Michelle Williams Gets Candid about Being Depressed after Calling off Engagement

Destiny’s Child star Michelle Williams opened up about her struggle with depression following the end of her brief engagement.

Michelle Williams has been dealing with depression all her life and knows that the dread disease can strike at the worse of times, sapping joy and energy from the sufferer.

The former Destiny’s Child singer opened up about the rough patch she went through after the end of her recent engagement.

“I was weak, very depressed and thinking it was the end of my life. If someone had asked me where I would be today, I didn’t think I would be alive, because I was so broken.” Michelle Williams

MICHELLE WILLIAMS FOUGHT SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

Michelle, who revealed that she has been fighting depression and an impulse to self-harm since she was 13, admitted that the end of her brief engagement to Chad Johnson in December plunged her back into depression.

“It felt as though I had failed publicly and privately, too, and that was just not like me. And I was like, God, there’s got to be more,” she said.

Depression in a profound despondency that persists and has no identifiable cause.

DEPRESSION FOLLOWED THE ENGAGEMENT

Michelle became engaged to Chad, who is a pastor, in March 2018, but instead of joyous anticipation, the singer found herself sinking into inexplicable depression when she started planning her wedding.

MICHELLE WILLIAMS QUESTIONED HER LIFE

At a time when she should have been living her best life, in love and about to be married, Michelle found herself questioning her life choices, and doubting her will to live.

“I thought I was over depression. I thought, ‘I’m good!’ I’ve got love, I’m working out. But I was so angry. The rage built up in me. I did not attempt suicide, but I was questioning [life],” she said.

CALLING OFF THE WEDDING

In July, just months after her engagement, Michelle sought mental health treatment, with Chad's support and encouragement. Nonetheless, in December, Michelle called off the wedding.

"I'd been there before in that darkness and I was like, 'No, you better go.' By the time I got there (rehab), I was stable. However, I would've understood if he left. He's been praying for a wife. He didn't pray for a depressed wife," she said.

Not long after the end of her engagement, Michelle had a nervous breakdown and was forced to step down from the Broadway production of "Once on This Island" on her doctor’s orders.

Fortunately, 2019 has been a better year for Michelle so far.

“I am in a better place now. I am not perfect. I’m not preaching. I’m just telling you what I’m doing right now – I’m sticking to my routine. When people say it gets better, it does. It just takes time. The days do get brighter,” she said.

To all those dealing with depression, Michelle sends a message of hope and strength:

“Tell yourself you’ve got to get up. Because some people won’t tell you to get up or know what to say. I pray you find that inner strength to say, ‘Okay, I’ve been down. I’ve been in this bed too long. I’ve got to get up.’ That’s what I did,” she said.

Thank you, Michelle Williams, for sharing your hope and your strength, and inspiring so many people battling the darkness of depression.

DEALING WITH DEPRESSION

Just like Michelle Williams, approximately 17.3 million American adults suffer from depression disorder.

Feeling sad, and moody from time to time is normal, of course. Those changes in our mood often reflect the conditions in our lives.

Depression in a profound despondency that persists and has no identifiable cause.

Michelle Williams revealed that she was profoundly depressed while she was a member of Destiny's Child, one of the most successful girl bands of all time, and with her every dream coming true.

Depression is more than just a low mood – it's a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health.

Major depressive disorder or clinical depression, affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to emotional and physical problems.

Depression isn't a weakness, it is a disorder that may require long-term treatment. Most people suffering from depression respond well to medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both. If you feel depressed, reach for help. You are not alone.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “home” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.