Lena Dunham defends mental health medication and says 'meds didn't make me a hollowed out version of my former self'

'Every pop cultural image we see of a woman on psychiatric medication is that of an out-of-control, exhausting and exhausted girl,' says star

The Girls star raises public awareness about mental health

Lena Dunham has sought to draw attention to the stigma surrounding women and mental health medication.

The Girls star published two Instagram posts highlighting negative and damaging stereotypes of anti-depressants.

Having been a long-time proponent of mental health awareness, the 29-year-old has frequently spoken about her past experiences of anxiety, OCD and taking anti-depressants.

Her first Instagram post featured an image of actress Patty Duke grabbing for a pot of pills, alongside a caption highlighting detrimental perceptions of medication.

“Lately I've been noticing that nearly every pop cultural image we see of a woman on psychiatric medication is that of an out-of-control, exhausting and exhausted girl who needs help,” Dunham wrote.

“But guess what? Most women on meds are women who have been brave enough to help themselves.

“It's important that we see normalising portrayals of people, women, choosing to take action when it comes to their mental health. Meds didn't make me a hollowed out version of my former self or a messy bar patron with a bad bleach job.

“They allowed to really meet myself. I wish that for every lady who has ever struggled. There's really no shame”.

The second Instagram post featured a photo of pills on a tongue with the succinct caption ‘Can I live?’

The Brooklyn-born actress has not only been vocal about struggling with OCD in real life but her character in TV show Girls, Hannah Horvarth, also battles with the condition.

In the past, Dunham has spoken candidly about how exercise has helped her deal with her anxiety disorder.

“To those struggling with anxiety, OCD, depression: I know it's mad annoying when people tell you to exercise, and it took me about 16 medicated years to listen. I'm glad I did. It ain't about the ass, it's about the brain,” she wrote in an Instagram post.

Talking to Rolling Stone, Dunham has previously described being “drugged like a big horse” on high doses of anti-depressants as a teenager.

“I was so exhausted all the time, night sweats," she said.