Smiling again: Kirsten Dunst, pictured here in New York earlier this week, says she checked into rehab to treat depression earlier this year

Spider-Man star Kirsten Dunst says she checked into rehab earlier this year to treat depression, not an addiction to drugs and alcohol.

The 26-year-old spent time at the Cirque Lodge Treatment Center in Utah in February - a facility frequented by a host of celebrities including Lindsay Lohan, Eva Mendes and Richie Sambora.

Dunst is now denying speculation her party-loving lifestyle was to blame.

She told E! Online: ‘I didn't go to Cirque Lodge for alcohol abuse or drug abuse. I went there for depression.’

‘I was struggling and I had the opportunity to go somewhere and take care of myself. I was fortunate to have the resources to do it.’

Her decision to seek help followed the breakdown of her relationship with Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell.

The pair split in August after an intense six-month relationship, with a source saying it was the catalyst for her downward spiral.

A source told the Mail Online at the time: ‘Johnny flatly told her he was heading back to London and didn't want to see her or talk to her anymore. Kirsten took this really hard, was emotionally devastated, and stayed inside for days, crying.’

Dunst added: 'My friends and family thought it was a good idea, but I didn't know where to go. My doctor recommended Cirque Lodge.'

Asked why she had suddenly decided to open up about her struggles, Dunst said she now felt stronger and thought depression was a serious issue.

The actress is now back at work, and  is currently shooting her new film All Good Things with Ryan Gosling in New York.