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Ileana D’Cruz opens up about battling depression and body dysmorphic disorder for 15 years

Ileana D’Cruz opens up about battling depression and body dysmorphic disorder for 15 years

The Bollywood actress tells fan in new powerful video: "Acceptance is the first step towards being a better you."
Updated 19 Sep, 2017

A couple of years ago, Deepika Padukone shared that she had struggled with clinical depression.

In a video shot for a denim brand, Bollywood actress Ileana D’Cruz has shared that she too has suffered from depression as well as body dysmorphic disorder for 15 years.

She starts off by talking about how she has completed 11 years in the industry but her plan was never to be an actor.

“I was a shy, self-conscious person once I hit my teens. I was constantly picked on for my body type. The obsession started when I was 15; my entire life goal was to be accepted by everyone. It's what I wanted the most but I never got it. I was always the wallflower."

"I didn't even know I had a body disorder so when I started off with acting, it just got worse. There was a period, approximately three years ago, where I would go from happy to completely depressed and not knowing what it was," she added. The most comforting thought to me was what if I just end things now? Thankfully, I realized this is not right.”

The Main Tera Hero actress then talks about how depression is tricky to understand.

"I never expected to be someone who'd be dealing with anxiety or depression. I've got everything I want and more and you wonder, why are you so depressed? I still don't know sometimes."

"When I was diagnosed with depression and was told that I have a body disorder, there was a sort of acceptance that came with it immediately. That is the biggest step you can take, you can't move forward otherwise. You're not meant to be perfect, you're meant to be flawed."

Several celebrities such as Anushka Sharma and Karan Johar have also openly spoken about grappling with such disorders and mental health.

Comments

mathew paramunda. Sep 19, 2017 10:06am
The best way to overcome depression is to keep busy. More action, less tension. Less action, more tension. Do breathing meditation. You may read the book Meditation 69. on amazon. When you feel depression, do not remain alone in a room. Leap out of the room. Spend time with friends. Go for a walk or for swimming.
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umar makhdumi Sep 19, 2017 11:32am
Very few people have the courage to admit about their past faults and flaws. Full credit to Ileana D'Cruz for sharing her sentiments in this regard.
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tahir saleem butt Sep 19, 2017 11:52am
EXERCISING FOR ONE HRS IS THE BEST REMEDY.
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ayesha Sep 20, 2017 02:18pm
people need to understand that sometimes exercising, meditation, keeping yourself busy is NOT the answer. at times people come to know of their condition at a stage that medical intervention becomes necessary, besides its nothing to be ashamed of!
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