KUALA LUMPUR: Actress Tasha Shilla revealed that her bouts of depression had not only put her in danger but also created a negative public perception of her.
In a news report today, the 32-year-old actress, whose real name is Natasha Sheila Abdul Razak, said that she has been called crazy.
But what was more worrying was the fact that she also heard voices that told her to end her own life.
"I had suffered from mild depression after experiencing a bad breakup. This had severely affected my emotions. I looked just fine on the outside but my feelings were all muddled up. I could smile but on the inside I was crying and no one knew what was really happening," she said.
The actress added that although she could still function at work like normal, she would space out and feel melancholic at home.
At one point, people had even thought that she was having mental problems.
"I also began to hear voices telling me to take my own life. Fortunately, as a Muslim, my faith is strong and I could never do such a thing," she said.
The actress, who has been suffering from depression for about two years now, also revealed that she was slowly getting better after attending a series of counselling sessions.
"I still go for the session every now and then. I also make a point to live positively and to think rationally first before making any decisions," she said.
Apparently, Tasha would previously distract herself by going out to indulge in entertainment activities whenever a problem arises.
The star of the drama series Gemilang added that she now takes a more subdued and practical approach to life.
"Thank God, I now have a much happier and serene life," she said.