Kristen Bell Explains There Is No Shame In Feeling Anxiety & Depression 

It's funny but when she's being candid about desperately needing to be liked, it makes you like her that much more. Being real still gets her what she craves but she's less needy about it. It's virtually impossible not to like this woman.

As I've gotten older, I've really taken note that a lot of people who are overly cheery seem to use it to cover up sadness or depression. Not all, but quite a few. I respect her for speaking about it.

What a phenomenal perspective on mental health. Not trying to be a victim, not trying to draw sympathy - just practically attacking symptoms. She's great.

It makes me happy to see all the kind and supportive comments on this video instead of the typical youtube nastiness.

This is the best interview program, bar none. Good for you, Kristen, for being open about mental illness.

Someone once told me, "Be at least as compassionate toward yourself as you would be toward anyone else." Never be ashamed of any health issues. Be they mental health issues or physical health issues.

Yay for normalizing anti-anxiety / anti-depressant medication without shame!

I wish I had had that discussion with my mom. I hope I can make it easier for my children. Thank you for sharing that story.

I have anxiety so bad that it's hard for me to go into public places: work, stores, etc. It's pretty lame that in our country, the wealthiest one on the planet, that people still tell me (and others like me) that what I have is not disabling. Most people who think this way probably have never experienced true panic disorder. It makes every little thing feel like the end of the world. It's not a "just get over it" kind of thing.

She's just the best.

Her mom is awesome. So many need that conversation about what depression and anxiety looks like/feels like.

What a beautiful person inside and out.

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for being so open and honest. Great job on being so compassionate and empathetic with the interview as well.

I applaud Kristen for being open & honest about her issues with codependency. I'm glad she is self-aware of her issues with depression & anxiety & that she takes steps to help herself. I don't think there is anything wrong with needing medical attention & she does what she needs to do to cope with it. I think many of us can be codependent because we are sensitive to what people think of us & we don't always know how to deal with rejection or not being liked. However, pretending to be someone we are not or trying to be everything for everyone will only make us sick. It's virtually impossible to please everyone. I appreciate her growth & understanding, maybe it still continues to be a journey for her, but her mindfulness of it is how she can adapt...because how can a very sensitive person adapt in a world full of judgmental, critical, snarky, mean-spirited energy vampires that suck & drain your soul? I don't know if there is right or wrong answer. Some will say... grow thicker skin, learn to not care what people think about you, grow a backbone, ignore it, etc. However, learning to step into your power is key to helping yourself. Knowing that you have the power to conquer your demons & your fears. Empower yourself!

What a great person. Thank you for being so honest :)

I salute her - and I salute her mother for ensuring that she at least knew what to look for. That can make a world of difference.

How courageous of her to share this. I suffer from anxiety and depression, and seeing this is so comforting. Thank you, Kristin Bell!

wow, i dont recall her ever bringing this up before. great interview. love her perspective on this

just this morning I tried to just mention casually to one of my friends that I have anxiety and she was like "OH MY GOD Why are you saying that out loud??" Like it was something I should be embarrassed about or keep a secret in case it affects someone else. then this showed up, and it was exactly what I needed. I don't enjoy having anxiety, but I sure as hell am not going to be embarrassed about it.

It's great to hear people say this out loud. I struggled with anxiety and depression for years which eventually lead me to alcoholism for a while before I realized I had mental health issues and needed help. It's okay to admit this to yourself, get help and get better. Thank you :)

I knew I always adored her and this confirmed it even more

oh how i love kristen bell even more now. i dont know when it will stop surprising me when such lovely, bubbly, energetic, positive and charasmatic people come out about their own fights with mental health. i hope i can become such a person eventually

She’s so real. I thought she would be the type who has never gone through depression or anxiety of any sort, judging by her bubbly and outgoing personality, so this was a shocker to me. But she’s not afraid to talk about it. She never tries to polish herself as the perfect goodie girl despite the many people who probably thinks she is. She is a true role model.

I would never have guessed this about her, especially after her great performance on "Heroes". Clearly she is a strong person.

I didn't know I could love her more.

Really refreshing to hear this from more actors and actresses 😊

This resonates so strongly with me. Like Kristen, I exude a bubbly, cheerful personality, but I suffer with depression. I meditate often and check-in with myself. It's always nice to see you're not alone. Thank you for sharing this.

This is beautiful. Her honesty is so refreshing.

This was great. I take pills - as needed - for bad anxiety. Some days I don't need anything, but some other days are harder. I never felt shame in having anxiety but it is great to hear from someone else about their struggles, especially someone "who looks fine". Inside, you might not be fine. I thought this was such a great piece and I hope more people watch this.

