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
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
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.
-
The Cast of 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' Proved Just How Quickly They Bonded This Season
Alyah Chanelle Scott, Pauline Chalamet, Gracie Lawrence, and Mia Rodgers play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Why Kate Middleton and Prince William's Decision to "Take the Lead" Is a "Relief" For King Charles, Royal Expert Explains
"We have had a glimpse of the future..."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Buckingham Palace Responds After Royal Family Maid Is Arrested at "Out of Control" Christmas Party
"I've never seen one person get that crazy during a night out," a source claimed.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling Introduce the "Newest Member" of Their Family
"I'm crazy about her and excited to share life."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Jennifer Garner Is Reportedly Ready to Cut Ties With Jennifer Lopez, Unless Their Kids Are Involved
"Her friends feel she shouldn't have allowed herself to get so involved."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Hailey Bieber Shares Her First Photo of Baby Son Jack Blues Since Giving Birth—See the Sweet Shot
So freaking cute.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Actors Who Are Nothing Like Their Most Iconic Characters
Talk about awards-worthy, transformative performances.
By Katherine J. Igoe 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