On a recently released episode of her podcast MeSsy, Christina Applegate opened up about the very "real depression" she faces living with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Applegate and her cohost, fellow actor Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who also battles MS, discussed both the physical and mental struggles they encounter on a daily basis, telling their audience on Instagram:
"We talk about feeling trapped, missing high heels, giving yourself grace, and so much more."
Applegate even shared a story about the difficulty she now faces just getting into a pair of heels.
But then the two dove deeply into the mental health toll the disease takes on them.
At one point during the episode, Applegate got "raw and honest" about some of the extremely low points of her experience, telling Sigler she "doesn't enjoy living" anymore.
The Dead to Me star shared on social media that the episode was recorded last year, when she "was feeling low and confused and angry at this disease."
At the time, Applegate, who was diagnosed in 2021, told her cohost:
"I'm in a depression right now, which I don't think I've felt that for years."
"Like a real, f**k it all depression where it's kind of scaring me a little bit because it feels really fatalistic. "
"I'm trapped in this darkness right now that I haven't felt like... I don't even know how long, probably 20 something years."
She added:
"This is being really honest... I don't enjoy living. I don't enjoy it."
"I don't enjoy things anymore."
Sigler validated her feelings and shared how she was able to find a positive outlook with her own diagnosis.
"It's so hard to live in a disabled body. It is so hard. I will not take that away from you and I am right there with you."
"But what makes it harder is when you compare it to how it used to be. Once we get you to this place where we're accepting that this is how it's going to be, maybe forever… [Living with MS] is not a reason enough for you to stop living because I sit here across from you, and you still make me laugh like nobody else can."
"You still make me smile. You make me feel loved."
Sigler continued:
"I can't let you give up. I can't."
"I need you to do it for me."
"I'm hoping that this podcast will also show you even more of your value and show you how incredibly strong you are and how much you deserve to give yourself a chance."
Applegate then admitted she's "afraid" to seek therapy.
"I have avoided therapy since I've been diagnosed because I'm so afraid to start crying and that I'm not going to be able to end crying."
"I just am so, I'm so afraid for those floodgates to open and that I won't be able to stop."
But Sigler assured her it's okay to feel those emotions and encouraged Applegate to stop "pushing it away."
"You can't keep pushing it away, otherwise you're going to be where you're at right now."
"You're like in a purgatory, you know?"
You can listen to the full episode below.
People on social media thanked Applegate for being honest about her struggles, and many shared their very similar experiences, assuring the actor her feelings are valid and justified.
Applegate later followed up on social media, telling her listeners that the podcast is a way for her to "air those feelings."
She tweeted:
"Hi all. Just some thoughts."
"When we hold in feelings of despair we give those feelings incredible power. Why Jamie and I have our podcast is to air those feelings."
"Raw, honest and triggering. And by just sharing we free ourselves."
"Never feel alone. There is always an ear somewhere. Love you"
Thank you for your openness and honesty!