I needed this, I sometimes feel embarrassed for what I have to take for my mental illness but hearing someone like her speak with confidence makes me feel so good❤️

WOW this couldn't have come at a better time. I literally just posted yesterday to my followers that I had severe and often times debilitating anxiety and what helps me is social media. Because I tend to isolate myself and that helps me to be productive and interact with the world around me.

Love this so much. Especially since I deal with really bad anxiety myself.

You go, girlfriend. You aren't alone.

So glad this interview sheds light on the double standard because I am a nurse who struggles with anxiety, depression and PTSD when it gets bad it is bad. I know enough to get help when I need it and to talk but those around me either have no clue because of the “Face” I put on or they just don’t get it. Thank you Kristen♥️

I've always suffered with anxiety and depression, and lately now that I'm older I feel like it's gotten a lot worse than before. It's even harder when my parents who are in the medical field don't take it as a serious problem. My dad tries to avoid the conversation, while my mom tells me all I have to do is exercise. It is a mental health, which I wish people could educate and take it more seriously... because it is harder to see. Unlike physical illness like a cold, it can easily be medicated. I've grew up caring too much of what others thought of me, and not being able to do great opportunities cause of my anxiety. If it wasn't for my bf, I would feel completely alone in this.

I have sartona embalance too. I have anxiety and depression. I do now get help and handle it better than before. She is a great actress. Many blessings to her!

Damn her mum is awesome. I have severe depression and anxiety with friends thinking im lying and parents who are too busy to help.

That must have been so hard to play Veronica Mars then - a character which had to be hated and disliked by other characters! Well done Kristen for being so honest. One of my favourite actresses for years!!

We desperatley NEED this kind of perspective here in Ireland. I feel like we are sooo far behind and so ignorant when it comes to mental health in comparison with the U.S. and other countries. I wouldn't expect to see that kind of recognition, acceptance, understanding and openness as a adult let alone in childhood.

I can relate to this so much, thank you so much Kristen.

This really struck me that my Veronica Mars had gone through a version of what im going through i can not count the times i have been so grateful for the honesty of actors in sharing their experiences with life off camera. i know for alot of them its all they know but i still feel its as valuable to me as the work they do on camera.

This is amazing. It's like we can all benefit from her mother's wisdom, and hers. We need more people normalizing anxiety and depression, and I didn't think it was possible for me to like Kristen Bell any more than I already did, but now I do!

This is so powerful. I’m sitting in bed right now for hours binging these as I’ve just discovered this show. Feeling very inspired about ideas for my show for 2021!

Thank you for being so open. It's time that the stigma around depression, anxiety, etc is extinguished.

I love these interviews and these honest talk ! thank you, it's so refreshing from the others interviews that we're used to watch

I really enjoy these interviews. I recently found the channel and I have been hooked, I love the Rawness of them and the fact they are more of a casual conversation and not an interview. they are very real. Thank you for this, This episode in particular is one i will most likely come back to often.

Good for you! I am the same and I did feel like I could not talk about it for many years. Now I am completely open and honest about it. It's thanks to people like you that the cloak is being lifted. Thank you!

This helped me so much to go on a prescription! Thank you so much...I always visit this video, whenever I have doubts

I am so happy I came upon this channel...I really respect that the interviewer LISTENS....it is an art and you do it well.....I will be watching all now...thank you..very informative..

Thanks youtube for suggesting I watch this video, I needed that more than I can tell.

I'm so glad I found this channel on a random late-night Breaking Bad binge. This is one of the best interview shows I've ever encountered, and this episode has become something special to me. Thank you for this channel and keep up the awesome work.

I'm only seeing this now but thank you Kristen for sharing this. It helps to know that there are so many people out there going through the same things I do. Especially famous people coming out and sharing it. I feel like Im just like you in the sense where I'm always nice to people and hide my depression. I know I need help because I know I have no reason to feel this way. I have so many friends an family that love me, a roof over my head and a steady job etc. But watching and hearing this helps a lot.

wow this is incredible...my mom and I had the same talk...it made such a difference in my life and allowed me to save myself so many times..her permission to be allowed not to be ok made me so.self aware and gave me the strength to ask for help when I needed it...moms are the most wonderful people in the world..

my family have been there with me thru much of my adversity - as i battle Anx/Depression. lonliness has fuelled alot of it but i'm no stranger to meds - I think Kristen talking about it opens up the gates to empower a young generation in to not feeling any shame and to find the people to talk to. kudos x

2019, first time seeing this. I love what she has to say, I really relate to her. My doctor gave me the same metaphor of explaining we wouldn't shame or keep a diabetic from their insulin. This resonates with me.

