Lena Dunham reveals how she manages mental health issues with medication and therapy

Lena Dunham has revealed how medication and therapy sessions help her maintain a healthy frame of mind.

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by Abi Hooper |
Published on

I am more likely to go for therapy than exercise

The 27-year-old, who has battled with neurosis from an early age, told Marie Claire: ‘I take a tiny bit of Lexapro [an antidepressant] and I keep Klonopin [an anti-anxiety medication] in my purse just in case.’

The writer, director and star of the Golden Globe winning TV series ‘Girls’ explained how regular chats with her therapist – who she has been seeing since the age of 16 – help her stay on track.

‘I was just on the phone with my therapist before I came here,’ she said, adding: ‘There are days I totally don’t feel like doing it, but it’s like exercise. Except I am more likely to go for therapy than exercise.’

Cover-girl Lena opened up about mental health and body image in her Marie Claire interview
Cover-girl Lena opened up about mental health and body image in her Marie Claire interview

not being the babest person in the world creates a nice barrier

Her public body confidence and regular nudity in ‘Girls’ has received both praise and criticism, but Lena insists her ‘not being the babest person in the world creates a nice barrier.’

The star explained that if she did fit with the traditional Hollywood idea of the female body, she may not be as willing to ‘humiliate’ herself on camera – something she sees as her responsibility.

‘I don’t think I’d be able to do this and put myself in all these situations on camera that are kind of humiliating and uncomfortable,’ she said.

The body-confident actress is no stranger to a selfie

‘Nobody wants to sit there doggy-style for ten hours while they shoot or whatever. It’s not sexy or glamorous.’

‘I don’t think I’d be able to do that if I didn’t think it was essentially important in my contribution to the world.’

Having undoubtedly inspired other women to embrace their own shapes, the actress credits her parents for her own positive body image.

‘They also just always made me feel pretty and cool and smart,’ said Lena.

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