Back in 2016, Kristen Bell first opened up about her struggles with anxiety and depression, but she said she wishes she had done it sooner.
She said she “immediately felt incredibly irresponsible” that she had not already revealed her mental health issues when her husband, Dax Shepard, encouraged her to speak up publicly.
On Sunday, Bell told Willie Geist on Today, “He [Dax] was like ‘Why don’t you talk about your anxiety and depression?’ and I had never thought about that before. And I immediately felt incredibly irresponsible.”
“Me talking about that actually came from — ugh, I hate to give him credit for everything, it’s so annoying that he’s so right about everything, it really is,” she added.
The Frozen 2 star said that she wanted to reduce the stigma attached to anxiety and depression because “everyone thinks there’s some shame in it.”
She always tries to stay happy and positive. The star joked, “I’m like ‘bubbles, glitter!’” No, it’s not always that way. I am someone who takes medication for her anxiety and depression. I am someone who has to check myself and sometimes — if I’m feeling really low — make a checklist of good and bad things in my life to see if it’s my mental state or if we really have a problem.”
In 2016, Bell said, “I’m extremely co-dependent. 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 Lifeguard actress is on medications to manage her anxiety. She focuses on a healthy diet and exercises regularly. Earlier this month, she said exercise is essential for her mental health. “It should be the first stop for anyone who experiences depression or anxiety because it encourages serotonin and endorphins,” Bell said. “I feel so much more centered, patient, capable. It sets the next 48 hours for me.”