Thank you so much for sharing, it means a lot to hear this right now.

This gave me so much hope. I struggle with depression and anxiety since I was very young. I hid it until I was in my 20's. The damage this has caused me is horrible. I've been doing great since I've addressed it and started admitting it and taking a prescription for it. I wish i would of had someone to tell me it was okay when I was younger. When I have kids, I will address it the same way your mother did with you. Sending love.

I love this interview ... She is so beautifully honest ... This is so rare.

Amazing interview, so honest. I wish this had 100x the views.

"you would never deny a diabetic their insulin" wow what a powerful thing to say

It's a very refreshing feeling when you come across such a video where you can relate in every way. Love Kristen Bell!

I teared up watching this. This interview was so helpful to so many people.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for being so open and vulnerable! You have no idea how much these 4 minutes can really help someone. The fear of rejection, the anxiety and depression associated with trying to please others can be so debilitating. But there is hope and there is sunshine in the end once you realize you are not alone in this journey and that you can work this out.

What an amazing person. Thank you for speaking so candidly about this, from a fellow anxietytress.

Great, love listening to her. Straight out honesty from this is very appreciated. Also - the many other artistes featured on this channel

Thank you for sharing. After over 20 years, I am just starting to feel comfortable discussing my struggles with depression and anxiety. It got to the point when I was tired of trying to come up with lame excuses for missing social engagements. After being repeatedly asked to attend some events by a friend. I was upfront with them and told them that I suffer from depression and anxiety and I could not bear to leave my house, let alone put on a fake smile and be surrounded by a dozen people. The mask became harder to put on.

She is a saint for being so open and honest! I was craving this kind of dialogue for so long! Absolutely beautiful! I just wanna hug ppl like her and tell her thank you!

Love this entire interview!! Thank you Kirsten for such an honest account!! You've slightly restored my faith in human nature a little... You are a beautiful human!!

I don't often leave comments on RU-vid videos, but for some reason I feel compelled to leave this here: these four minutes were so open and vulnerable, and yet so symbolic of what strength and self-love is. I had forgotten that I watched this video two years ago when I was put on prescription medication and I had tears in my eyes after witnessing the love that she has for herself. I watched this today, and still couldn't help but tear up. It really takes a lot of courage, especially for women, to prioritize their own well-being over everything else, and that prioritization can truly take place in a myriad of forms. Such a beautiful and wholesome interview, it was like looking at the sun.

I saw this video a few months ago and Kristen is why I talked to my doctor about getting on an SSRI. Celebrities that talk about their suffering is great in a way- they help me realize that even very successful people go through everyday struggles that I go through. Thank you Kristen

I wish I could like this vid a thousand times. She knows herself so well and love how she can articulate it perfectly. My mom never discussed her crazy with me, but I've definitely inherited it. That being said.. I have 10 years to prepare the right speech for my daughter.

It takes a lot for someone with a history of anxiety and depression to reveal her vulnerabilities. Damn. She instantly became one of my favorite actresses.

Thank you for what you do because your interviews are awesome. Basically everyone's a person trying to figure shit out. I respect the open dialogue you have with your guests.

Thank you so much for this. I think I really needed to see this right now to remind me not to feel ashamed. I always loved Kristen and a lot of it has probably to do with her "bubbly personality" but I love her even more now. To know that she has to work on herself too and still has such a positive view on the world and on people really inspires me.

It takes a lot of courage to be this honest. Love it!

Wow. Her grandma story is exactly like mine. But I didnt get the grace of my mom explaining it like she did. Am graced now to happen upon this interview .... I would love to have friends like her & her husband to bounce philosophy off of. Praying to find more wise people to listen to, by the grace of God. Praying you stay this blessed!

Wow my eyes filled with tears both Dax and you Christen have help me to a real self realization TKS 😘

You do now yourself really well. I love your humility. For not saying" well I guess I am pretty good" You show your vulnerable side.

I love this, thank you! I am still trying to be a good friend to someone that I feel is over medicated. I never want to shame someone for needing meds, but I also hate seeing someone so high from 'as needed' medications they can't take care of themselves. I haven't found the balance.

Not an easy thing to share. Thank you for being so open and honest :)

Wow,this is just amazing,so helpful.Thank you Kristen for talking about it,many people need to listen to this.She's lovely,I will never forget this interview, has been incredible important for me.

I didnt know I could relate to Kristen so much, I love her vulnerability and the way she expresses her life experience in such an articulate way.

