The new Taylor Swift documentary, Miss Americana, has people talking as she opens up about her struggles with hate, shame, anxiety, and an eating disorder that brought her down to a size two. Just like us, celebrities face these issues too. Anxiety is a common topic nowadays, with a lot of people, including celebrities, discussing their mental health.
A survey by the Mental Health Foundation shows that about three million people suffer from anxiety according to the latest data. Here are seven well-known celebrities who cope with anxiety and panic attacks, and some of them might surprise you.
Thirty-year-old Taylor Swift has been under public scrutiny for years, facing criticism for being ‘too annoying,’ ‘too skinny,’ or even rumors of pregnancy. But how has this affected her? In her new documentary directed by Lana Wilson, which premiered on January 23rd at the Sundance Film Festival, she shares that she took a year off from public view because she thought that’s what people wanted.
We can all relate to the feeling of wanting to retreat from the world. Despite her confident public persona and winning at least twenty-one awards, Swift reveals how deeply anxiety has impacted her. She mentions feeling like she had to constantly prove herself to gain people’s respect and had to dismantle an ingrained belief system.
Throughout her career, she felt pressured to maintain the ‘good girl’ image, enforced by executives who believed a ‘nice girl doesn’t impose her opinions on others.’ This relentless pressure led her to extreme dieting and near fainting during performances. Swift felt the need to conform to everyone’s expectations, which eventually took a toll on her.
In the documentary’s release, she introduces her song ‘Out of the Woods,’ reflecting on how fragile her feelings were about her relationship’s stability. Swift expressed continuous fears about the future of her relationship, questioning how long it would last before turning into a mess.
Miss Americana will be available in select theaters and on Netflix from January 31st.
Actress Sienna Miller, known for her roles in Stardust and Layer Cake, revealed in a recent interview with Porter Edit magazine that she hasn’t used social media for over two years due to the anxiety it causes her. Miller expressed her discomfort with opening up her personal life to the public, which triggers significant anxiety.
When celebrities talk about their anxiety, it’s easy to dismiss their experiences as trendy. However, anxiety and depression are common and affect people indiscriminately. According to Anxiety UK, around 10 percent of the UK population will experience some form of anxiety disorder in their lifetime. One in six adults reported experiencing a neurotic health problem in the past week.
There are many factors leading to anxiety disorders, making it clear how pervasive this issue is across various demographics.
Model Kendall Jenner has spoken openly about her anxiety in interviews, on social media, and on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Scouted at a young age, Jenner has faced significant abuse and admitted to experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep paralysis, which has in turn created a fear of falling asleep.
Sleep paralysis occurs when someone is awake but unable to move or speak, sometimes accompanied by hallucinations. Although not harmful, it can be terrifying. Only about 8 percent of people report having experienced it.
Singer Adele has also been open about her struggles with anxiety, particularly regarding performing live due to the fear of panic attacks. She overcame these fears with the help of her alter ego, Sasha Carter, inspired by Beyoncé and June Carter, which has significantly helped her.
Actress Kristen Bell is a vocal advocate for mental health, having written about her experiences with anxiety and the stigma surrounding it. She has been candid about her struggles in interviews and on social media, where she offers her tips and coping mechanisms, including the use of CBD lotion.
Ryan Reynolds, known for his role as Deadpool, has also shared his experiences with anxiety. He stays in character during interviews and on set to manage his anxiety. Reynolds attributes some of his anxiety to his childhood and his relationship with his father, yet he also credits his father for his sense of humor.
Actress Gina Rodriguez from Jane the Virgin has discussed her battles with panic attacks and thoughts of suicide. She first spoke out about her struggles on Instagram in 2017 and uses her platform to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly in the Latino community. Rodriguez also deals with body acceptance issues due to a thyroid condition that causes weight gain and chronic fatigue.
It’s clear that anxiety affects many, regardless of their status, and sharing these experiences helps raise awareness and understanding.
