Kristen Bell has reflected on challenging moments when she struggled to emerge from bed during the peak of her battle with depression, describing it as a difficult task. The 45-year-old actress, who first shared her mental health challenges in 2016, has dealt with anxiety and depression in the past. Recalling her decision to publicly address these struggles, Kristen mentioned, “I realized I had been portraying a cheerful, optimistic persona for many years, despite battling this inner heaviness. Once I was truthful about it, the overwhelming support I received from people encouraged me to continue discussing it.”
Kristen emphasized the recurring times when, without any external changes, her mind would convince her not to get out of bed by saying, “Today, you are terrible, and nobody likes you.” Speaking to Red Magazine for their December edition, Kristen further expressed the difficulty of overcoming depression.
In a candid revelation back in 2016, Kristen described how her mental health challenges had become “crippling.” She clarified, “Depression, for me, is not just feeling sad. It’s not about having a rough day and needing comfort. It completely consumed me and shut down my mental processes.” Kristen recalled that her struggles began during her time at university when she suddenly felt a profound sense of melancholy despite having a stable life.
Currently married to Dax Shepherd, Kristen openly discusses her mental health journey and aims to support others facing similar battles. In her professional life, she finds solace in her friendship with Adam Brody, her co-star in the Netflix series “Nobody Wants This.” Although the show has returned for a second season on Netflix, Kristen revealed that convincing Adam to participate was a challenge. She expressed her surprise, saying, “I spent months persuading Adam to join, but he wasn’t keen on playing a romantic lead. I still can’t believe he agreed.” Kristen described Adam as a unique and appealing actor who defies stereotypes, making him engaging to watch, even when portraying a pessimistic character.
The December issue of Red, featuring Kristen’s interview, will be available from October 23. If you require assistance and someone to talk to, the Samaritans offer a free helpline accessible 24/7 at 116 123. Alternatively, you can reach out via email at jo@samaritans.org or locate your nearest branch on their website.