Bipolar Disorder Led This Actress to Attempt Suicide 5 Years Ago

In a recent interview, Shama revealed her struggle with mental illness, five years ago.

In a recent interview, Shama revealed her struggle with mental illness from five years ago. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/shama sikander)

Shama Sikander’s first significant break on television came with the show Yeh Meri Life Hai on Sony Entertainment in 2003. Since then, Shama has come a long way with roles in several movies like Prem Agan (1998) and Mann (1999).

In a recent interview with The Times of India , Shama revealed her struggle with mental illness five years ago. She spoke about her battle with bipolar disorder and a failed suicide attempt.

Though my life was going great, I was bored of it; nothing would impress or excite me. I even tried to commit suicide one night. I kissed my mother good night and told her not to wake me up. After that, I swallowed several sleeping pills at one go. Just before slipping away, I texted my brother my bank account details, which made him panic. He immediately called my mother to check on me and I was rushed to the hospital three hours later.

Shama Sikander

Despite her then boyfriend, Alexx O’Niel’s advice to get medical aid, Shama said, she refused to seek help, and instead, wanted to give up.

Alexx, who has a degree in Psychology, suspected that I had bipolar disorder and advised me to consult a doctor. But at that time, I didn’t want to get cured; I just wanted to give up.

Shama Sikander

Shama accepts that her family did not know how to handle this kind of a mental illness as they had not encountered it previously. They even considered supernatural possession to be a cause of her emotional upheaval. The road to recovery was a long one but Shama said she eventually went the distance.

My condition didn’t improve even after two years of medication, but when it did, I started looking at life with a new perspective. Now, I seek joy in small things and make a conscious effort to befriend people. I have become more open and receiving. I want to share my story so that people will know that it’s okay to be messed up.

Shama Sikander

With inputs from The Times of India.)