Amanda Seyfried Opens Up About Living with Mental Illness
"Knowing that a lot of my fears are not reality-based really helps."
Amanda Seyfried has opened up about living with obsessive compulsive disorder, and the stigma that still exists around taking psychiatric medication.
"I'm on Lexapro, and I'll never get off of it," Seyfried told Allure, revealing that she has been taking the drug for 11 years. "I'm on the lowest dose, and I don't see the point of getting off of it. Whether it's placebo or not, I don't want to risk it."
"What are you fighting against?" she asked. "Just the stigma of using a tool?" Although mental illness is often regarded as being in a different category than other illnesses, Seyfried pointed out that "it should be taken as seriously as anything else…If you can treat it, you treat it."
Seyfried, whose notable projects include Mamma Mia!, Les Misérables, and Showtime's upcoming Twin Peaks revival, went on to describe the health anxiety that stems from her OCD.
"I thought I had a tumor in my brain…I had an MRI, and the neurologist referred me to a psychiatrist," she said. "Knowing that a lot of my fears are not reality-based really helps."
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Emma Dibdin is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles who writes about culture, mental health, and true crime. She loves owls, hates cilantro, and can find the queer subtext in literally anything.
-
Jennifer Lopez Reunites With Ben Affleck in a Revenge Crop Top and Her Favorite Fall Denim Trend
The pair spent time together in public for the first time since the singer filed for divorce.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Princess Kate's Brother James Middleton Thought the Prince and Princess of Wales "Were Joking" When They Asked Him to Participate in Their Wedding
"What were they thinking? Being dyslexic, reading is my least favorite occupation."
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez Reunite for the First Time Since Divorce Filing
The two were spotted in Los Angeles with their blended family just three weeks after the singer petitioned to end their marriage.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
The Question on Everyone's Lips: Did Beyoncé Skip the 2024 MTV VMAs?
It's been a few years since she last graced the carpet with her presence.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
Why Isn't Selena Gomez at the 2024 VMAs?
Her absence became even more noticeable after her bestie Taylor Swift showed up.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Thought Ben Affleck Was a "Changed Man" But Being Married to Him Was "Impossible"
"Friends think he is selfish, sullen, impossible to please most of the time and negative."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Kate Middleton's Latest Headache? Her Uncle Turned ‘Celebrity Big Brother U.K.’ Reality Star, Gary Goldsmith
Goldsmith, younger brother of Kate’s mother Carole Middleton, was reportedly “read the riot act” by his sister over his appearance on the show.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Before Meeting Prince Harry, Meghan Markle “Seriously Considered Applying” to Be on This Reality Dating Show
It has become obvious this week that Meghan is a reality television aficionado.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Amanda Seyfried Dishes On Reuniting With Most of the Original 'Mean Girls' Cast for Commercial Shoot
First, a commercial. Next—'Mean Girls 2' with the four original Plastics...?
By Fleurine Tideman Published
-
Amanda Seyfried Reuniting with ‘Mamma Mia!’ Costar Meryl Streep Is the Happiness We All Need To See
The two played a mother-daughter duo in the musical.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Amanda Seyfried Is a Showstopper in Jason Wu at Last Night’s CNN Heroes Tribute Event
It continues a spate of red carpet brilliance from the actress.
By Rachel Burchfield Published