News | Entertainment
29 Mar 2024 8:49
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Zachary Levi had a "complete mental break down" five years ago

    The 'Shazam!' actor has "struggled with" anxiety and depression for most of his life due to childhood trauma and self-doubt over his career but he didn't realise the extent of his problems until he hit rock bottom


    Speaking on the 'Heart of the Matter' podcast, he said: "I've struggled with this stuff most of my life. I didn't realise that I was struggling with these things until I was 37, about five years ago and I had a complete mental breakdown."

    The 41-year-old star recalled how he had moved to Austin, Texas and was struggling to focus on ordinary tasks such as unpacking and even settling on a place to eat, which led him to a panic attack while out in his truck.

    He said: "I drove around probably for 10 minutes not knowing which place to eat because I didn't know which place was the right place to eat as opposed to just saying, 'Zach, just go eat some food. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you go to that pizza joint or that Chinese place or whatever. Just go get some food. If you're hungry, go get some food.'

    "I'm sitting in my truck, and vividly, I remember I was holding onto the wheel and I was just shaking back and forth, that like almost trying to shake myself out of what it was going on, and I'm just weeping. I'm just crying. I'm like, 'God, help me.'"

    The 'Tangled' star was grappling with suicidal thoughts, made particularly tougher because he'd moved away from his "support structure", so he took himself to hospital.

    He candidly admitted: "I was having very active thoughts of ending my life.

    "It wasn't the first time I had had them. I had been in dark places in my life before, but I guess in those moments I had people around me.

    "I had foolishly, I mean, I think I made the right choice in moving to Austin. I don't think I did it exactly the right way. I didn't realise I was running away from so much, but I moved out here and I didn't have anybody.

    "I didn't have a support structure. ... So, in this particular moment, I'm out here in this wonderful city, but basically by myself, and the darkness surrounds me again. The lies are whispering into my ear and the failure that I felt that I was enough to be like, 'Zach, it doesn't feel like you're going to make it out of this.' "

    At the suggestion of a "dear friend", Zachary sought treatment at a psych ward, where he underwent three weeks in "intensive life-changing, life-saving therapy."

    And these days, the 'Chuck' actor manages his mental health issues with diet, exercise, and good sleeping habits, as well as his faith.

    He said: "Prayer and meditation are very important, which are also somewhat synonymous, I think, in some ways. Sometimes my prayer is meditation. Sometimes I'm just there and allowing God to take over what that time is."

    The full podcast episode will be released on 28 July.

    © 2024 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     29 Mar: Inside Islamic State's transformation, from life support to 'slaughtering with gusto'
     29 Mar: Joely Richardson struggled to find an agent after she turned 50
     29 Mar: Steve Harvey could easily "get rid" of one of his daughter's boyfriends
     29 Mar: King Charles and Queen Camilla will attend the Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle
     29 Mar: Bill Nighy thinks he could deliver a baby via caesarean section
     29 Mar: Paris Hilton created a "Barbie doll perfect life" persona as a "trauma response" to the alleged abuse she suffered at school
     28 Mar: Lily Allen was introduced to Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher as Rita Ora - and was too mortified to disclose who she really was
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Ardie Savea insists an elevation to All Blacks captain is the last thing on his mind as he continues his season in Japan More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Another pay offer is on the table for Police - after union members labelled the last one insulting More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Inside Islamic State's transformation, from life support to 'slaughtering with gusto' 8:37

    Entertainment:
    Joely Richardson struggled to find an agent after she turned 50 8:23

    Rugby:
    Ardie Savea insists an elevation to All Blacks captain is the last thing on his mind as he continues his season in Japan 8:17

    International:
    A global cocoa shortage could soon impact the price of chocolate, and PNG growers are cashing in 8:07

    Rugby:
    Chiefs Manawa fullback Renee Holmes is sceptical over a merge between Super Rugby Aupiki and the Australian Super W competition in the near future 8:07

    Rugby League:
    To rugby league's NRL.. 7:57

    Entertainment:
    Steve Harvey could easily "get rid" of one of his daughter's boyfriends 7:53

    Living & Travel:
    Dog owners are being reminded Easter egg hunts can be deadly for their pets 7:47

    Motoring:
    Christchurch Police have arrested three people, summonsed 11 others, and impounded 13 vehicles after the Chrome car show earlier this month 7:37

    Golf:
    To a Foxy-finish with a flourish on golf's PGA Tour.. 7:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2024 New Zealand City Ltd