Christina Applegate Admits She Struggles With Depression While Living With MS

Christina Applegate revealed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in August 2021, causing her to take a break from acting to deal with the illness. She has been open about her health on social media and on her MeSsy podcast with co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who suffers from the same condition.

During a recent episode of her talk show, Applegate admitted to sinking into depression and feeling some kind of “darkness” for the first time in decades. She got candid about her lack of will to live, adding that she is scared and trapped. Sigler responded with some words of encouragement, urging Applegate to remain strong.

Christina Applegate on dealing with depression

Although Applegate has not been active on screens since Dead To Me, she has fought through her debilitating illness to remain relevant; however, it has only gotten tougher for the film star. She described her latest TV appearance as “the hardest day of my life,” recalling how she spent hours on set and could hardly function after and spent two days in bed.

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Sigler lightened the melancholy mood by reminding Applegate of how she confidently stood before the crowd, who showered her with love and expressed support for her. She thanked Applegate for her delightful presence and for making her “laugh like nobody else can” while the award-winning actress listened attentively. Sigler also got honest about the reality of multiple sclerosis as a lifetime illness while pleading with Applegate to “enjoy life.”

Having held on for so long, Applegate’s recent breakdown is not far-fetched, but she has refused to see her therapist to avoid weeping. She chose to stay silent and not be vulnerable or too expressive. Applegate previously announced that she is unsure of how much time she has left as her treatments only manage her condition rather than treat it.

Coupled with multiple lesions on her brain, body sores, restricted movement, and numbness in her extremities, Applegate is also dealing with the mental repercussions of not being able to live fully. She mostly deals with her emotions by deflecting and engaging in humor, including a song she wrote titled “Dis-aby baby,” which states, “Hurry down the chimney tonight, I can’t because my wheelchair won’t fit down it.”