Warning: this article mentions suicide
Christina Applegate has opened up about a comment she made about 'not enjoying living' following her diagnosis of MS.
In 2021, the Dead to Me actress, 52, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and has since been candid about her health and adapting to life with the disease.
According to the NHS, MS affects the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement and balance.
Advert
It is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured, although there are treatments available to manage its symptoms.
Applegate opened up about the impact MS has had on her mental health on her
MeSsy podcast, which she shares with friend Jamie Lynn-Sigler - who also has the condition - she has been in a 'real, f**k it all' depression.
"This is being really honest...I don't enjoy living. I don't enjoy it. I don't enjoy things anymore."
She continued: "If someone can come over and lay in bed with me and talk, like you have and like a girlfriend of mine did the other day... that's enjoyable. I enjoy that.
"But if someone's like, 'let's get up and go for a walk' or 'let's go get a coffee', I'm like, I don't enjoy that process."
After her honesty caused concern amongst fans, the actress has since clarified what she meant in the latest MeSsy episode.
"I was talking about some dark stuff that I was thinking and feeling," she said.
"I feel like when we hold things in we give them power. I also think that there's so much shame a lot of people feel when they're going through mental health issues ... and when people hold those [things] in, because they're so afraid to say how they truly feel, we give it immense power."
The actress continued by saying that she thinks it's 'incredibly healing and important to be able to express the thoughts, whether that makes someone uncomfortable or not.'
"By making such a big deal about it you're making other people think, 'Oh, s***, I can't talk about this.' And that is not OK with me.
"It's important to be able to say these things. And, no, I'm not sitting here on suicide watch, OK? I am not. Nor have I ever been.
"I dare anyone to be diagnosed with MS or any kind of chronic illness that has taken who you were prior to that moment and go, 'This is great.' You know?" she continued.
"No, you have moments of feeling, 'This is tiring and I don't want to do this.' But you do it, and by having friends like you and my beautiful friends that I have, saying this s*** out loud it releases the pressure in the balloon."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123
Topics: Celebrity, Health, Mental Health, TV and Film, Christina Applegate
Bec Oakes