Yo Yo Honey Singh has been very vocal about being dependent on alcohol and other intoxicating substances before his mental health took a toll. Singh was at the peak of his career in 2014; however, his health was in shambles after he battled bipolar disorder, due to which he isolated himself. The singer recalled reaching a stage where he prayed for death.
Honey Singh on battling bipolar disorder
Speaking on the ABTalks podcast recently, Singh recalled, “I used to smoke a lot, and I didn’t know that it was taking me over and that it was controlling me. I was on a world tour with Shah Rukh Khan, I was judging a reality show, and was starring in a Punjabi film, so everything was happening perfectly. But then I got symptoms of bipolar disorder. It starts from the feeling of suspicion; you have a fear of death and people.”
He further spoke about how his family nudged him towards spirituality and how it became a turning point in his recovery. “I told God, sorry, I disrespected you, I didn’t believe in you, so now whoever you are, whatever your name is, I’m going to start respecting you because I want something from you, and that was death because I was unable to control what was happening inside me. I was done with myself. That night, I asked for death, but I didn’t get it. I got the purpose to live.”
“When I became a believer, my life changed,” Singh said, adding that everything he does now feels like a second chance.
However, he admitted that the heavy medication he took for seven years took a toll on his body. The singer shared that he gained weight and reached 105 kilos. He also revealed that he lost all his hair and still wears a wig.
Yo Yo Honey Singh reveals his treatment journey
Honey Singh also said that recovery was far more difficult. He added that even after he stopped using drugs in 2014, it still took him several years to feel mentally stable again. “You won’t believe it, but even after I stopped doing drugs in 2014, it still took me seven to eight years to recover,” he shared.
The singer revealed that nearly a decade ago, he completely isolated himself from the world. He said he locked himself in a room, stopped speaking to people, and cut himself off from the media as he didn’t want to interact with fans. He later mustered the courage to step outside, changed his doctors and medications, which helped him.
The singer clarified that he still lives with bipolar disorder, but said he has found stability through treatment, reflection, and faith. “I’m still a patient of bipolar disorder. But God has been kind. I’m travelling the world, doing shows again, and making music. It’s a miracle,” he said.
