Deepika Padukone's Sister Anisha On Actress Battling Depression: 'I Felt Helpless'

Deepika's sister Anisha is a professional golfer

Deepika Padukone's sister Anishka, who is a professional golfer, recently opened up in an interview with News18 about how she dealt with situation when the 32-year-old actress was diagnosed with depression. "Honestly, it was difficult for me as I had very little idea about mental illness and the role of a caregiver. Coping with mental illness affects both the individuals and members of their immediate family," said Anisha. In 2015, Deepika Padukone opened up about battling depression, following which she founded the NGO, Live Love Laugh Foundation, to help those with mental illness. In the interview, Anisha says she was engulfed by a feeling of helplessness but that's when their mother Ujjala Padukone intervened.

"There was not much information available where I could learn and equip myself to be of help. There were times when I felt helpless. Fortunately for us, my mother noticed something was wrong. We then approached a counsellor who is also a very close family friend and things worked out," News18 quoted Anisha as saying, who also added details about how Deepika's foundation has helped those suffering from depression. In 2015, Deepika detailed her experience of fighting depression in an exclusive interview to NDTV saying she felt "empty" and "directionless."

Deepika Padukone, who had three years ago, also told NDTV in an exclusive interview, the reason behind sharing about her low phase: "If I can impact one life in this entire process of speaking up and letting people know that it's something I have been through and something that I could deal with because I had a fantastic support system."

Last year, Deepika shared about being constantly fearing a relapse and told news agency PTI: "I don't think I can say that I'm completely over it (depression). There is always a fear at the back of my mind that I might have a relapse because it has been such a bad experience for me."

On the work front, Deepika Padukone was last seen in "Padmaavat", after she has not signed any film. Deepika's film with Irrfan Khan has been postponed indefinitely. She is currently dating Ranveer Singh and the couple are rumoured to be marrying in November this year.