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Paulina Porizkova has opened up about why she has resisted taking antidepressants to treat her depression, saying she suffered from a lack of libido, weight gain, and disinterest in writing when she was on them.
The supermodel, who has been candid about her mental health struggles, revealed on Tuesday in her latest Instagram post that she has been taking the over-the-counter supplement SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) to help with her depression.
'We live in unprecedented times. We are going through a national, perhaps global collective depression. Most of the people I know are now on antidepressants. Or at least, seriously considering it,' Paulina, 55, captioned a photo of herself looking away from the camera.
© Provided by Daily MailHonest: Paulina Porizkova, 55, has opened up in a candid Instagram post about why she has resisted taking antidepressants to treat her depression
© Provided by Daily MailHard to handle: The model explained that she suffered from a lack of libido, weight gain, and disinterest in writing while on them and had trouble weaning herself off
The model didn't say what antidepressants she took or how long she was on them, but she recalled the troubling side effects she had and how difficult it was for her to wean herself off of them.
'If it wasn't for my own battle of getting OFF antidepressants, I would have started taking them this fall when everything seemed never-ending and utterly bleak,' she wrote. 'But because of my previous experience (no libido, weight gain, no interest in writing, and the nightmare of getting off the drugs) I have been resisting as long as I could.'
Paulina stressed that she believes people should take antidepressants when they need them, saying they 'can save lives.'
'If this is what you need, then - isn't it so wonderful and amazing that a pill exists that makes you feel better?' she asked.
Paulina said it was her mother, Anna, who reminded her of the supplement SAMe, explaining that her mom 'took it when an unusual spell of depression hit her.'
SAMe is a compound found naturally in the body that helps produce and regulate hormones and maintain cell membranes, according to the Mayo Clinic. It's often used to treat depression, osteoarthritis, and liver disease.
© Provided by Daily MailRaw: Paulina, who stressed that antidepressants should be taken when needed, said she has been taking the dietary supplement SAMe to help with her depression
© Provided by Daily MailHonest: The supermodel has previously spoken about battling depression and anxiety after her husband Ric died in September 2019 at age 75
While a synthetic version is available as a dietary supplement in the U.S. it's a prescription drug in some countries in Europe.
Research has shown that SAMe has had a positive effect on treating depression, but many of the studies were ill-conceived and only included a small number of people.
'I have been taking the supplement since October, 1200 mg a day,' Paulina shared. 'Sometimes it makes me a little jittery, sometimes a tiny bit of an upset stomach (You're suppose to take it in an empty stomach).
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'It doesn't coat my pain or feeling of despair - but gives me enough energy to deal with them,' she explained, adding: 'I JUST found out that really crying things out - like, REALLY, for a few days - DOES help!'
WHAT IS THE SUPPLEMENT SAMe?
SAMe is a compound found naturally in the body that helps produce and regulate hormones and maintain cell membranes.
It's often used to treat depression, osteoarthritis, and liver disease.
While a synthetic version is available as a dietary supplement in the U.S. it's a prescription drug in some countries in Europe.
Research has shown that SAMe has had a positive effect on treating depression, but many of the studies were ill-conceived and only included a small number of people.
Source: Mayo Clinic
Paulina pointed out that in some parts of Europe, 'it's a prescribed substance,' saying 'it works on mild to moderate depression just as well as pharmaceuticals.'
She ended her post by explaining why antidepressants are now a last resort for her.
'For myself, I thought: why not make it the first resort and save the cannons for the last?' she wrote. 'So far, I haven't needed the cannons but I sure am glad I have them available if I need them after all.
'NO, I'm not getting paid for SamE,' she added. 'YES, I have tried all alternatives related to anxiety and depression, natural, holistic and not.'
The day before, Paulina posted a photo of herself watching a moving in her home with her black-framed glasses on.
'I was going to do a happy post for International Women's Day about how fabulous we all are - but ended up bawling while watching "A Man and A Woman" (Un Homme et Une Femme") instead,' she admitted. 'Still, we are pretty fabulous, ladies, so happy international women's day to all of you!'
Paulina has been candid about her struggles with depression and anxiety following the death of her husband Ric Ocakse, who passed away in September 2019 at age 75.
Less than a week ago, she shared a photo of her tear-stained face on a 'bad day.'
'One tries so hard to be grateful and positive and look ahead and all - but sometimes you just have a day like this. I know I'm still shedding my old skin and it still hurts,' she wrote.
'And in the middle of this pain - I flash on what I look like when I cry and take a photo! Talk about narcissism!' she continued. 'But being able to step back from your pain, even for a moment, and be objective about it - is a helpful distraction.
'I'm gonna ride this wave and hope for smoother seas.'
© Provided by Daily MailFamily: Paulina and Ric's finances were merged throughout their 28-year marriage, and they had two sons together, Jonathan, 27, and Oliver, 22 (pictured in 2016)
© Provided by Daily MailLoss: After Ric's death in September 2019, Paulina learned he had cut her out of his will, claiming she had 'abandoned' him, leaving her without any money to live off of
It's been a difficult year and a half for Paulina, who learned her estranged husband had cut her out of his will before his death, leaving her without any money to live off of, including her previous earnings.
The cover star didn't have a prenup when she married The Cars frontman in 1989, something she openly regrets following his death.
In September, Paulina sold the Gramercy Park townhouse where they raised their sons Jonathan, 27, and Oliver, 22, for $10 million. She still has her home in upstate New York, and she recently moved into a rental apartment in Manhattan.
Paulina, as Ric's widow, may be entitled under New York law to an 'elective share' of his estate because they were not legally divorced when he died.
Ric specifically addressed the rule in his will, stating: 'Even if I should die before our divorce is final.Paulina is not entitled to any elective share.because she has abandoned me.'
However, unless it can be proven in court that she did abandon him, she will likely be entitled to a one-third share of the musician's assets, which are listed as $5 million in 'copyrights,' $100,000 in 'tangible personal property,' and $15,000 in cash.
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