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.

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.

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.

With inputs from The Times of India.)