Kirstin Dunst opened up to E! Online's Marc Malkin about her February trip to Cirque Lodge Treatment Center in Utah.
"I didn’t go to Cirque Lodge for alcohol abuse or drug abuse," Dunst said during filming for her new movie, All Good Things. "I went there for depression."
At the time, the actress's partying and drinking habits were topics of debate and tabloid fodder.
"She does drink and she does have wild nights, but that was never the root of her issues," a source close to Dunst told People. "She couldn't control her depression."
The 26-year-old actress said it was ultimately her decision to seek treatment, although she did receive advice from doctors, friends and family.
"It was a good six months before I decided to go away," she said. "I was struggling, and I had the opportunity to go somewhere and take care of myself. I was fortunate to have the resources to do it. My friends and family thought it was a good idea, too. But I didn't know where to go. My doctor recommended Cirque Lodge."
Dunst said she decided to reveal the information because of the speculation and negative press she has received.
"There's been a lot of misrepresentation about what is going on in my life, and it's been very painful for my friends and family," she said. "Everyone feels like they have to defend me. They hear the rumors, and it puts them in a defensive position. Now that I'm feeling stronger, I was prepared to say something."
She also said that depression can affect anyone, even wealthy starlets. Dunst has been acting since 1989 and has received media attention since 1994's Interview with the Vampire with Tom Cruise.
"We're all in the same boat together," Dunst said about people suffering from mental illness. "Depression is pretty serious and should not be gossiped about."
