The ballerina admitted that she began to experience the illness after her retirement from dance in 2007.
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© Rex Features / Alastair Muir
The 43-year-old ended her career with a final performance at the Royal Opera House, where she received an eight-minute standing ovation.
The dancer spoke to The Sunday Times' Culture magazine about her problems post-retirement. She said: "From a child, I wanted to be a dancer, but do I have another identity - or is that it?
"I didn't appreciate how low I got. My husband did. He said, 'You know, Darcey, you're better when you're busy'. I thought it was weakness to show you couldn't cope."
Bussell also spoke about picking herself up again, saying: "As soon as I was moving, I was happy. It didn't have to be about perfection. There are so many styles to enjoy."
The star has since begun taking lessons in various different types of dance as well as becoming a permanent judge on the next series of BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing.
