Amanda Bynes recently opened up about her struggles with depression and weight gain on her Instagram Story. She shared that she has gained over 20 pounds due to depression but is now feeling better and ready to work on getting back in shape. Bynes, now 37 years old, currently weights 162 pounds but hopes to slim down to 110 pounds. She has learned to take action even when she doesn’t feel like exercising or eating healthy.
The former child star has a history of struggling with body image and drug abuse. Bynes admitted in a 2018 interview that she had abused Adderall, a medication used to treat focus issues, to stay thin. She obtained a prescription by faking symptoms of ADD and would chew the tablets while on set, leading to memory issues. Bynes eventually left a film due to her addiction to Adderall, recognizing her mistake in walking off set and leaving the crew stranded.
Bynes has had a tumultuous history with mental health struggles, including multiple stints in treatment centers and psychiatric holds. She was found walking naked around Los Angeles and placed in a psychiatric hold for a few weeks. After being released, she voluntarily checked back into a treatment center. Bynes had been under a conservatorship for eight years, which ended in 2022, allowing her to make her own decisions about her mental health and wellbeing.
Despite her struggles, Bynes has been working on herself and her appearance. She has had cosmetic surgery on her eyelids to boost her self-confidence and experimented with different hair colors. After briefly dyeing her hair black, she returned to her signature platinum blond. Bynes has been honest about her past mistakes and the unprofessional behavior she exhibited while struggling with her mental health and addiction.
Bynes’s openness about her mental health struggles and her commitment to improving is inspiring to many of her fans. She has faced challenges with body image and drug abuse but has sought help and made changes to prioritize her well-being. With her conservatorship ending in 2022, Bynes has been taking steps to take control of her life and make healthier choices. Her journey of self-discovery and growth continues as she works on getting back in shape and focusing on her mental health.
