Kellie Pickler Beat Depression With Lists, Friends, & New Love 10/31/08

Country sweetheart Kellie Pickler has beaten depression by making lists and surrounding herself with great people.

The Red High Heels singer battled the blues in 2007 when a bad break-up and a string of family issues left her reaching for the anti-depressants. But, when they didn't work, the former American Idol star turned to a non-medical solution - she picked up a pen and paper.

She says, "I've struggled with depression my whole life and I've always been an insecure person... Last year was really rough on me... Everything in my career was great but my personal life was crumbling. "I was on anti-depressant pills all last year... I just really had to sit back and re-evaluate the people that I'm around and make a list of everything that really is bothering you and hurting you and do what you can to find closure in that part of your life."

"It's well known that there's always been a struggle between my mother and me and my father and me; I don't have the relationship with them that I would like to have and for so long I kinda blamed myself for it. Now, I've got great people around me and you're only as good as the company you keep."

And she admits her new love is giving her a new positive outlook on life: "He's amazing and he's a songwriter... He's a great guy and I've finally found one guy that I don't hate... He's really good to me."