'I get consumed by fear': Leah Remini opens up about battling depression after leaving Scientology

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Leah Remini, the former Scientologist known for her outspokenness against the church, recently took to X to reveal her ongoing battle with depression and anxiety since leaving Scientology in 2013.

In her heartfelt message, Remini confessed to actively challenging herself by saying 'yes' to opportunities that involve leaving her home and venturing into the world. 

Leah Remini shares struggle with depression and anxiety 

"I have been doing something unfamiliar and uncomfortable lately: saying yes instead of no to opportunities that involve leaving my home and venturing into the world," she wrote on Monday, February 12.

"This is a big deal for me because, in recent years, I have said 'no' to a lot, from invitations to go out with friends to attending events and traveling. As some of you know, since I escaped from Scientology in 2013, I have been followed constantly by Scientology operatives and agents," the King of Queens star continued.

"These people hide in the shadows to monitor my movements and who I am meeting with so they can report back to Scientology's intelligence agency, the Office of Special Affairs, which reports directly to David Miscavige."

Remini detailed the constant surveillance and harassment she faces from alleged Scientology operatives and agents. She claimed that these individuals monitor her movements and report back to Scientology's intelligence agency, the Office of Special Affairs, which allegedly operates under the direction of David Miscavige. Remini accused the church of employing smear campaigns and tactics to undermine her psychologically and intimidate those around her.

According to her, these alleged operatives take unflattering pictures of her and use them in smear campaigns calling her a bigot.

"They hope will have an impact on me psychologically but also on people who are in my life or might consider being in my life," she noted. "Scientology has gone from those tactics, which are bad enough, to hiring vulnerable people living with severe mental illness to harass and intimidate me."

In addition, Remini said the church asked people to break into her gated community and put her, her friends, her family and her employers at risk.

"It is a constant struggle to push myself to experience my life," she admitted candidly. "I will have a good day and think to myself, 'OK, tomorrow I'm going to continue to do things that I want to do,' and then depression takes over."

"I get consumed by fear and find every reason not to go. I have to fight this in myself every day," she shared. "The process starts all over again from the moment I wake up; I want to get out; I want to experience so many things, including the mundane, and most days, I don't."

Remini revealed a "big win" for her would be visiting a friend or playing cards with her mother. She also said she "quietly celebrates" following through on those types of mundane plans.

"Given my depression and very warranted fears of being hunted, as well as my concerns for my friends' safety, it's a big thing to overcome," she said. "I wanted to share what I've been going through because if any of you feel this way, whether it's depression, anxiety, or any other reason, I understand. While our experiences may not be the same, the manifestation of what we are facing is similar."

Leah Remini allegedly 'harassed and intimidated' by Scientology

Leah Remini, known for her outspoken criticism of Scientology, has taken legal action against the organization, alleging years of harassment and intimidation

In 2023, Remini filed a lawsuit against David Miscavige, the head of Scientology, citing ongoing harassment by the church and its representatives. She accused Scientology of attacking her reputation on various websites and social media platforms, as well as organizing campaigns to pressure advertisers to pull commercials from programs featuring her.

"For the past ten years, Ms Remini has been stalked, surveilled, harassed, threatened, intimidated, and, moreover, has been the victim of intentional malicious and fraudulent rumors via hundreds of Scientology-controlled and -coordinated social media accounts that exist solely to intimidate and spread misinformation."

According to the lawsuit, Remini has endured a decade of stalking, surveillance, harassment, threats, and intimidation orchestrated by Scientology. She claimed that the organization used hundreds of coordinated social media accounts to spread misinformation and create a hostile environment aimed at silencing her criticisms.

Remini gave her reasoning for her choice after departing, saying, "I believe that people should be able to question things. I believe that people should value family, and value friendships, and hold those things sacrosanct. That for me, that's what I'm about."

"It wouldn't matter what it was, simply because no one is going to tell me how I need to think, no one is going to tell me who I can, and cannot, talk to."

In response to the alleged harassment, Remini sought a temporary injunction against Scientology from the court, aiming to halt the organization's campaign of intimidation. The legal action underscores the seriousness of the allegations and Remini's determination to hold Scientology accountable for its actions.

Explaining her decision to speak out against Scientology, Remini emphasized the importance of questioning authority and preserving personal autonomy. She stressed the value of family and friendships while asserting her right to think independently and engage in open dialogue without fear of reprisal.

In addition to legal recourse, Remini has utilized media platforms to raise awareness about Scientology's alleged misconduct. She launched a podcast and television program featuring former church members who shared their experiences of harm and manipulation within the organization, shedding light on its controversial practices.