Kirsten Dunst 'opens up' about her depression
By Liz Lockhart
Kirsten Dunst is doing the rounds in the UK promoting her new film ‘Melancholia’. Mental Healthy 
reported on comments made by the film’s director, Lars Von Trier, when he said that Kirsten’s spell of depression was an advantage for her role in his latest film. Read about it here.
In the past Ms. Dunst has spoken about her depression. She received treatment in 2008. Her reason for speaking out about her depression at that time was to stem the rumours that she had sought help for drug and alcohol abuse. In an issue of BlackBook she said ‘I know what it’s like to lose yourself, to no longer know the difference between right or wrong.’
She added ‘I used to assume that Id act forever, and then there came a point in my life when I was like – ‘why am I doing this at all?’ – My friends and family were put in a position where they had to defend me, and it was an awful time.’
This week the Telegraph reports that Kirsten revealed that she and director Lars Von Trier shared their own experiences of depression.
It is reported that the 29-year-old actress said ‘Lars opened up to me about his experience with depression and that in turn helped me open up.’
Von Trier was unpopular with the Cannes Film Festival organisers where he was promoting ‘Melancholia’ at a press conference. He commented that he was ‘a Nazi’ and that he could understand Hitler.
Kirsten added ‘I would have done anything with Lars. I adore working with him. There’s no one who’s communicated emotion so simply and effectively to me than Lars. And he’s funny and a joy to be around.’
Sitting on the sofa on morning T.V. this week Kirsten Dunst looked confident and happy. It would appear that her days of depression are firmly behind her now.
For further help and advice please see the Mental Healthy guide to depression.
