress said in an interview on DirecTV's "Off Camera." "I shatter a little bit when I think people don't like me. That's part of why I lead with kindness and I compensate by being very bubbly all the time because it really hurts my feelings when I know I'm not liked. And I know that's not very healthy and I fight it all the time."
The 35-year-old said mental disorders run in her family. When she was young, she witnessed her mother going through the hardship. Later, her mother revealed that Bell's grandmother also suffered from mental disorders. She also told her daughter what to look for.
"[My mom's] a nurse and she had the wherewithal to recognize that in herself when she was feeling it and when I was 18 said, 'If you start to feel like you are twisting things around you, and you feel like there is no sunlight around you, and you are paralyzed with fear, this is what it is and here's how you can help yourself," Bell said.
Bell, who's married to actor Dax Shepard and has two children, takes prescription medications for depression and anxiety. She wants others to know that the stigma attached to medications for mental disorders is ridiculous.
"If you do decide to go on a prescription to help yourself, understand that the world wants to shame you for that, but in the medical community, you would never deny a diabetic his insulin. Ever," she said. "But for some reason, when someone needs a serotonin inhibitor, they're immediately crazy or something."
In addiction to medication, Bell seeks medical help whenever she needs it and eats a healthy diet.
The actress has a lot of company. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 40 million adults in the US over the age of 18, or 18% of the population, suffer from anxiety. And while anxiety and depression are different disorders, many people suffer from both.
Watch Bell talk about depression and anxiety below:
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- JNK India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Indian Army unveils selfie point at Hombotingla Pass ahead of 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market