Dangal's Zaira Wasim wants to take an indefinite break from worldly affairs

Who could think that sinewy young wrestler of Dangal would be a faint-hearted fille in real life. Kashmiri girl Zaira Wasim has broken a million hearts with the news that she has long been battling against anxiety and depression, therefore she wanted to go into complete isolation from the worldly affairs to seek solace in her life.

She revealed that it was not a normal condition and her depression was such a severe that she had to take five antidepressants daily.

Requesting for prayers, she said she was looking forward to the holy month of Ramadan as the perfect opportunity to get her life better.

She shared a long letter on her social media accounts to share with her fans and friends detailed news about her condition.

“I’m writing this to (finally) admit and confess that I, for a very long time have been suffering from severe anxiety and depression.

“It’s almost been 4 years and I’ve always been embarrassed and scared to admit it not only because of the stigma that goes around with the word DEPRESSION with it but most importantly because of always being told that *You’re too young to be depressed* or *It’s just a phase*.”

Laying bare further about what she has been through, she said, “Perhaps it could’ve been *JUST A PHASE* but this awful phase has put me in situations I never wished or chose to be in. Popping 5 antidepressants everyday, anxiety attacks, being rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night, feeling empty, restless, anxious, hallucinations, having sore limbs from sleeping too much to not being able to sleep for weeks, from overeating to starving myself, unexplained fatigue, body ache, self loathing, nervous breakdowns, suicidal thoughts were all parts of this PHASE.

“I knew that something wasn’t right with me. I sensed it could be DEPRESSION. I still remember my first panic attack at the age of 12, the other one at 14 and now all I remember is losing count of the number of panic attacks, losing counts of the number of medicines I’ve had and I’m still having, losing count of the number of times I have been told — ‘It’s nothing, you’re too young to be depressed’.”

She said it was too difficult for her to accept that it was just a phase of life and younger guys do not get depressed.

“I was always made to believe that there’s nothing wrong with, but I knew – I always did and I still do. I remember being told that there’s no such thing as depression, it only happens to people who were above 25.

“But I could never actually accept the fact that I suffer from a disorder called DEPRESSION – that affects almost 350 million people worldwide; without asking for their permission to ruin their mental and emotional state or asking them their age.

“I was always pushed into the bubble of denial despite knowing the reality and I would always lie to myself and other and just shake my head in yes when they would say – it’s nothing, you’re too young to be depressed, I would just lie to myself and call the doctors crazy.”

Depression or anxiety is not a feeling, it’s an illness. It’s not somebody’s choice of fault. It can affect anyone anytime, she said.

Disclosing her future plans to deal with the situation, she said: “It’s almost been four and half years since I’ve been diagnosed with depression and anxiety and today I’m finally ready to understand my illness and embrace the version of myself which I’ve always wanted to accept, without being ashamed, embarrassed and having the fear of being judged for it.

“I just need a complete break from everything, my social life, my work, school and especially social media. I’m really looking forward to the holy month of Ramadhan as it may be the perfect opportunity to figure things out. Please remember me in your prayers.

“A big hug to all the people who stood by me through all my emotional ups and dows, especially my family, I can never thank you enough for being so patient.”