Mahira Khan spoke extensively about her personal struggle with mental illness, claiming that some of her symptoms had almost become intolerable.
Popular Pakistani actress Mahira Khan is well known for portraying Khirad Hussain in the love story Humsafar. She is also recognised for her role in the 2017 movie Raees in India, which she shared with Shah Rukh Khan. The actress is now talking about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Mahira revealed that she is currently taking medication and that her condition worsened as a result of the 2016 Uri attack and the subsequent ban on Pakistani artists performing in India.
Mahira Khan recently made an appearance on the podcast On the FWhy where she spoke extensively about her experience with mental illness and claimed that when she decided to temporarily stop taking her medication last year, her symptoms were nearly intolerable. It has been roughly six or seven years since her diagnosis, according to her.
A trigger was the backlash she felt after meeting Raees. said Mahira Khan. “I wound up at the office of a psychiatrist, and she said, ‘We’ll talk about everything later, but I need you to know that you have manic depression. I’m not sure if I should say it since it’s the first time I’ve said it. I’ve been taking antidepressants for six or seven years. I attempted to leave them in the centre and entered a pitch-black area.
Mahira Khan took pride in the fact that she was a “very optimistic person” by nature, but she was also aware that praying or socialising with friends wouldn’t help her get through the difficulties she was currently experiencing. She was “in and out of hospitals,” according to Mahira, until last year when things truly got terrible. While everyone experiences joy and sorrow, success and failure, she continued by stating that severe depression is a real condition and that, despite her having triggers, a substantial piece of it was inherited.
The 38-year-old actress also discussed her lowest point, which followed her decision to quit taking her medications. “I was horrible last year, I was in bed… I clearly recall that I was unable to even get out of bed to use the loo. It was very dark, and I was so awful. I distinctly recall asking Allah, “I promise you, if you show me even this much hope or light, I will take it and run with it.” I returned to taking my medications once he did, and the next morning I felt like I could smile and was lighter.
She added, “Even in my darkest, worst moments, I never project it. It’s all inside me, mere andar tabahi mach rahi hai, but… It’s been a journey with my depression. I’ve had to work through it, I’ve had to dance through it…” Mahira thanked her friends, family, and therapist for standing by her side through it all.
Mahira Khan also emphasised the companion she is with, highlighting their exceptional comprehension despite not having directly gone through her experiences. She expressed her appreciation for the glimmer of hope she still saw and her want for those going through similar difficulties to understand they are not alone.