Christina Applegate opens up about living with multiple sclerosis
Over three years ago, the star of "Married... with Children" discovered she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The diagnosis turned her life upside down, and as the actress herself recounts, she has been struggling with severe depression ever since.
Jun 5, 2024 | updated: 3:01 AM EDT, October 4, 2024
In August 2021, the world learned that Christina Applegate is battling an incurable disease in the form of multiple sclerosis. Since then, the actress has been sharing her experiences and discussing life with the disease. Over the years, she has mentioned gaining nearly 45 pounds, needing to use a cane while walking, and expressing her frustration that it happened to her.
Christina Applegate on living with the disease
For some time now, the actress has been recording a podcast titled "MeSsy," in which she talks about the last three years of her life and the changes she has observed in her daily existence. Applegate emphasized that although the disease primarily affects her body, she experiences more psychological discomfort.
She revealed that since the diagnosis, she has been struggling with severe depression:
"A real depression — like, a real depression, where it’s kind of scaring me too a little bit because it feels really fatalistic, it feels really end of. I don’t mean that, but I’m trapped in this darkness right now that I haven’t felt in probably 20-something years" - Applegate said.
Applegate continued, saying that the diagnosis made her not like living. She starkly stated that nothing brings her joy anymore. This revelation shocked her co-host Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who has been battling multiple sclerosis for 20 years.
Later, the actress confessed that currently, she doesn't want to and is afraid to return to therapy. This is because she fears the flood of emotions she will have to release. However, during the conversation, she stated that she would contact her therapist again and try to fight for a better future.
Christina Applegate - movies and TV shows featuring her
Applegate won the hearts of viewers as a teenager with her role as Kelly Bundy in "Married... with Children". Over the years, she has appeared in many movies and TV series, such as "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," "The Sweetest Thing," and "Grand Theft Parsons." In 2019, she began appearing in the Netflix series "Dead to Me". Her performance in the series earned her three Emmy nominations and one Golden Globe nomination.
