'I've suffered my whole life': Emotional Jamelia talks about battle with depression on Loose Women as she says she 'couldn't function' after divorce from Darren Byfield

By Rebecca Davison for MailOnline

Published: 16:11, 19 May 2016 | Updated: 16:44, 19 May 2016

Jamelia became very emotional on Loose Women on Thursday when she revealed she has battled depression all of her life. 

The revelation came about after the 35-year-old said her daughter, Teja, 11, came to her and said, "Mum, I'm so depressed".' 

In order to teach her daughter about the condition, the singer revealed she sat her down and explained the effects.

Scroll down for video 

Candid: Jamelia became very emotional on Loose Women on Thursday when she revealed to the panel and to the nation that she has battled depression all of her life

Candid: Jamelia became very emotional on Loose Women on Thursday when she revealed to the panel and to the nation that she has battled depression all of her life

She said: 'I thought, I can't have her feeling down and calling this depression. That's not what it is. 

'Like when her bedroom's neat and her friends say "Oh, you've got OCD". It belittles the condition.'

She continued: 'So I explained it all to her and she started crying but it was an important lesson for her to learn.'

Opening up: The revelation came about after the 35-year-old said her daughter, Teja, 11, came to her and said, "Mum, I'm so depressed",' which prompted the star to sit down and explain the condition

Opening up: The revelation came about after the 35-year-old said her daughter, Teja, 11, came to her and said, "Mum, I'm so depressed",' which prompted the star to sit down and explain the condition

Belittled: The star explained that referring to yourself as 'depressed' when you're upset and as having 'OCD' when your tidy, belittles the conditions 

Belittled: The star explained that referring to yourself as 'depressed' when you're upset and as having 'OCD' when your tidy, belittles the conditions 

Jamelia talked further about her personal struggle, saying she was diagnosed with depression eight years ago when she split from footballer Darren Byfield. 

She said: 'I couldn't function. I wasn't great at the things I normally am. I was so consumed with sadness. It was hard to get up and make the breakfast which is hard when you're a single mother.

'I pride myself on being strong. I ended up at the doctors. I went on anti-depressants and that was a huge turning point for me. I would rather not be medicated. No offence to anyone else.'

Confession: Jamelia talked further about her personal struggle, saying she was diagnosed with depression eight years ago when she split from footballer Darren Byfield and was unable to 'function' 

Confession: Jamelia talked further about her personal struggle, saying she was diagnosed with depression eight years ago when she split from footballer Darren Byfield and was unable to 'function' 

Struggling: Jamelia described herself as being 'consumed with sadness,' during her depression battle and added that she found it hard to get up and perform tasks such as making breakfast for her children
Honest: Jamelia spoke candidly about her battle

Struggling: Jamelia described herself as being 'consumed with sadness,' during her depression battle and added that she found it hard to get up and perform tasks such as making breakfast for her children

The panel asked Jamelia how she came out of it. 

'You don't come out of it,' she replied. 'You just become more aware of the triggers. It can be things like being let down by someone or someone upsetting me and then you go in that zone. 

'It happened to me recently and I was telling myself that no one cares about me. But I cannot afford to get in a hole.' 

Pulling through: Jamelia explained the turning point for her came when she was prescribed anti-depressants which she did not want to take as she didn't want to be medicated 

Pulling through: Jamelia explained the turning point for her came when she was prescribed anti-depressants which she did not want to take as she didn't want to be medicated 

Proud: Jamelia said she wasn't ashamed and that caring for your mental health is just as important as looking after yourself physically. She added that she had learnt to look out for the triggers 

Proud: Jamelia said she wasn't ashamed and that caring for your mental health is just as important as looking after yourself physically. She added that she had learnt to look out for the triggers 

She added: 'It's not something I'm ashamed of. I've told my friends about it and now they have an awareness. I think your mental health is just as important as your physical health. 

'When you notice you're not functioning, or avoiding friends, being closed off or pulling yourself away, because I'm open about it, they know.'

On a positive note, Jamelia added: 'My daughter has been fantastic about it. She is worried though because I only told her a couple of weeks ago.' 

With the girls: Jamelia was joined by the Loose Ladies for the frank discussion which saw her open up about her ongoing battle with the condition. (L-R) Ruth Langsford, Jane Moore, Jamelia and Sherrie Hewson

With the girls: Jamelia was joined by the Loose Ladies for the frank discussion which saw her open up about her ongoing battle with the condition. (L-R) Ruth Langsford, Jane Moore, Jamelia and Sherrie Hewson

Comments (35)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now