Chrissy Teigen opens up about her struggle with postpartum depression

Chrissy Teigen has bravely discussed her battle with postpartum depression for the first time. 

Penning an essay for Glamour magazine, the model - who welcomed daughter Luna with husband John Legend in April 2016 - made the admission in a bid to help other new mothers as she discussed the stigma surrounding the illness, the Daily Mail reports.

The star, 31, admitted she felt "selfish" admitting that she was struggling after the birth but is now feeling better with the help of anti-depressants and therapy. 

Chrissy admitted: "I felt selfish, icky, and weird saying aloud that I’m struggling. Sometimes I still do...

"I didn't think it could happen to me. I have a great life. I have all the help I could need but postpartum does not discriminate."

Discussing the moment she decided to seek help, she recalled: "I looked at my doctor, and my eyes welled up because I was so tired of being in pain."

Chrissy revealed that she has been taking antidepressants for little over a month.

She is also planning on seeing a therapist - as she quipped that she should have started seeing one before welcoming Luna.

Explaining why she decided to open up about her battle, she revealed that she wanted it known that postpartum depression can affect anyone and it is not an illness to be ashamed of. 

She also took to Instagram to share her essay with fans, telling them: "I'll just say it: I have post partum depression. So much love to @glamourmag for letting me share something that was eating me up inside for months and months."

While Chrissy is an avid user of social media, she explained that she did not feel the forum was the correct space to first share her diagnosis.

On Twitter, she responded the the outpouring of support she had received, insisting: "Important note: please don't feel like you have to tiptoe around me! It is the most uncomfortable feeling ahhhh only downside to sharing PPD."

And she joked: "All of a sudden everyone's "how are you!" turns to "how arrrrrre you??????" know what I'm saying? No? Yes? Ah."

Postpartum depression - also known as postnatal depression - is a type of depression that many parents experience after having a baby.

It's a common problem, affecting more than 1 in every 10 women within a year of giving birth. It can also affect fathers and partners, although this is less common. 

Many women do not realise they have post-natal depression because it can develop gradually - and Chrissy admitted she did not realise she had the illness as she thought it was only associated with wanting to harm your child.

SYMPTOMS OF PPD 

- Daily Mail