Shefali Jariwala once revealed she suffered from epilepsy for 15 years: 'Stress and anxiety would lead to seizures'

The sudden demise of actress and model Shefali Jariwala at just 42 has left the entertainment world shocked and heartbroken. Famous for her smashing hit 'Kaanta Laga', Shefali’s passing has brought tears to many eyes. In a throwback interview, she once spoke honestly about her health problems and why she pulled back from her career.
In a past chat with Etimes, Shefali had shared that she had been living with epilepsy since she was a teenager. Opening up about how it started, she said, “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."


Shefali spoke bravely about how the condition knocked down her confidence. “I have got seizures in classrooms, backstage, while on roads, and somewhere that lowered my self-esteem," she revealed.

See more: Shefali Jariwala Passes Away at 42 Live Updates: Fans heartbroken over sudden loss of the ‘Kaanta Laga’ star
Why she stayed away from the limelight after 'Kaanta Laga'
Shefali became a household name overnight after 'Kaanta Laga' took the country by storm. Her stylish look and stunning dance moves made her an instant favourite. Many wondered why she didn’t go on to do more films and shows.

Shefali finally answered this question in the same interview, saying, “After I did Kaanta Laga, people asked me why I didn’t do more work. I can now say that it was because of the epilepsy seizures that I couldn’t take up much work. I didn’t know when I would get my next seizure… this went on for 15 years."


'I am proud of myself'
Though she battled epilepsy for 15 long years, Shefali also spoke proudly about how she managed to get better. “I am proud of myself because I managed my depression, panic attacks and anxiety naturally and with the help of a strong support system," she had said.

On Thursday, Shefali Jariwala passed away, reportedly due to a cardiac arrest, however official confirmation on this is awaited. Her husband Parag Tyagi and some others took her to Bellevue Multispecialty Hospital, but sadly, she was declared dead on arrival. After that, her body was moved to Cooper Hospital for a post-mortem. So far, her family has not put out any official statement. Fans and friends from the industry continue to share their shock and sorrow on social media, unable to believe that the smiling star is no more.