World Mental Health Day 2022: I have gone through clinical depression and anxiety, says Priya Ahuja

She is best known for her role as a reporter in ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah'

Best known for her role as a reporter in ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah', Priya Ahuja spoke to Mid Day Online on the occasion of 'World Mental Health Day 2022'. 

Priya, have you ever struggled with any kind of clinically diagnosed mental health condition?  If so, will you be comfortable sharing your experience?
Yes, I have gone through clinical depression and anxiety. It was during corona and lockdown. I couldn't accept the fact that I was literally caged inside my house and can't go out. It was extremely difficult for me mentally and emotionally. After my baby's birth, I wanted to travel but I couldn't due to the lockdown and that got into my head and I couldn't take that emotionally.

What personal development efforts have you made to overcome your mental health issues?
I have been through different kind of therapies I chose the path of spirituality and I chose meditation, I learnt reiki to get over it physically mentally and emotionally.

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When did you realize that you have mental health issues that needs to be addressed?
Thankfully, I was always extremely aware about the changes around me so that I could figure it out in the initial phase itself. There was something off and different in my attitude and the anxiety and the body language that I had during those days were enough to make me realize that I was going through depression.

Did you try talking/discussing the same with anyone?
Yes, of course I spoke to Malav. Being my better half and my best friend, I spoke to him and he helped me a lot. He was the one who found me a therapist and then I started getting therapy. Also, Ambika from our show ‘Taarak Mehta’ also helped me a lot with her healing sessions.

Was it tough dealing with Covid 19 times?
It was a tough time. I was a new mom and I had no one around me. It was only my husband Malav and me who were taking care of our new born baby and our 2 old aged dogs. So, it was extremely difficult for me to handle and manage everything. Corona made it even tougher.

Since you have addressed the problem and have come our successfully, can you tell us as to how can one identify the people with mental issue?
As I said I discussed it with Malav and some of my friends that I have anxiety, I am under depression and I get anxious about a few topics and things around me. This is what I expect and suggest that if someone who feels they’re going through some mental health issues please talk to people, talk to your closed ones and take help.

Were you on medication of any sort or only counselling helped you out to overcome it?
No. Thankfully because I realized my issue at a very initial stage counselling really helped me and I didn’t have to take any sort of medication.

These days, many people (young and old) are becoming victims day by day to the silent problem of mental health. Is there anything that you want to tell them?
I don't think so it is very easy to figure out if somebody is going through any mental issue but if you are close to people, if you'll observe your close ones, maybe you will be able to figure it out that they are not the same. There are small signs, if you notice them, you will definitely figure out.

How do you motivate yourself daily?
More than me Malav motivates me each and every day. For work, for my mental and physical health and overall, his love keeps me motivated to do everything in life.

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