Selma Blair has opened up about her mental health struggles (Picture: John Shearer/Getty Images)
Selma Blair tried to take her life ‘a few times’ while battling symptoms
of her then-undiagnosed multiple sclerosis.
The Cruel Intentions actress, 50, spent years living with the physical and mental impact of the incurable disease before she finally received her diagnosis in August 2018.
Selma admitted she got so desperate before doctors worked out she was dealing with that she ‘attempted suicide’.
The mum-of-one, who has son Arthur, 11, with her fashion designer ex Jason Bleick, 49, revealed in a cover interview for May’s British Vogue magazine: ‘As an adult, the lassitude and anxiety (from her MS) became terrifying, actually.
‘I made mistakes. Wished myself dead. Attempted suicide. A few times. Out of desperation.’
Selma also opened up about how life on film sets was so painful while living with her undiagnosed illness – which attacks the immune system and causes nerve damage to the brain and spine – she would numb her pain and anxiety with tranquilisers and alcohol.
Selma has been open about her physical and mental health battle (Picture: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
She said: ‘Sets were excruciating sometimes with the exhaustion and the tics. I took benzos and Klonopin (used to prevent seizures and anxiety disorders.)
‘I didn’t abuse those things, just alcohol. But I was lost and sad and could hardly ever smile. Hence my roles, I imagine.’
Selma previously opened up about one of her suicide attempts in her 2022 autobiography Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up.
She said it came after a painful break up from her physical education horse trainer, Todd.
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Selma sneaked into his closet as he slept and swallowed a bottle of Tylenol with tequila, but changed her mind about wanting to die and woke up Todd and told him what she’d taken.
Her recovery was brutal as her mum told her she was dead to her due to her suicide attempt.
Selma told Elle magazine about her late mother’s reaction: ‘It’s the worst thing she did to me. I know I broke her trust.
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‘I had tried to kill myself – even if it was only for 10 minutes. As outlandish and critical as she was, she would never get over one of us dying, especially by our own hand.
‘I was dead to her for two years – either as punishment or perhaps she was bracing herself for the next time.’
Need support?
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If you’re a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide UK. Their HOPELINK digital support platform is open 24/7, or you can call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email: [email protected] between the hours of 9am and midnight.
Selma Blair has opened up about her mental health struggles (Picture: John Shearer/Getty Images)
Selma Blair tried to take her life ‘a few times’ while battling symptomsof her then-undiagnosed multiple sclerosis.
The Cruel Intentions actress, 50, spent years living with the physical and mental impact of the incurable disease before she finally received her diagnosis in August 2018.
Selma admitted she got so desperate before doctors worked out she was dealing with that she ‘attempted suicide’.
The mum-of-one, who has son Arthur, 11, with her fashion designer ex Jason Bleick, 49, revealed in a cover interview for May’s British Vogue magazine: ‘As an adult, the lassitude and anxiety (from her MS) became terrifying, actually.
‘I made mistakes. Wished myself dead. Attempted suicide. A few times. Out of desperation.’
Selma also opened up about how life on film sets was so painful while living with her undiagnosed illness – which attacks the immune system and causes nerve damage to the brain and spine – she would numb her pain and anxiety with tranquilisers and alcohol.
Selma has been open about her physical and mental health battle (Picture: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
She said: ‘Sets were excruciating sometimes with the exhaustion and the tics. I took benzos and Klonopin (used to prevent seizures and anxiety disorders.)
‘I didn’t abuse those things, just alcohol. But I was lost and sad and could hardly ever smile. Hence my roles, I imagine.’
Selma previously opened up about one of her suicide attempts in her 2022 autobiography Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up.
She said it came after a painful break up from her physical education horse trainer, Todd.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Selma sneaked into his closet as he slept and swallowed a bottle of Tylenol with tequila, but changed her mind about wanting to die and woke up Todd and told him what she’d taken.
Her recovery was brutal as her mum told her she was dead to her due to her suicide attempt.
Selma told Elle magazine about her late mother’s reaction: ‘It’s the worst thing she did to me. I know I broke her trust.
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‘I had tried to kill myself – even if it was only for 10 minutes. As outlandish and critical as she was, she would never get over one of us dying, especially by our own hand.
‘I was dead to her for two years – either as punishment or perhaps she was bracing herself for the next time.’
Need support?
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If you’re a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide UK. Their HOPELINK digital support platform is open 24/7, or you can call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email: [email protected] between the hours of 9am and midnight.