Katherine Heigl Said Taking Medication for Her Mental Health ‘Saved My Life’

When you are struggling with his mental health, it can seem all-consuming, something Katherine Heigl is apparently familiar with. Heigl recently spoke about how she uses medication, among other holistic measures, to cope with her mental health in a Interview with yahoo! Life.

Heigl’s “people-pleasing” tendencies caused a lot of “mental instability” early in her career, she shared. This was exacerbated by the sexist and unfair press coverage she received at the time, leading her to develop “horrible neuroses and anxiety,” explained the 27 dresses Actress.

“I was at such an incredibly high level of anxiety…trying to be the perfect person so as not to ruffle the feathers,” he said. yahoo! Life. The talk surrounding Heigl’s 30th birthday put the actress in a “super lonely place.”

Now 43 years old, I wish I’d known it was okay seek mental health treatment previously, he explained in the recent interview. Part of that treatment currently includes taking medication, which “essentially saved my life,” Heigl revealed.

This is not the first time that the firefly lane Star has opened up about taking medication for her mental health. In August 2022, the star saying parade who started taking Zoloft, a selective medication serotonin reuptake inhibitor which helps increase serotonin levels (also known as the mood regulating hormone) in the brain on the advice of a therapist. drugs like Zoloft it can help alleviate symptoms of mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.

“I worked very hard to control my anxiety for years and really struggled,” Heigl said. parade. She “was really reluctant to take any medication,” instead relying on holistic methods like prayer, meditation, holding crystals, and taking long walks in nature. “I tried everything to stop it, but my mind took over: the scary part, not the good part,” she admitted.

Once she started taking medication, Heigl began to feel some relief very quickly, she explained. Now him Grey’s Anatomy Alum has found a combination of natural mood boosters, medication, and talk therapy helpful. It is something that many experts recommend for those who suffer from anxiety and depression.

How do medicines help with anxiety?

ICYDK, antidepressant medications Because Zoloft can provide short- and long-term relief by helping to stimulate certain neurotransmitters (also known as chemicals that help send messages between brain cells), such as serotonin and dopamine, Zishan Khan, M.D.a Mindpath Health psychiatrist, says Form. “Medication may be crucial in decreasing the intensity of the anxiety response one has on a day-to-day basis by leveling out these neurotransmitters or increasing their effects in the brain, decreasing or preventing potentially debilitating or disruptive anxiety.”

Curious about whether you could benefit from prescription drugs? “If you’re experiencing anxiety that feels debilitating or hinders your ability to fully participate in your life, medication can offer more immediate symptom relief and help you feel more like yourself and able to live normally,” says Anisha Patel-Dunn. , DO, psychiatrist and medical director of Health LifeStance. “For some people, medication is the only thing that can provide enough relief for them to function and feel their best.”

The first step in taking medication for mental health problems is to see a licensed mental health professional, says Dr. Patel-Dunn. Also, studies show that treating depression and anxiety with medication and talk therapy may be more effective than either method alone, he adds.

breaking the stigma

talking about mental health it can be difficult, in large part because of the ongoing stigma surrounding it. “Many people experience shame because they feel like they are weak for not being able to handle their anxiety on their own,” says Dr. Khan.

While progress has been made in destigmatizing mental health care, much remains to be done, adds Dr. Patel-Dunn. “The truth is that mental health is just as important as physical health,” she says. “And just like drugs are used as a tool to treat disease and injury to help [you] feel [your] better, it is also a critically important tool to support [your] mental and emotional well-being.

Heigl’s outspokenness as a public figure is especially important in changing the public’s mindset about the use of medication for mental health issues. “Help others realize they’re not alone,” says Dr. Khan. “You’re not abnormal for having a hard time controlling your anxiety… Even rich and famous people deal with similar struggles,” he continues. “It normalizes mental health disorders and encourages the general population to seek help and not shy away from addressing their problems.”

Hopefully, Heigl’s recent comments can help others dealing with mental health issues feel less alone and seek the help they need.