Mahira Khan Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder

Shah Rukh Khan and Mahira Khan's Bollywood debut had a significant, if unfavorable, effect. The actress experienced severe stress and sadness after playing "Raees."

The actress recently revealed her diagnosis of bipolar disorder during an interview on a podcast site, which she connected to her experience with the movie.

Mahira disclosed that she has been taking medicine for the past 6-7 years, and that the ban on Pakistani artists performing in India following the 2016 Uri incident made her illness worse.

On the podcast, Mahira, with tears in her eyes, shared her struggles with mental illness. She recounted that when she attempted to temporarily discontinue her medication last year, her symptoms became nearly unbearable.

She identified the backlash she faced after "Raees" as a triggering factor. "I ended up in a psychiatrist's office and she diagnosed me with manic depression. I've been on antidepressants for six and a half years. I tried going off them in the middle and ended up in a very, very dark place."

Mahira described herself as a "very hopeful person," but recognised that her ordeal couldn't be resolved through prayers or spending time with friends. 

Mahira revealed that she had been 'in and out of hospitals' until last year, when her condition reached a critical point.

"Yes, everyone experiences moments of sadness and happiness, success and failure, but clinical depression is a reality," the actress added.

Mahira also explained how she felt during her lowest point, after she discontinued her medications. "I had a terrible time last year, I was in bed... I vividly recall being unable to even get out of bed to use the loo. It was that dark, and I was that bad," the actress recalled.

"I recall promising the Almighty that if he showed me even a small flicker of hope or light, I would seize it and run with it. The actress said, "And when that happened and I restarted my drugs, I woke up thinking, Oh my god, I feel like I can smile, feel lighter. 

Mahira thanked her therapist, family, and friends for their steadfast support during her experience. She also expressed gratitude for the sensitivity of "the person she is with right now," who was tremendously sympathetic despite not having gone through what she had. 

She wants as many people as possible to understand that they are not alone in their struggles.