Recovering Alexa Ray Joel Talks About "Heartbreak-Related Depression"
Credit: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images
In the new year, Alexa Ray Joel plans to speak up about the "heartbreak-related depression" that contributed to her scary Dec. 5 incident -- in which she was rushed to Manhattan's St. Vincent's Hospital after swallowing a handful of homeopathic pills. (The pills weren't capable of killing her, but a panicked Joel called 911 to get checked out by doctors.)
Look back on these stars who also had a challenging year in 2009
The recovering 24 year-old musician posted a note on Facebook on New Year's Eve to gratefully acknowledge her friends, fans and supporters. "I just wanted to thank you all for the incredible outpouring of love and support," wrote Joel, the daughter of music legend Billy Joel and supermodel Christie Brinkley. "It's certainly been a whirlwind of a month, but reading all of your encouraging posts has never failed to cheer me up!"
Smooch! See stars ring in the New Year with a kiss
Noting "many new exciting developments" for 2010, Joel mentions "creative projects" plus volunteer work, including a new pet cause. The rock progeny says she wants "to help young girls with something I feel I know a GREAT deal about: Heartbreak-Related Depression. Although it does not get much attention in our society, it is a very serious and painful condition that often gets 'swept under the carpet.' I hope to bring this topic more to light"
The year in Us Weekly covers: see them all
At the time of her early December incident, Joel had been dealing with the end of a long-term relationship with former bandmate Jimmy Riot. Joel, a graduate of NYU, says she is extending her education to further examine her depression. "I'm even going back to school for Psychology in hopes to learn more about this and many other afflictions that many of us have had to face," she says. "After all, there's nothing more fascinating than the human mind and it's respective conditions."
Hear New Year resolutions from other celebs
In the Facebook note, the young woman also thanks her mother for a recent birthday celebration (she turned 24 on Dec. 29): " Just want to send a quick shout-out to my beautiful Mother and all of her friends for the lovely "Birthday Tribute"... I was very moved by that, so thank you!!!!"
Tell Us What You Think
63I think Alexa is very sexy-those eyes-that beautiful cheek bone structure and dimples. love her-shes exotic. young heart break is very intense. my first break up was very painful, i was young and passionate and did not know how to handle my emotions. after a couple more experiences with dating different people -me breaking some hearts and getting my heart broken again-I learned to accept it and how I best grieve-have an outlet-jogging made me feel powerful,yoga, also a change like I put a purple streak in my hair-sounds silly but it was a rebirth. good for her going into psychology and being brave enough to tell her story.
DOES SHE REALIZE WHO HER PARENTS ARE? SOUNDS LIKE A SPOILED LITTLE RICH GIRL! GROW UP!!
Type your comment here
wear a bra please....
SHE MAY BE RECOVERING FROM DEPRESSION--BUT NOTHING COULD RECOVER MY EYESIGHT FROM THAT PICTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alexa has flawless skin, gorgeous long hair, great big brown eyes and is naturally endowed. To those who say she is bad looking, you've got other issues you are projecting onto this poor girl. Think back to when you were young -- before you had baggage -- when your first big relationship ended. Maybe some of you have just never been truly loved nor have you truly deeply loved another. Very sad for you. Alexa is a beautiful sensitive young lady. Haters can just SUCK IT, B*itches!
Close to 6yrs ago my husband took up with a coworker (a troubled women) that ruined my life & that of my child at that time he was under 10yrs old and hes dad took up with this women and pretty much left us i had been with his dad just over 10yrs.i sunk into the deepest depression that anyone could have gone through and i survived it was really ,really hard cause my son missed his dad and i couldnt do anything to make my child feel better and on top of my sadness i had to deal with my young childs sadness so i want women to know that you can get through this heartbreak related depression even if you havent got a mansion or a fancy New York Apartment to live through this time.
Also, WHAT do her parents know? How many times have they EACH been married and divorced? I think Christie her mom has now been divorced 4 times and her dad at least a couple. THEY sure each have their own major issues with relationships and can't chose right or keep one going, no way they can be role models. No wonder the girl is a mess. Parent's always screw kids up bad. Think back, most of our own parents were idiots, sorry, but a fact.
I HIGHLY doubt that singer (she IS good), millionaire daughter Joel is going to take time away from her singing and life to go back to school and study Psychology! HA! Life IS tough, there are going to be many more heartbreaks where mommy and daddy can't fix her and she needs to grow up and stand on her own two feet instead of running to her parents. If she tried to kill herself over a fool MAN (they come a dime a dozen), she really does have mental problems. NO man is worth any type of pain. Move on! NEXT!
To Absolutely!= you have no right to judge anyone! she's beautiful!
Girl, you really do need to go and study something!! You are a pathetic example to the human race. go back to your mansion.
Wow what an idiot. Homeopathic pills? Publicizing heartbreak related depression? Is she for real?
Young Girl got her heart broken. No it's not "HUGE" news.. it happens everyday, but that doesn't mean that its not a big deal in that person's life. It can bring anyone down.. Rich, poor, famous, not famous... She is a lovely girl and her family loves her and with them she will be just fine.. it just takes a little time when you get lost to find your way back.. Good luck Alexa!
Wow - It always amazes me how the "Celebrity Children" complain, whine, cry, attempt suicide - because they have so many problems - TRY NOT HAVING ANY FOOD, LIGHTS, GAS OR WATER - THEN YOU HAVE PROBLEMS. This girl has everything and anything she has ever wanted - and both parent's are in her life - So, what's the problem with this girl - OH SHE JUST NEEDS SOME MORE ATTENTION - I'm so sick of this kinda crap. Maybe she should go live in S. Africa - Then she would appreciate the life she has more.
She's probably a cute girl when she doesn't pull her hair back so far off of her forehead. She has her mother's smile.
Wow, that girl is FUGGGGGLY!
How are some of you so cruel to make fun of her or trivialize what she went through? The same thing happened to that girl who had the nextdoor neighbor mom pretending to be an online boy that loved her. When the mom posing as the boyfriend broke up with her the girl killed herself. Who cares if Alexa is the daughter of two famous people she still is subjected to the same feelings as the rest of us. I wish her all the best.
if you don't succeed at offing yourself - it was only a cry for attention.
Poor girl. I hope she feels better soon.
I don't think many who have commented on here that she should appreciate her wealthy parents and just get over it have never been in love. When you really LOVE someone and it ends, it does hurt and if you always thought your feelings were returned and had talked about a future together, it can be devistating. Those of you who are so flippant have never been in love, or never let yourself be emotionally vulnerable enough to truly be in love. Alexa is a beautiful talented young woman and she will move on from this in time -- I applaud her for wanting to help others who are going thru the same thing.