Nigella Lawson opens up about living with depression on social media

Celebrity chef and writer Nigella Lawson has opened up about living with depression in a frank social media discussion.

The 59-year-old, candidly discussed suffering with the mental health condition in posts exchanged with author Matt Haig on Twitter yesterday (Friday).

Mental health advocate Haig is renowned for his work related depression, including his book Reasons to Stay Alive.

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

Nigella responded: "I always think too of Andrew Solomon’s phrase: 'depression is not the opposite of happiness: it's the opposite of vitality.'

A follower responded to opine depression can often come with anger, saying: "True, and it can also come with extreme anger, often directed at oneself."

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

Lawson has discussed mental health matters in the past and she has previously revealed she suffered with depression following the death of her first husband John Diamond.

Lawson, a journalist and food critic before turning to making cooking shows, had met Diamond in 1986 while they were both writing for The Sunday Times.

Together they had a daughter, Cosima, and a son Bruno, before Diamond died from throat cancer in 1997.

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She then married art dealer Charles Saatchi in 2003. Their relationship hid tabloid headlines in 2013 when Saatchi was pictured grabbing Lawson around the throat - they split up several weeks later.

Lawson has spoken previously about how daughter Cosima has helped her in her struggle to find happiness.

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.”