Katherine Heigl says anxiety meds have helped her live her best life, and she’s not alone. The Grey’s Anatomy alum sat down with him Yahoo Life in her series Unapologetically to reflect on her life in the spotlight, her journey with anxiety, and her life-changing decision to incorporate medication into her life. In the interview, Heigl explained that after the peaks of fame had subsided, she struggled to cope with public scrutiny, an inevitable side effect of fame of her caliber.
“I wasn’t grounded or stable enough in myself to not believe it [the public’s perspective of me] myself,” she told Yahoo. “I spent a lot of time in my early 30s worrying that maybe they were right and I was that kind of person. But then defending myself, in my own head, it’s like these horrible neuroses and anxiety states.
Heigl said the anxiety seeped into so many aspects of her life, leaving her feeling isolated and unstable. She credits aging for a large part of her recovery from this anxiety. But she also knows that being educated on how to take better care of her mental health, as well as seeking help through medication, have been critical to her healing.
“Beating myself up would have saved me a lot,” she said, reflecting on how her life might have been different if she had sought help sooner. “In my opinion, it’s the worst thing I’ve been through as an adult because I didn’t understand it. I figured it’s entirely up to me that it’s a moral or character flaw.”
This perceived weakness is a common obstacle in seeking help for people struggling with anxiety. Luckily, people like Heigl are helping break down the stigma surrounding mental illness and psychotropic drugs by sharing their own stories. “It basically saved my life,” the actor said, referring to anti-anxiety medication.
After seeking help, Heigl shared a new life and offered hope to those struggling with mental health issues. “I wouldn’t be who I am with the life I have right now if I hadn’t been through a lot of it: the career stuff, the mental health issues, the loneliness and isolation,” she said. “I wouldn’t have figured out how to take care of myself and I can now.”
If you or someone you know struggles with anxiety, National Alliance on Mental Illness has resources including a helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6424). You can also call 988, the country’s new hotline for mental health crises.