Actress Rhea Chakraborty has shared her personal experiences with mental health struggles, particularly her battle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Speaking on World Mental Health Day, she revealed how PTSD significantly impacted her life, causing panic at the slightest triggers and affecting her physical well-being, including her gut health. Chakraborty described a period where she had to drastically alter her lifestyle, becoming vegetarian and subsisting on simple meals like khichdi.
She noted the increasing prevalence of anxiety among young people due to intense ‘hustle culture’ and the constant pressure to achieve. Despite progress in mental health conversations, Chakraborty highlighted the persistent stigma, stating that discussing experiences with anxiety, depression, or trauma is still often met with judgment. She emphasized the transformative power of therapy, recounting her consistent weekly sessions for over three years, which she credits with saving her.
Chakraborty believes that shifting societal perspective is key to addressing the mental health crisis. She advocates for treating mental health conditions with the same seriousness and lack of judgment as physical ailments like cancer, calling it a ‘cancer of the mind’ that needs understanding and awareness.
Reflecting on the recent return of her passport, Chakraborty described it as a significant gift. She feels it has better equipped her to handle future challenges and increased her appreciation for normalcy. The ability to travel again, even if she doesn’t immediately, represents a profound sense of freedom and possibility, making even small achievements feel significant.