Thank You for your honesty and helping family members understand. Those that aren't going through it, can't possibly put the pieces of the puzzle together. It's a constant feeling of helplessness and loss. Watching your interview gives us hope! There is so much help available. But, if you can't get out of bed for days on end, what then? When the prescription runs out and you can't get to the doctor to get the re-fills you need to be level, what then? When you take every ounce of energy you have to call and be put on hold, to be promised a call back, and nothing. WHAT THEN? When the cops show up at your house because the receptionist at the doctor's office mistakes your sadness and FRUSTRATION for a "possible harmful situation" WHAT THEN? I'm speaking about a family member of mine. She's doing great today. We do the best we can!

So eloquent and honest. Nothing to be ashamed about and should be an easier conversation for people. Hope it is someday.

You rock! Thank you for sharing about your struggles and your helpful take on mental health. This video will do wonders for many people.

Very admirable to be honest and transparent about this topic

Kristen Bell is quickly becoming one of my favorite people on the planet. Im a big fan Off Camera, I wish there was a way to watch it without DirecTV

Thx for your honesty Kristen, your really just comforted me in I time of need, I just started a med for my anxiety and depression after weaning off it, but I realized for me to live the healthy life I want I need the medication to balance my serotonin level, thanks for the hope I needed!

I have respect for her for mentioning this! She’s awesome! I’ve been taking antidepressants for 20 years and there are days I don’t want to be on them anymore. I have begun to realize after failed attempts at getting off that I might need to be on them. It’s been very very hard though to accept this but hearing this from Kristen is really helpful. There also is such a thing as chemical imbalances for some people. I have ASD and those with ASD have chemical imbalances in some neurotransmitters and there are studies which show this.

Thanks for sharing Kristen! Abraham Lincoln struggled with depression as well (read "Lincoln's Melancholy"). Twice I've had to take Zoloft when I got severe anxiety that I couldn't overcome through other methods. As an investment professional I have to hide it because people trust me with their money and don't want them to think I'm mentally unstable.

She is so lucky to have her mom! Opposite of the experience I had in opening up about my anxiety and depression to my family. They told me I was exaggerating and needed to go to church more. I'm in my mid 30's and learned that I can't receive support from my family when it comes to mental health and I have to heal all my wounds on my own. Even the childhood trauma they gave me.

It is so cool to see a confident talented woman being vulnerable and admitting to being needy and having anxiety and depression. I struggled with opiates for 8 years and finally at 27 I realized that it's okay to get depressed and anxious as long as I'm taking care of my self and loving my truth. The drugs make it easier to deal with the pain but I am so thankful for the pain now, because with out it life wouldn't be as beautiful ❤️.

I just saw this today, wished I got to watch this in 2016. Great interview.

What she says is relatable. I am aware of being that way too. I get hurt with not being reciprocated by people, and I try to be nice. But then, I've realised that some people are not going to like me no matter what and when I shine the most and I am the happiest is when I am being myself. I literally feel adrenaline through my veins when I've been able to be honest and tell whatever person my opinion and stand by it

Thank you! I have tried coming off antidepressants and my world feels like it's crumbling. Thank you so much for normalizing this

Thank you for opening up about your struggles. It's nice to know you're not the only one, which is how you feel when you're in it. As a man, it's exceptionally difficult to admit to suffering from anxiety and depression. You're not a man, you're not strong if you open up about it. Often times your feelings are discounted. Just rub some dirt on it and move on. I've tried therapy and I've tried the meds, most just made me feel different, and different is not better. It's important for me to remember that my low points do not define me and if I can just ride them out it will be okay.

Kristen talking about the way her mom sat her down and was very frank and open about their family's brand of mental health issues has me just about choked up. It's such a simple thing, really, a conversation like that, but it's so powerful and sets one's child up for a lifetime of healthy practices. Obviously medication and (certain types of) therapy is not for everyone, they won't help everyone, but can we please stop with the stigma? There are a lot of people who require help with their mental health but feel a pressure -- internal or external or both -- to function without medication, that it's a point of pride and agency to not be dependent on it. Which is fine in a vacuum, but that kind of thinking can and often does veer into delusion and self-sabotage. I think the pragmatism that Kirsten talks about is so healthy and her message is so needed.

For so long I thought there was something wrong with me that I had to take medication in order to feel and act normal, but the first time I heard Kristen speak on her illness I thought very differently of it. She’s helped so much.

I have a filled prescription of effixor sitting in my drawer for a couple of months that I have never taken. This has given me the confidence to give it a try. Thank you.

what a fantastic interview! so much respect for kristen for being introspective and talking honestly and openly about her mental health.