United Kingdom, Aug. 5 -- Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin has been struggling with "sadness and depression" amid a "stressful year".

The 77-year-old made the admission in a blog post on his website, as he noted that the last 12 months has "been overwhelming".

While he said there have been some "great things, exciting things" happening, there have also been massive lows and "nightmares' to live through, as he wrote: "I have lost friends. Battled sadness and depression. The worst may be yet to come.

"I turned seventy-seven last September, and I tell you, getting old is no fun.

George went on to the recall the "amazing times", as he added: "I suppose that's just life. Of course, I knew that. If you've read my stories, you know...