"I got so anxious sitting in the make-up chair for hours with my face covered. I had my doctor write a prescription for valium. I couldn't have done it without the pill"

The quote by Kim Hunter offers a poignant glimpse into the often hidden obstacles faced by people in the entertainment industry, highlighting the intersection of mental health and professional demands. Hunter, an accomplished starlet, openly exposes her struggle with anxiety throughout the prolonged and precise process of make-up application, which is a routine yet possibly challenging aspect of her occupation. The stress and anxiety she explains is rooted in a sensation of discomfort and possibly claustrophobia, attributed to having her face covered for extended periods-- a common requirement for stars, particularly those associated with functions demanding elaborate costumes or prosthetics.

Her choice to look for a prescription for Valium, a medication understood for its anxiolytic results, highlights the intensity of her stress and anxiety and the impact it had on her capability to carry out. Valium, a benzodiazepine, is typically prescribed to ease anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures, showing that Hunter's stress and anxiety was not insignificant but needed substantial intervention. This dependence on medication to handle the pressures of her job reflects a broader mental health narrative within high-pressure markets where public performances or looks prevail.

Hunter's admission that she "couldn't have done it without the tablet" highlights not just the healing function of medication however also opens a dialogue about the requirement of attending to psychological health freely and without preconception. It serves to advise us that behind the glamour of Hollywood, many performers grapple with anxiety and other mental health obstacles, regardless of appearing positive and composed on screen or stage.

This quote also welcomes compassion from the audience, providing a humanizing viewpoint on celebs who are frequently idealized or evaluated superficially. It motivates a more detailed understanding of the personal toll that certain expert needs can exact, while promoting for a compassionate acknowledgment of the psychological health has a hard time even the most seemingly successful individuals might deal with.