Country singer Kellie Pickler battled depression during a devastating 2007, during which she split from her boyfriend and her father was jailed.

Just as her career was beginning to take off, the former American Idol star's romance with ice hockey player Jordin Tootoo collapsed.

And then her father, who had only been released from prison a year before, was sent back to jail for re-offending.

To battle the life lows, Pickler was prescribed anti-depressants, but suffered severe side-effects, which left her "crazy".

The 22-year-old blonde tells People magazine, "Everything in my professional life seemed great. But, in my personal life, I was just crumbling. I was an emotional wreck."

Pickler has found happiness in 2008 through a new romance with songwriter Kyle Jacobs.

She says, "He makes me feel so good about being me."

And the pair are even thinking of starting a family in the future: "I've always wanted to adopt. I wouldn't do it right now. I definitely have to get my priorities together first."