Anita Yuen’s Depression Almost Led to Divorce with Chilam Cheung
Together for 27 years, Anita Yuen (袁詠儀) and Chilam Cheung (張智霖) are inseparable. In a recent episode of the Chinese variety show Viva La Romance <妻子的浪漫旅行>, Anita traveled overseas for the first time without Chilam. She shared her vulnerability and tearfully opened up to her viewers about relying on her husband, saying that she will never travel again without Chilam by her side.
Chilam, who was recording the show in a studio, welled up in tears after hearing Anita’s confession.
Like what all normal couples would go through, married life wasn’t smooth sail for Chilam and Anita. In a sit-down segment featuring all the female guests of the show, Anita told the cast that she fell into postpartum depression after giving birth to her son Morton. “I just stayed at home all day, and [the depression] happened. I stopped showing any interest in my life.”
Anita then shared a time when she randomly broke down into tears after seeing her mother return home with two large bags of groceries. When her mother asked what was wrong, Anita simply said, “I don’t know. I was just thinking about how much you’re working. I cried.”
Chilam then asked if she had even wanted to help her mother. Normally, Anita would argue back, but at the time, she only knew how to cry and wasn’t able to control her emotions. Frustrated and at a loss of what to do, Chilam angrily walked out of the flat, banging the door shut.
“That was the first time I’ve ever seen him that angry,” said Anita. “I think he finally knew what was going on (the depression), and maybe he also didn’t know what to do. It was the hormones. I think a lot of men don’t realize this, and just think that being by your side would be enough.”
In an earlier interview, Anita mentioned that she considered divorce during her depression. When she watched how careful and hesitant Chilam was when he held their son, Anita thought Chilam considered them as a burden in his life.
The depression dragged on for half a year. Anita finally came to her senses when Chilam told her that they could no longer be together if she continued this downward spiral. Anita’s love for her family defeated all battles.
Source: HKET.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
Sounds like they are having alot of problems. Thought the article is going to be about how Chilam helped her over come her issues but its more about how he made her deal with it herself?
@mike
Looks like Chilam just issued an ultimatum. I don’t recommend this type of treatment of a wife or someone with depression at all…
@mike
Seems like Chilam does not understand depression. Threatening to end the relationship is probably the worst thing he would have done in such a situation but he got lucky….
Pretty surprised by Chilam’s passiveness and lack of sympathy for Anita. Always thought they were the perfect couple who supported each other through thick and thin. But this article makes me think that Anita is probably more accommodating towards him, for fear of risking their marriage.
PPD is very real. It’s a shame that many people in HK are still ignorant and unaware of the prevalence of depression and mental illness in society.
I don’t really knows what’s this all about but nothing wrong being traveling alone without your husband on your side? Is she trying to make a big deal out of it? Alots of couples travels alone they’re still a happy couples.
Probably Justin is sick of Anita playing the victim. I do believe that Anita is capable if acting up to get her way. She doesn’t come across as a docile and gentle-spirited woman.
She’s lucky to get pregnant and with a son to secure her place in her marriage. I won’t be surprised at all that they be divorced one day…it is just a matter of time. Justin doesn’t look like a happy husband!
@stars1
Firstly who is Justin? And secondly you are just making presumptions that Anita was uncontrollably crying and acting for a extended period of time for no reason…