Amanda Bynes Says She Lost Weight After Depression Struggles

Former child star Amanda Bynes is offering fans an inside look at her health and wellness journey.

This update comes months after Bynes opened up about the challenges she has faced in managing her mental health, specifically her struggle with depression, which she says has impacted her weight.

In a candid Instagram post in March, Amanda Bynes shared with her followers that her battle with depression had contributed to recent weight changes, bringing her wellness journey to the forefront of her social media presence.

Despite these obstacles, Bynes appears committed to her fitness goals.

On November 5, Bynes took to her Instagram Stories to share a screenshot from her step counter app, showing her daily achievements. The app revealed that she walked an impressive 14,895 steps, covering 6.60 miles and burning 481 calories, surpassing her daily workout target.

“Down 6lbs! 154lbs now,” she wrote of her weight loss progress.

This comes after Bynes gained over 20 lbs due to her struggles with depression.

“I’ve gained over 20 lbs. in the past few months from being depressed,” she wrote at the time. “I’m doing a lot better now and have learned to do opposite action when I don’t feel like working out or eating clean.”

“I weigh 162 lbs. right now and want to get back to 110 lbs.,” the actress added.

In a 2018 interview, Amanda Bynes opened up about the intense body image issues she faced during the height of her acting career, a struggle that ultimately contributed to her decision to step away from Hollywood in 2012, per People Magazine. She admitted that, while dealing with the pressures of the industry, she developed severe insecurities about her appearance, which led her down a difficult path with substance use, including Adderall.

Bynes shared that Adderall use became particularly problematic as she sought the stimulant for weight loss and to manage her anxieties around body image. The addiction worsened as her insecurities intensified, impacting her ability to work effectively. She described how her reliance on the drug affected her performances, making it difficult to focus on set and further diminishing her confidence.

These experiences all played a part in her decision to leave the entertainment industry in 2012, feeling that the pressures and expectations were too overwhelming to continue. Her departure allowed her to begin addressing her mental health and addiction challenges more openly, marking a turning point in her journey.

The former Nickelodeon star has since been candid about the impact of Hollywood pressures on young actors, hoping her story may encourage others to prioritize mental health and seek help.

In 2013, Amanda Bynes was hospitalized and placed under a psychiatric hold following a series of concerning incidents that raised alarms about her mental health.

The hospitalization occurred after Bynes allegedly started a small fire in a stranger's driveway in Thousand Oaks, California. The incident led authorities to intervene, resulting in her being placed under a 72-hour involuntary psychiatric hold, known as a 5150 hold in California, which allows individuals showing signs of mental health crises to be detained for evaluation.

Leading up to the hospitalization, Bynes had exhibited erratic behavior, which had been widely publicized through social media and tabloid reports. Her behavior, including unusual tweets and public altercations, raised concerns among her family, friends, and fans. The fire incident in July 2013 was a turning point, prompting intervention from both her family and mental health professionals.

Following the initial psychiatric hold, Bynes spent several months under treatment. During this time, her mother, Lynn Bynes, was granted temporary conservatorship to oversee her daughter’s affairs and healthcare decisions. This conservatorship arrangement aimed to provide Bynes with the support and stability needed during her recovery.

The 2013 hospitalization marked a challenging period in Bynes' life, but ultimately opened the door to a deeper understanding of her mental health needs. Since then, she has been candid about her struggles and has continued to work on her wellness journey, often sharing her progress with fans and expressing a desire to support others facing similar issues.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available. SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service. Contact them at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).