Jelena Dokic shares her struggle with mental health in lockdown

Former tennis star Jelena Dokic has opened up about her mental health struggles and given a raw and vulnerable insight into her life in lockdown.

Jelena Dokic has shared her battles with mental health and anxiety through Melbourne’s latest strict lockdown.

The former Aussie tennis star admits she has at times felt flat and depressed in an honest series of posts on Instagram.

She shared a raw and vulnerable picture of herself after suffering an anxiety attack.

“Hair not brushed? Dark circles under my eyes? Just a bad selfie?

“That's not all this is. This is actually what getting no sleep, exhaustion and worry while trying to settle an anxiety attack looks like.

“Had a bad night due to anxiety. Heavy breathing, chest pressure, panic and getting emotional.

“It took a while but I was able to get my anxiety attack under control.

“I have always been very honest, raw and vulnerable with you all here on Instagram and especially the last few years since I completely opened up in my book about very important issues and battles that I went through.”

Dokic has previously detailed her battles with weight loss and domestic violence and says she is opening up again to destigmatise mental illness.

“It’s not always all sunshine and rainbows and don’t forget that Instagram is just highlights and not always the true representation of what is going on and that’s what I try to show you,’’ she wrote.

“The things that are not always pretty but at the core extremely important to talk about and emphasise.

“This is not a pity party at the slightest. I just wanted to remind you all that this is normal, everyone is going through something and I just want to give some support to others that might be going through something, especially anxiety or depression.

“You never know what someone is going through and what battle they are fighting, so be kind.”

Dokic says it’s not easy to share her struggles with her 54,000 followers, but she has received many warm and positive responses to her honesty.

A week ago the former world No. 4 player and tennis commentator admitted that hearing about the extension of lockdown had brought back a lot of sad memories from the past but she tried to focus on happier times.

“I am flat and feel depressed which is so dangerous for me as I battled depression for a long time,’’ she wrote.

“I look at the happiness in these photos and the reality of now being at home alone in Melbourne’s 6th lockdown which is again the harshest in the world, hits me.

“I am trying to be grateful though and put things into perspective.”

She added: “As bad as things are now again here in Melbourne, when I see what is happening around the world though which has been so tough to watch, especially as a woman, and has brought back a lot of sad memories for me as a refugee, I am grateful.

“Tough times don’t last but tough people do.

“This is temporary, it will not last forever.

“After every storm there is a rainbow and there is a light at the end of the tunnel even if it doesn’t look like it right now.

“Hang in there. We got this, stay strong. We are stronger and more resilient than we know.

“I hope this helps someone today and please share if you think someone should see this.”