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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Molly Pike

Nigella Lawson opens up about battle with depression and says it's 'anger turned inwards'

Nigella Lawson has opened up about her battle with depression, as she dubbed it "anger turned inwards".

The writer turned cook, 59, discussed how it feels to suffer from the mental health condition with author Matt Haig on Twitter on Friday.

Matt, who wrote the book Reasons to Stay Alive, said he thought depression was the "opposite of wellness", and Nigella voiced her agreement.

He had tweeted: "Depression is not the opposite of happiness. It is the opposite of wellness."

Nigella replied: "I always think too of @Andrew_Solomon ’s phrase: 'depression is not the opposite of happiness: it's the opposite of vitality.'"

Nigella Lawson has opened up about her battle with depression (Rex Features)

A Twitter user then told her that depression can often come with anger, replying: "True, and it can also come with extreme anger, often directed at oneself."

And Nigella replied: "Well, there is an argument that says depression is anger turned inwards, and anger is depression projected outwards...."

Nigella has been open about her battle with depression in the past.

Nigella Lawson uses the word 'quackling' to describe crispy roast duck skin

She admits to suffering a bout of depression following the death of her first husband John Diamond to throat cancer.

Earlier this year she revealed how her daughter Cosima taught her to be happy after her split from Charles Saatchi.

Saatchi was photographed grabbing her by the throat in 2013 and they split up weeks later.

Now she has overcome a fear of being photographed thanks to Cosima, her 25-year-old daughter from her marriage to John.

Nigella said: "I have been forced to be guarded. I used to be more open and I'd like to think I will be again.

"Cosima said to me, 'Mum, would you rather be a real person like you or someone who has hair and make- up done to go to the supermarket? It is better to be a real person.' She’s right.”

The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.

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