Actress Deepika Padukone has urged women to indulge in self-care and to take some time off their various roles for themselves without feeling guilty about doing so. "Women have a tendency of feeling a lot of guilt. We are always trying to be perfect at playing different roles, so I feel it is important to take time for yourself and do it without guilt. Even if women go for a spa session, most women are thinking 'Oh, I have to go pick my kids from school' or 'My husband must be coming home," Deepika said at an event on 'Finding Beauty in Imperfection', organised by Ficci Ladies Organisation (FLO). Anisha Padukone On Sister Deepika's Battle With Depression: There Were Times When I Felt Helpless

In a pristine white ensemble and with her hair neatly tied, Deepika gave a motivational talk on how she dealt with depression, and the work being done by her NGO The Live Love Laugh Foundation, which was founded in 2015 and deals with mental health issues. What Deepika was not ready to talk about was the speculation around her November wedding to actor Ranveer Singh.

"I am certainly not answering this question... It's an extremely insensitive question to ask at an event like this," Deepika told a scribe who questioned about it.

However, the actress was at peace while she spoke how sharing her own experience of dealing with depression was life-changing for her. "Sharing my experience with depression made me feel lighter. It was like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, I felt transparent with no fear of being judged," Deepika said, adding that it left her happier, more sensitive, aware, and with an understanding of how fragile life is. Salman Khan Terms Depression as Luxury While Deepika Padukone Calls His Statement a Myth!

The ‘Padmaavat’ star said that it was her mother, Ujjala Padukone, who realised that she was suffering from depression. "In my case, I didn't know what I was feeling or going through and fortunately, it was my mother who was my caregiver and recognised my symptoms in the early stages. I was not feeling motivated anymore, I didn't know why I wasn't happy in my life, and she was the one who took me to a counselor who immediately recognised that I needed medical help," Deepika said.

She outlined the big difference between sadness and depression and said while people suffering from depression must be willing to seek help, those around them need to treat them with love and understanding.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 09, 2018 12:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).