Kelly Clarkson Opens Up About the Link Between Her Mental Health and Her Weight
Kelly Clarkson claims when she was at her thinnest, she was actually miserable and that her skinny appearance was the result of her unhappy state.
Kelly Clarkson is opening up about her past struggles with weight and body image, saying she was miserable and depressed at her skinniest — but people had no idea because she "appeared healthy."
"When I was really skinny I wanted to kill myself," Attitude magazine quoted the 35-year-old as saying. "I was miserable, like, inside and out, for four years of my life. But no one cared because aesthetically you make sense. It was a very dark time for me. I thought the only way out was quitting. I wrecked my knees and my feet because all I would do is put in headphones and run. I was at the gym all the time."
The singer has since clarified that her weight loss was the result of her mental health state — and not the cause. "Just to clear something up," she wrote on Twitter. "I wasn't ever miserable because I had to be thin. I said I was miserable and as a result I became thin…. I said people had no idea I was unhappy oddly enough because I appeared healthy."
While studies have confirmed that weight loss can lead to depression, symptoms of depression can also beget weight loss or weight gain. Kanye West's recent weight fluctuations sparked a discussion about mental health, as many people attributed his weight gain to his tumultuous year and questioned whether he was suffering from anxiety and depression.
Despite the fact that some scientific studies do support exercise as a way to ward off depression, it clearly took the former "American Idol" star in the opposite direction and became something that was negative instead of positive.
But, for some people, exercise is a great way to fight depression: Take Chrissy Teigen, for example, who has been very vocal about her struggle with depression and anxiety. In a recent interview the model revealed that she works out for "mental reasons."
At the end of the day, Clarkson's message is important because it's a reminder not to judge a book by its cover. Someone might appear physically "healthy," but it doesn't mean they aren't suffering on the inside.
In addition to Clarkson, Teigen and Lady Gaga, here are 10 other stars who openly struggle with depression.
What Do YOU Think?
Are you surprised that Kelly Clarkson was depressed when she was at her thinnest? Do you lose or gain weight when you are depressed? Do you think celebrities help other people who struggle with depression when they open up about their own problems?