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Hsu Nai-han reveals battle with severe depression, hallucinations

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Taiwanese actress Hsu Nai-han revealed she suffered severe depression eight to nine years ago due to a career slump and a breakup.
  • She described losing the will to live, neglecting self-care for a week, and experiencing auditory hallucinations.
  • Hsu shared her recovery journey, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional help and encouraging others to prioritize mental health.

Taiwanese actress Hsu Nai-han has opened up about her past struggles with severe depression, describing a period eight to nine years ago when she lost her ability to function in daily life. The actress, who appeared at a promotional event for the DaAi drama "The Pharmacy at the Corner," shared her experience to advocate for mental health awareness.

You just need to live well, and we will wait for you.

— FansHsu Nai-han received supportive messages from fans after publicly sharing her struggles with depression.

Hsu recalled the devastating impact of a prolonged career drought, with no acting roles for six months, compounded by a painful breakup. This led to intense self-doubt, characterized by daily crying spells and a complete loss of motivation. At her lowest point, she went an entire week without showering and felt she "didn't deserve good things," even giving away all her clothes.

You are terrible, you really can't act.

— Internal voicesDuring her severe depression, Hsu Nai-han experienced auditory hallucinations that criticized her acting abilities.

The depression manifested further with auditory hallucinations, where she would hear voices telling her she was "terrible" and "couldn't act." Seeking help from a psychiatrist and undergoing psychological counseling, Hsu was diagnosed with depression, though her doctor confirmed she could still distinguish reality from the hallucinations. She stressed that depression is not a sign of low resilience but rather an "emotional blockage" or "emotional cold" akin to a heart attack being a cardiac issue.

There is a river in my hometown too, but I can't go back.

— CharacterHsu Nai-han was deeply moved by a co-star's portrayal of a character's isolation and longing for home while filming 'The Pharmacy at the Corner'.

Hsu's turning point came when she let go of her pride and obsession with perfection. She publicly disclosed her condition on her Facebook page, receiving an overwhelming wave of support from fans and friends. This encouragement, combined with ongoing therapy, helped her gradually emerge from the darkness. While she acknowledges that she still manages her emotions, particularly during seasonal changes, she now possesses "illness awareness" and can coexist with her feelings, understanding they are not a reflection of her worth.

It's like a heart attack is when the heart is blocked, depression is actually 'emotional blockage' or 'emotional cold'.

— Hsu Nai-hanHsu Nai-han explained her view on depression as an 'emotional blockage' during a promotional event.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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