Christina Applegate has shared a heartfelt update on her ongoing struggle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), revealing that she is experiencing profound depression and has lost much of her joy for life. The ‘Dead to Me’ star first disclosed her MS diagnosis in 2021, hinting at the time that her health issues might prevent her from continuing her acting career.
In April, during an episode of her ‘MeSsy’ podcast, which she co-hosts with Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who has also been living with MS for over two decades, Christina Applegate spoke candidly about how her condition has affected her daily life. She described the difficulties she faces with basic personal hygiene, admitting, “I need to buy stock in Cottonelle because I haven’t taken a shower in three weeks. I can’t stand in my shower. There’s no f***ing way.” Her comments shed light on the physical challenges of MS, as she humorously noted the impracticality of her shower bench and how she resorts to using Cottonelle wipes instead.
Her 12-year-old daughter, Sadie, whom she shares with husband Martyn LeNoble, is her primary companion. Applegate recounted, “Thank God I’m always alone so that no one smells me. [Sadie’s] always like, ‘Oh Mama, that’s bad.’ I make her smell my armpits, just to make her vomit.”
In a more recent episode released on June 4, Applegate opened up further about her mental health struggles, admitting that she is in the throes of severe depression, a state of mind she hasn’t experienced to this extent since her diagnosis in 2021. She expressed her despair to Sigler, stating, “I don’t enjoy living. I don’t enjoy it. I don’t enjoy things anymore.” This candid confession highlighted the mental toll MS has taken on her, as she described feeling trapped in a deep, unrelenting darkness.
Sigler responded with empathy, acknowledging the difficulty of living with a disabled body. She offered support, urging Applegate to accept her condition and reminding her of the joy and love she still brings to others, despite her struggles.
Christina Applegate further elaborated on her depression, describing it as a “real, ‘F**k it all depression,’” which she found alarming due to its intensity. She admitted to being scared by the depth of her feelings, noting that she hasn’t felt this way in over 20 years.
Despite her reluctance to seek therapy following her diagnosis, Applegate has decided to reconnect with her longtime therapist, driven by the severity of her current emotional state. She explained, “I have avoided therapy since I’ve been diagnosed because I’m so afraid to start crying and that I’m not going to be able to end crying. I just am so afraid for those floodgates to open and that I won’t be able to stop.”
Sigler encouraged Applegate to embrace her emotions and allow herself to cry, emphasizing the importance of processing her feelings rather than suppressing them. “You gotta just, you gotta allow yourself to feel that stuff. You can’t keep pushing it away, otherwise you’re gonna be where you’re at right now. You’re like in a purgatory, you know?”
Christina Applegate’s openness about her battle with MS and its impact on her mental health serves as a poignant reminder of the profound challenges faced by those living with chronic illnesses. Her story underscores the importance of mental health support and the strength found in vulnerability.