Celebrities Share Their Anxiety Stories And How They Cope
Just because celebrities are famous doesn't mean they're different from the non-famous. They too have to take on the struggles of life. Because of this, they have emplored personal techniques on how to deal with one of life's biggest obstacles, anxiety. From Kristen Bell to Oprah, read along and find out how your favorite star handles the pressures of anxiety and other life stressors. Their advice could be what you need to know.
Demi Wants More Conversation
Former Disney star and hit artist Demi Lovato has been very outspoken on mental health. Having checked into a rehabilitation facility to help manage her struggle with substance abuse, anxiety, and an eating disorder; she's become comfortable with the topic and using her voice to raise awareness.
Her focus is talking more and having empathy for others. “I think the more people vocalize what they’re going through — that’s going to be the key to creating a conversation about mental illness and making it more understood," Lovato said.
J-Law Likes To Think Outside The Box
Jennifer Lawrence became a household name after her breakout role as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. She seemed invincible on screen and able to face any challenge. In reality, she has struggled with anxiety but came up with a creative way to cope with it.
"I find a certain peace by thinking of me in public as sort of an avatar self," Lawrence explains. "You out there can have the avatar me. I can keep me. And I just try to acknowledge that this scrutiny is stressful and that anyone would find it stressful. So I’ve got to try to let it go." This Marvel star up next wants to thank a very special person close to him.
Ryan Reynolds Has His Wife To Thank
Actor Ryan Reynolds has a reputation for not holding back. He speaks his mind, and that's why he plays such a great Deadpool character in the movies. In 2017, Reynolds talked to Variety about his feelings on anxiety. Like most, he hates it, but it's what gets him through it that's amazing.
Reynolds talked about not being able to sleep. He described how he couldn't stop working and the expectations of the film about to get released ate him alive. "Blake helped me through that," he said. "I’m lucky to have her around just to keep me sane." One of the perks of having a fantastic partner.
Adele Unleashes Her Funny Side
Judging by how lively and joyous Adele appears on TV; you would never suspect the anxiety battles she's gone through in her life. Shockingly, Beyoncé is one of the reasons she's had an anxiety attack. "I was about to meet Beyoncé, and I had a full-blown anxiety attack,” she said in a 2011 Rolling Stone interview.
The main reason she has attacks is that she never feels like she's going to deliver. The phrase, "with great power comes great responsibility" comes to mind. "When I get nervous, I try to bust jokes," Adele said. "It does work."
Bell Says The Medication Helps Her
Kristen Bell's family history includes serotonin imbalance. Because of this, she isn't the only one in her family that deals with anxiety and depression. This is a struggle that she hid for the first 15 years of her career. Recently she chose to speak up about mental health and shares the tips that help her cope.
Bell relies on medication and has been taking prescriptions for her anxiety and depression since she was young. “I still take it today, and I have no shame in that because my mom had said to me, ‘If you start to feel this way, talk to your doctor, talk to a psychologist, see how you want to help yourself,” Bell said. See how Oprah gets a hold of the situation before it controls her next.
Oprah Realizes Sooner Rather Than Later
Oprah Winfrey is one of the most influential people on the planet. She is adored by fans and those who don't follow still have a high level of respect for her. Winfrey revealed in an interview with Jason Russell that she struggles with anxiety. She found that she had anxiety when she would try to take on too heavy of a workload.
“In the beginning, it was just sort of speeding and a kind of numbness and going from one thing to the next thing to the next thing," Winfrey said. "I will tell you when I realized that I thought, ‘All right, if I don’t calm down I’m gonna be in serious trouble." The key here is knowing and doing your best to put a lid on it before it takes over.
Stone Leans On Acting
Emma Stone is a veteran actress that has multiple Golden Globes nominations. Someone with a smile you won't forget, Stone uses her talents to assist with the panic attacks that fall upon her. This is similar to how athletes leave all their problems off the field and focus on the game.
"There’s something about the immediacy of acting," she said in a 2015 interview. "You can’t afford to think about a million other things. You have to think about the task at hand. Acting forces me to sort of be like a Zen master: What is happening right in this moment?"
Gaga Knows Her Limits
Lady Gaga is a pop superstar who has voiced her opinions from the start of her career. Like many people, she's also acknowledged that she needs to put attention on mental health. The key to her triumph over anxiety is knowing when to tap-out. Gaga puts herself first when she recognizes she needs self-care.
“I started to say no," she said. "I'm not doing that. I don't want to do that. I'm not taking that picture; I'm not going to that event, I'm not standing by that because that's not what I stand for. And slowly but surely, I remembered who I am."
The Man On The Moon, Kid Cudi Opens Up
Actor-musician Kid Cudi has had a long battle with mental health issues including anxiety. He touches on his woes in his music, but only gives a surface explanation. In 2016, Cudi took to Facebook and opened up like never before. The biggest takeaway was his plan to combat these issues.
"Ashamed to be a leader and hero to so many while admitting I've been living a lie," Cudi wrote. "Yesterday I checked myself into rehab for depression and suicidal urges. I am not at peace. I haven't been since you've known me. If I didn't come here, I would've done something to myself." The message: Don't wait to seek the help you need.
