Shefali Jariwala was fighting epilepsy and depression at 15: The mental health crisis rarely spoken about

Shefali Jariwala, the iconic “Kaanta Laga” girl and Bigg Boss 13 participant, tragically passed away from cardiac arrest on the night of June 27, 2025, in Mumbai at the age of 42. She was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival; her body was later taken to Cooper Hospital for a post-mortem. News of her sudden demise has left fans, friends, and the entertainment industry in shock, with many mourning the loss of her vibrant personality and contributions to pop culture.

When most of us remember Shefali Jariwala, images of her storming the early 2000s pop scene with Kaanta Laga, exploding onto TV sets and reality shows, likely come to mind. What we may not realize is that behind her bold dance moves and confident persona lay a hidden battle that began in her teenage years—one with epilepsy and its shadowy companion, depression.

Fight against epilepsy

In a 2021 interview, Shefali revealed she had her first epileptic seizure at the tender age of 15, which flipped her life upside-down. The seizures struck in classrooms, backstage at events, even on the streets—always at inopportune moments. “I had an epilepsy seizure at the age of 15. I remember at that time I was under tremendous pressure to do well in my studies. Stress and anxiety can lead to seizures. It’s interrelated, you could get a seizure due to depression and vice versa," she told ETimes.

For years, Shefali walked the tightrope between performing and protecting her health. Becoming famous overnight with Kaanta Laga at age 20 should have been a dream come true—but the burden of unpredictable seizures stalked her backstage and on the streets. She often passed on opportunities because she feared her next episode would come at the wrong time.

What is epilepsy and how is it related to depression?

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes a person to have repeated seizures. These seizures happen because of sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain. Think of it like a power surge in your body’s control room—your brain. Depending on where the surge happens, seizures can look very different: some people blank out for a few seconds, while others may have full-body convulsions.

Now, here’s the part people don’t talk about enough—epilepsy isn’t just about seizures. It messes with your emotions too. And that’s where depression comes in.

Living with epilepsy can be exhausting, mentally and emotionally. Imagine constantly worrying about when the next seizure might hit—at work, in public, while driving, or even while sleeping. That kind of uncertainty can eat away at your peace of mind. Over time, this chronic stress often turns into anxiety or depression.

But it’s not just the fear. The brain regions involved in epilepsy, especially the temporal lobe, also play a role in regulating mood. So when those areas are affected, it can directly mess with your emotional balance. Basically, epilepsy doesn’t just zap your neurons—it can throw your mental health off-kilter too.

Anti-seizure drugs may help control the condition, but they can also have mood-related side effects—fatigue, low motivation, even irritability. And that creates a tough cycle: you’re managing your seizures but your mood tanks, which can make coping even harder.

What many people don’t realize is that depression in people with epilepsy is extremely common. And because the focus is usually on the seizures, the emotional struggles often go unnoticed or untreated.

That’s why it’s important to look at epilepsy as a full-body, full-life condition. It’s not just about treating seizures—it's about treating the whole person, mind included. Therapy, support groups, and antidepressants (when needed) can make a huge difference. And talking about it, like Shefali Jariwala did, helps break the stigma and reminds others: it’s okay to ask for help—your mental health matters just as much as your physical one.