Bella Hadid Details “All-Consuming” Battle With Depression and Anxiety

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Bella Hadid is pulling back the curtain.

To mark World Mental Health Day on October 10th, the 29-year-old opened up about her personal experiences with anxiety and depression, sharing a candid account of her mental health journey.

She shared in a recent post that she’s lived with anxiety and depression for a long time. She described it as an overwhelming feeling that can be completely disabling, yet hidden from others. It can cause intense sadness and make it hard to start the day, even when things around you seem good.

Bella spoke about the shame often felt when dealing with mental health issues, admitting she often questions why someone so fortunate could struggle with regular sadness, depression, and overwhelming anxiety.

I’ve been following her journey for a while now, and one thing that really resonated with me is how she’s come to see her mental health not as something to be ashamed of, or a flaw, but simply as a part of what makes her, her. It’s so inspiring to see her embrace it like that.

She described her sensitivity, awareness, and empathy as strengths, even a kind of superpower. She believes these qualities are essential to being human and have allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of herself and the people around her.

She reminded those facing mental health challenges that they aren’t alone and shared her thanks for her partnership with UNICEF, an organization working to provide mental health support globally.

Bella emphasized that mental health care shouldn’t be considered a privilege, but a basic right. She believes everyone deserves support, regardless of their background or personal struggles, and that their well-being is incredibly important.

Bella shared a heartfelt message about mental health, along with helpful resources. She posted a series of images and graphics, including a reminder to tell people how much you care – a message she felt was especially important right now.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following Bella’s journey, and her recent sharing is incredibly brave. Just weeks after opening up about the challenges of living with Lyme disease and its ongoing effects on her health, she’s continuing to be so open and honest about what she’s going through. It’s really powerful to see her navigate this with such vulnerability.

Bella shared a photo carousel on September 17th, showing pictures from her summer in Europe mixed with images of her receiving medical treatment. She wrote, “I’m sorry I often disappear, but I love you all.”

After Bella shared what was happening with her health, her mom, Yolanda Hadid, publicly praised her strength. In a post on September 18th, Yolanda wrote that she admired Bella’s courage and determination, especially considering all the unsuccessful treatments and challenges she’s overcome while fighting for her health.

She added, “I am so proud of the fighter that you are.”

For more celebrities who have shared a candid look at their mental health journeys, read on.

The former star of *Gossip Girl* recently shared his struggles with body image, explaining that he experienced what he called “body dysmorphia” as a young actor.

In an April 2025 interview with The Guardian, Penn shared that they deeply disliked their body and wished they had a different one.

He explained his weight gain after his parents’ divorce, saying he went through a time where he deliberately, and sometimes unintentionally, pursued a more traditionally attractive appearance, believing it would lead to greater success and make him feel more valuable after a period of depression and withdrawal.

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

He said that overcoming his disappointment and personal struggles enabled him to return to things with a renewed sense of self.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

She described her struggles with food, stating on the *The Funny Thing Is* podcast, “Some people might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I lived my life.” She went on to explain that food was her primary coping mechanism, and she engaged in extreme behaviors related to it.

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

Despite admitting she finds it hard to stick to a diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards a healthier lifestyle.

Back when she was 23, she completely changed her lifestyle by eliminating sugar and alcohol, and started practicing yoga, along with breathing and stretching exercises. She told *Bon Appétit* in 2017 that these changes were more effective than any medication, like Ritalin.

She shared that she struggles with food and body image, which is something she’s actively working to overcome. She’s also focused on improving her overall health by eating a healthy diet.

The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.

She admitted on her podcast, *Candace Cameron Bure Podcast*, that it’s incredibly hard to talk about, even with those closest to you. She explained that she personally feels she *should* be able to handle it, and admitting she struggles feels like a weakness.

The Grammy-winning artist often talks about protecting her mental wellbeing, like blocking negativity online, and offers guidance to others who are struggling.

When asked for mental health advice, she told *Vogue* that the most important thing is patience. She explained that she was patient with herself, resisted making any rash decisions, and allowed time to pass, believing that difficult feelings will eventually subside.

As people adjusted to social distancing to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, the singer of “Firework” opened up about how challenging times like these can be.

She tweeted about struggling with the challenges of the pandemic, saying it’s hard to decide what’s more difficult – avoiding the virus itself or dealing with the sadness and depression it causes. Katy explained that she often finds peace in her car, which has become her go-to safe place since there aren’t many other options for getting away from things.

The model partnered with designer Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition and discussed her personal struggles with anxiety on Good Morning America.

She remembered that after her panic attacks started happening again, she was finally able to find the information she needed to understand them.

Kendall shared that she experiences both good and anxious days, explaining this is why she wanted to get involved with the cause. Her goal is to help people feel less isolated and alone.

The actor known for playing Black Adam has publicly discussed his struggles with depression and the challenges men often face when trying to talk about their mental wellbeing.

Everyone experiences difficult times and struggles with depression – it doesn’t care who you are. It took me a while to learn this, but it’s important not to be afraid to talk about what you’re going through. Men, especially, often keep their feelings to themselves, but remember, you’re not alone.

Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting help for mental health by sharing his own experiences with therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his struggles made him realize many others go through similar things, saying, “Once you start talking about it, you realize you’re part of a big community.”

The actress from *Empire* is a strong advocate for seeking professional help, having publicly discussed her own experiences with depression. She’s shared that therapy is essential for her well-being, telling Variety, “I have a therapist that I speak to…That’s the only way I can get through it.”

Taraji P. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to fight the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community and to expand access to Black mental health professionals.

The Grammy-winning artist shared that she began MDMA and psilocybin therapy – a treatment for PTSD – after struggling with both an eating disorder and performance anxiety.

She told *Rolling Stone* in May 2025 that this was the first time she’d toured without feeling nervous. She described a strange, shared physical sensation with the audience—almost like a change in air pressure—that made her realize how much she thrives on a strong, emotional connection with people while performing her music. She said she really *needs* that deep, physical response to truly feel connected to her songs.

She explained that prioritizing her mental health and stopping birth control helped her develop a broader understanding of her gender identity.

She explained that she decided to stop taking birth control because it felt like a break from societal expectations of what it meant to be a woman. It might sound strange, she admitted, but she felt liberated and like she could explore new possibilities when she wasn’t bound by those expectations. She believed this newfound freedom allowed her to grow and change.

In a 2017 Instagram post, the *Riverdale* actress shared that she battled significant anxiety and depression in middle school, and credited the support of her family and a therapist with saving her life. She encouraged others to seek help, writing that asking for it is the crucial first step, and that everyone has immense value.

The singer behind the hit “What He Didn’t Do” has opened up about living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over the past several years.

Carly shared on the August 2025 episode of Bunnie Xo’s *Dumb Blonde* podcast that her anxiety began during her divorce, which happened during the Covid pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe OCD since childhood.

For the past decade, I really got used to just keeping everything bottled up and pushing through, but it eventually became too much. A couple of years ago, I had to go back to therapy and start working through a lot of things. It made me realize that my OCD wasn’t something that just started recently – it’s actually been with me since I was a little kid, around six or seven years old.

The actress known for *Frozen* has openly shared her mental health coping strategies for years, both in public speeches and on her Instagram account.

She encourages people to discover what works best for their well-being. According to *Health* magazine, her own approach includes things like medication, consciously focusing on ten positive aspects of life for every negative thought, and regular exercise.

The cookbook author is a mother of four and has bravely shared her experiences with postpartum depression, a common but often unspoken challenge for new mothers.

You know, I’ve learned something really important over the years, and it’s become easier to talk about with each passing day. I shared this with *Glamour* back in 2017, and it’s this: anyone can go through a tough time, and it’s so crucial to remember you’re not alone. My biggest hope is that by being open, I can help others feel less embarrassed and more connected if they’re facing similar challenges.

While publicizing her book, *Mirror, Mirror*, the model shared with *The Edit* magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teenager, describing a feeling of “something dark” within her during that period.

Honestly, Cara just *gets* it. She said she used to look to other people, to *love* even, to fill her up, and it just didn’t work! She finally realized she needed to find happiness within herself, and it took her ages to figure it out. But now? Now she can just *be* happy, all on her own, and it’s amazing to hear her say it. It’s like, finally, she understands!

Ariana Grande encouraged fans to prioritize their mental health after responding to a tweet asking about her therapist. She shared that therapy has been life-saving for her on multiple occasions.

She encouraged me not to be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to suffer needlessly, and healing from past trauma *is* possible. While I have a long way to go, simply recognizing that change is possible is a good first step.

The singer has openly shared her experiences with addiction, recovery, and mental health, and often incorporates these personal struggles into her songs.

She often encourages her followers to prioritize their mental well-being, emphasizing that it’s a continuous effort with both good and bad days. She previously shared on Instagram, “Just a reminder for anyone who’s struggling: life has its highs and lows, but it’s important to keep going.”

The actress has openly discussed mental health, both through her work – like her portrayal of Rue in the show *Euphoria* – and in her personal life.

Zendaya has spoken about experiencing anxiety after a 2013 appearance on Ellen, when her microphone malfunctioned. She shared this on an app she used to have, and has since found healthy ways to cope with those feelings. She explained that sometimes, taking a break is the best way to reduce stress.

In a recent interview with *WSJ Magazine*, the singer openly discussed her struggles with mental health, explaining that she experienced extreme highs and lows that could leave her incapacitated for weeks.

She revealed she’s been dealing with mental health challenges, but finding the right medication has made a huge difference in her life.

Honestly, she’s just incredible. It’s not just about the music – though, obviously, the music is amazing! – but she’s really made it her life’s work to spread positivity and talk openly about mental health. She’s so brave sharing her own struggles, and it means the world to me. It’s like she *gets* it, you know?

She shared that she’d dealt with mental health challenges for a long time, sometimes openly and sometimes privately. Speaking at the Global Changemakers Award in 2018, she explained her belief that keeping those struggles hidden actually makes things worse.

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2025-10-13 17:21