Sarah Hyland Opens Up About Depression And Suicidal Thoughts After Rejected Kidney Transplant

Sarah Hyland hasn't exactly been closed off about her health — the Modern Family actress has shared specifics about her kidney dysplasia, a kidney transplant, non-controllable weight fluctuations, and hospital selfies, to name just a couple of things she's spoke in recent years — although she just took things to a whole new level in a new interview with Self.


In the digital cover story, a tearful Hyland revealed that she underwent a second kidney transplant in September 2017. That was just one of the six surgeries she's had in the past 16 months, having also undergone treatment for endometriosis along with a hernia.


In October 2016, Hyland learned that her body had begun rejecting the her first kidney transplant — donated by her dad in 2012 — and she started dialysis treatment (while also juggling her job on one of TV's most popular sitcoms). In the meantime, her brother ready to donate a kidney to his older sister.


The surgery was a success, however it seems like the deepest pain from all of the trauma wasn't physical; it was emotional. Once a family gives you a second chance at life, and it also fails, it almost feels like it's your fault. And it's not. Nevertheless it does," she mentioned, reflecting on learning about her body's rejection and the emotional distress that followed. "At that time, I was very depressed. For a long time I was contemplating suicide."


Those feelings of being a constant "burden" on her family member are what made it so complicated for Hyland to accept her brother's organ upon learning he was a match. As soon as a second family — someone who you're supposed to look right after, like a little bit brother — wants to give you 1/3 chance at life, it's scary because you don't desire to fail them."


Watch Hyland show off her scars (located on her "KUPA," or "kidney upper-pussy area"), talk about her astonishing support system, and more in the emotional interview above.