Celebrities open up on struggle with depression

Risk of suicide may be higher with tension between their public and private selves, and fear of stigma


Local TV actress Eelyn Kok (left) and entertainer Irene Ang have both suffered from depression.
PHOTOS: MEDIACORP, SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS
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During one of the lowest periods in her life, local TV actress Eelyn Kok locked herself in her bedroom, kept crying in bed, went without showering for weeks and thought about killing herself.

Knowing that something was wrong, the then 23-year-old rookie actress searched online for the symptoms of depression. Most of the signs - persistent sadness, difficulty falling asleep and feelings of worthlessness - fit her to a T.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 10, 2018, with the headline Celebrities open up on struggle with depression. Subscribe