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Christina Applegate has been candid about her struggles with multiple sclerosis since going public with her diagnosis in 2021. Now, she's revealing the mental health challenges the disabling disease has brought on as well.
In a new episode of her podcast "Mastering Multiple Sclerosis ('MeSsy')" that she co-hosts with fellow MS patient Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Applegate admitted she has faced "real depression" and felt "trapped in darkness" at times since her diagnosis.
"There were times that I looked at my life with MS as a burden. I just never looked at it that way before," the 51-year-old actress said. "I don't like to use that word 'burden' but it is Really heavy, that kind of depression."
Sigler, who has been friends with Applegate for years, offered words of encouragement: "I can't let you give up. And I won't let you give up."
The Harsh Reality of MS Depression
Unfortunately, Applegate's experience is all too common for those battling multiple sclerosis. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, over 50% of MS patients experience clinically significant depression at some point.
"MS patients face a perfect storm of factors that increase depression risk," said Dr. Leorah Freeman, Associate Professor of Neurology at University of Pennsylvania. "The disease's physical and cognitive impacts, the chronic pain and fatigue, the life disruption - it weighs heavily on mental health."
A 2021 study published in the Journal of Neurology found that nearly 1 in 4 MS patients had considered suicide, underscoring the need for better screening and mental health support.
"These statistics are alarming and show how crucial it is for the medical community to address depression as proactively as the physical symptoms," Freeman stated.
The Importance of Support Systems
For Applegate, having a friend who intimately understands her MS struggles has been essential. She credits Sigler with helping her persevere through the dark times.
"Jamie's one of the most pivotal people in my MS journey," Applegate said on the podcast. "She's been there since day one and has helped me through some of the hardest moments of this."
"Having that supportive community around you who 'gets it' makes such a profound difference in coping with the disease mentally and emotionally," said Dr. Rosalind Kalb, Clinical Psychologist and MS Expert.
Kalb also highlighted how open discussion around MS's mental health impacts helps normalize the experience. "By speaking out so candidly, Christina and Jamie-Lynn are letting others with MS know their feelings are valid and they're not alone."
