The new Taylor Swift documentary, “Miss Americana,” has everyone talking as she opens up about her struggles with hate, shame, anxiety, and an eating disorder that caused her to shrink down to a size two. Yes, celebrities are humans too, just like the rest of us.
Anxiety is something more and more people are discussing openly, and celebrities are no different. A survey by the Mental Health Foundation shows that around three million people suffer from anxiety, as per the latest Psychiatric Morbidity Survey.
Here are some influential celebrities struggling with anxiety and panic attacks, some of which might surprise you:
Taylor Swift, now 30, has faced a lot of public scrutiny from a young age, whether it’s being too annoying, too skinny, or even looking pregnant. Her new documentary, “Miss Americana,” reveals how she coped with this attention.
In the documentary, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Swift admits to isolating herself for a year, thinking that was what people wanted. Despite her confident public persona and numerous awards, she battled anxiety, particularly about her appearance and constantly trying to gain respect. She often starved herself and felt like fainting during performances due to the pressure to be the perfect ‘good girl.’
Swift describes her anxieties about her career and her fear of never being enough. This pressure led her to destructive behaviors, including extreme dieting. Her documentary sheds light on these struggles and how it affected her mental health.
Another celebrity, Sienna Miller, revealed she hasn’t used social media for over two years due to the anxiety it causes. It’s easy to dismiss celebrities’ mental health issues, but anxiety and depression are widespread, affecting around 10 percent of the UK population at some point in their lives. A study shows that one in six adults in Great Britain experiences some form of neurotic health problem weekly.
Model Kendall Jenner has also been open about her battle with anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep paralysis. She’s faced significant public scrutiny since her teens. In 2017, she had to get a restraining order against a man who had been obsessing over her since she was three years old.
Adele, who broke into mainstream music at 20, also struggles with anxiety, particularly around performing live. She created an alter ego, Sasha Carter, inspired by Beyoncé and June Carter, to help her manage her anxiety on stage.
Kristen Bell, known for her role in “Frozen,” has actively spoken about her anxiety, aiming to break the illusion of celebrity perfection. She is the most vocal advocate for mental health on this list, openly sharing her struggles and coping mechanisms, including CBD lotion, to help manage her condition.
Ryan Reynolds, known for his role in “Deadpool,” also deals with anxiety despite his public fun-loving persona. He often stays in character to manage his anxious feelings. His anxiety stems from a complicated relationship with his father, leading him to develop his rapid-fire wit as a coping mechanism.
Gina Rodriguez, famous for “Jane the Virgin,” has been candid about her panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. She shared her journey openly on social media to fight the stigma around mental health, especially in the Latino community. She has also spoken about her struggles with body acceptance due to a thyroid condition causing weight gain and chronic fatigue.
These celebrities show that anxiety can affect anyone, regardless of their success or public image. Opening up about their experiences helps reduce the stigma and encourages others to seek help for their mental health struggles.
