Emmy award-winning actress Christina Applegate, renowned for her role in “Married…with Children,” recently disclosed her struggle with multiple sclerosis (MS) and how it ushered her into a severe phase of depression. The actor, diagnosed with MS in June 2021, voiced her hardships and resentment towards MS on “MeSsy,” the podcast she co-hosts with former “Sopranos” star Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who is also living with MS.
Shared Struggles: Living with Multiple Sclerosis
Applegate spoke candidly about her life since her diagnosis, admitting to Sigler and listeners, “This is being really honest, I don’t enjoy living… I’m still f-king pissed off. I’m still mad about it.” The 52-year-old actor laments this new reality where even seemingly simple tasks, like stepping out for a coffee, have become draining challenges.
Further illustrating her physical struggles, Applegate recalled a recent television appearance which sapped her energy for the subsequent two days. The actor’s central nervous system deterioration, a typical MS symptom, makes it challenging to stay physically active, a point which Sigler insists is crucial for those battling the disease despite the added difficulty.
Understanding the Emotional Struggles: Depression
In addition to physical struggles, Applegate confessed to being trapped in a darkness she hasn’t experienced in over two decades. The deep-seated depression seems unbearable and has tampered with her joy for life. Fearful echoes ring in her words, “A real, f–k-it-all 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’”.
While acknowledging the severity of her situation, Sigler emphasized the self-defeating aspect of comparing their current state to the past. “It’s so hard to live in a disabled body,” Sigler highlighted, “But what makes it harder is when you compare it to how it used to be.”
Humor Lights the Dark: Despite It All
Despite the gravity of their struggles, both showbiz stars managed to lighten the mood during their candid discussion. Applegate shared a funny instance when she struggled pronouncing the word “disability,” injecting some much-needed levity into their earnest conversation.
Facing the Future:
The battle against the chronic disease continues, not only for Applegate and Sigler but for many others suffering from MS. While their shared experience serves as a grim reality check about MS’s impacts, it equally fosters hope, support, and understanding for those diagnosed or supporting a loved one with MS. As the public figures transparently discuss their experiences, they also inspire other MS patients, exemplifying resilience against the disease.
The podcast “MeSsy” is one such platform manifesting the fight against MS, turning personal struggles into the strength of shared experiences. Applegate and Sigler’s candid discussion about their journey with MS aims to shed light on this neurodegenerative disease, helping the world understand the life of those fighting this unwelcome enemy every day.