Stewart Stays Confident
Best known for her role in the Twilight film series, Kristen Stewart is no stranger to anxiety attacks. She's been experiencing them since she was a teenager. "Between ages 15 and 20, it was really intense," Stewart admitted. "I was constantly anxious."
You can imagine that after putting up with something that bad for so long, someone might figure out their strategy on defeating it. “I obviously hope everything going on right now will work out, but I am confident that life is good and I'll be OK whatever happens." Stewart overcomes the struggles by keeping confident.
Rimes Takes Time For Herself
LeAnn Rimes deals with her situation similar to another musician on this list. The country-pop star has a dozen Grammys to her name and a case of anxiety and stress. In 2012, she discussed her ways of alleviating these ailments.
"This is just a time for me to emotionally check out for a second and take care of myself and come back in 30 days as the best 30-year-old woman I can be," she said. Checking yourself in for treatment is sometimes the best formula for success.
Good Morning America's Dan Harris Believes In Meditation
In 2004, co-anchor of ABC's Nightline and a weekend correspondent on Good Morning America had a panic attack on air. Ten years after what must have been a moment he wishes he could forget, Dan Harris wrote a book about his anxiety battle.
The book is called 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge and Found Self-Help That Actually Works. In the book, he says that "meditation is a doable, realistic, scientifically researched way to get significantly happier, calmer, and nicer."
Kendall Isn't A Fan Of Flying, Here's How She Copes
Kendall Jenner makes regular appearances on Keeping Up with The Kardashians. She and her sisters often talk about the issues they are having. Jenner revealed, “I don’t know what to do as I am freaking out about even flying home. It is so weird as I get like super light headed when I am on planes, and I feel like I am going to faint.”
Jenner sought out therapy, but those efforts were fruitless. She ended up turning to mediation to help fix these issues.
Silverman Says It'll Pass
Saturday Night Live fans know Sarah Silverman well. The comedian also has her show on Comedy Central. Silverman has openly told her fans about the struggles she's faced. She acknowledges that there are better things in life that can help you.
"The tough times, the days when you're just a ball on the floor—they'll pass," Silverman said. "You're playing the long game, and life is totally worth it. If you ever experience it, or are experiencing it right now, just know that on the other side, the little joys in life will be that much sweeter."
Amanda Seyfried Found Her Fix And Won't Stop
Amanda Seyfried from Twin Peaks opened up about her struggles with anxiety back in 2016. In many cases, when someone opens up, it's usually around the time they initiate the recovery process. On the contrary, Seyfried began her healing process when she was 19.
“I’m on Lexapro, and I’ll never get off of it,” the actress said. “I’ve been on it since I was 19, so 11 years. I’m on the lowest dose. I don’t see the point of getting off of it. Whether it’s placebo or not, I don’t want to risk it."
Lena Dunham Faced Her Fears
Imagine dealing with anxiety since you were a child. That is an experience no one should have to go through, let alone a kid. Lena Dunham, unfortunately, has dealt with this issue since then. She had to face her fears from a young age.
In 2014, she talked about how she's been going to therapy since childhood. Body acceptance was one of her most concerning issues fueling the anxiety. "You know, it gets easier and easier," the Girls actresses said. "My fears came true: people called me fat and hideous, and I lived. And now I keep living."
J. Cole Sends A Message
Artist J. Cole's 2018 project KOD broke the Spotify and Apple Music 24-hour streaming record on its first-day of release. And for a good reason, too. KOD had several meanings, but the main one was "Kids on Drugs." The album's theme was how people (young kids especially) turn to drugs for every problem they encounter.
Cole's goal was to help provide solutions for these issues as he also talked about his battles with depression and anxiety. On track number ten "FRIENDS," Cole raps, "I understand this message is not the coolest to say, but if you're down to try it, I know a better way. Meditate." It looks like Cole is on the meditation train as well.
Benson Uses a Meditation App
Known as Hanna Marin from Pretty Little Liars, Ashley Benson used to have panic attacks on set. Like a few of the others on this list, she used to manage these attacks with medication. Medication was fine until she realized solutions that were better suited to help her out.
“I was on Xanax for a long time. It helped, but I decided I was going to be able to self-medicate through meditation, working out, sleeping, eating healthy and drinking more water," Benson said. "I have this meditation app on my phone. I use it at least three times a week.”
Solo Success Doesn't Mean He's Escaped
From One Direction to a solo act, Zayn Malik still gets burden with anxiety. Malik has been honest and open about his fear of big crowds and the anxiety he still faces. Sometimes his stress is so bad, Malik knows he has to cancel a show.
“I don’t want to say I’m sick," he writes. "I want to tell people what’s going on, and I’m not gonna be ashamed of what’s happening. Anxiety is nothing to be ashamed of; it affects millions of people every day." By talking about his troubles and refusing to run anymore, he's taking the correct steps in combating his issues.
Khloe Relies On The Gym
Like her younger sister Kendall, Khloe Kardashian also has to deal with anxiety. Based on her 2018 struggles with boyfriend Tristian Thompson, she had to deal with a ton of stress. How does the Kardashian sister resolve these problems?
"I promise you, the gym has taken away so much of my stress," she said. "It has helped calm me down. When I'm fidgety, and I just feel like everything is closing in, I go to the gym."
