Camilla Luddington is renowned for her candid discussions about mental health, particularly with her children. The 41-year-old Grey’s Anatomy actress, who shares two kids – Hayden, 8, and Lucas, 4, with her husband Matthew Alan, reveals that it was after becoming a mother that she confronted her own mental health struggles. The actress explains, “It’s really forced me to get a handle on my own mental health because I think that when I became a mom, I had never really experienced anxiety before and my anxiety ramped up in a way that was just unfair to myself.”
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Moreover, she acknowledges the pivotal role that motherhood played in her journey towards prioritising her mental well-being, stating, “Unfair to have myself live like that every day. And I think that what motherhood did is force me to be like, ‘No, it’s not just me anymore. I have a family. I really have to take care of myself.” Luddington highlights the significance of self-care, emphasising, “If I’m not going to do this for me, do it for them.”
Luddington, who acknowledges commencing therapy “really late in life,” eventually found solace in being prescribed Zoloft to manage her anxiety, despite her initial reluctance towards medication. She discloses, “I remember getting to a point where I had heart palpitations every day, and I was like, ‘But I don’t need to take anything. It’s going to change me. I’m going to feel so different.” Reflecting on her journey, she now realises the positive impact of medication on her life and how it has grounded her.
In her efforts to be transparent about her mental health with her children, Luddington is open with them about taking SSRIs as her daily “brain vitamin.” She aims to destigmatise discussions around mental health within her family and create a safe space for her children to express their emotions. By normalising conversations about mental health, Luddington hopes to instil in her children the importance of seeking help when needed without any shame attached.
The actress has previously spoken about the importance of maintaining an open dialogue with her kids regarding mental health, to foster a different environment from the one she was brought up in. Recognising the cultural differences in discussing mental health, particularly in British culture, Luddington is resolute in ensuring her children understand the significance of seeking help and not feeling ashamed about it.
By sharing her personal journey with mental health struggles and the steps she has taken to manage them, Camilla Luddington is not only advocating for destigmatising mental health issues but also encouraging an environment of openness and support within her family. She sets an exemplary model for normalising conversations around mental health, especially with younger audiences. Luddington’s bravery and honesty in addressing mental health challenges resonate with many facing similar struggles, fostering a community that prioritises well-being and destigmatises seeking help when needed.