The new Taylor Swift documentary, “Miss Americana,” has everyone talking as she opens up about hate, shame, anxiety, and an eating disorder that shrunk her to a size two. It reminds us that celebrities are human too. Anxiety isn’t a secret anymore, as many people discuss mental health openly — and celebrities are no different.
A survey by the Mental Health Foundation shows that roughly three million people suffer from anxiety, according to the latest Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. Here are seven influential celebrities who deal with anxiety and panic attacks — some may surprise you.
Thirty-year-old Taylor Swift has faced public criticism from a young age, being labeled as ‘too annoying,’ ‘too skinny,’ or ‘looking pregnant.’ How did this affect her? In her new documentary directed by Lana Wilson, Swift reveals she isolated herself for a year, thinking it was what people wanted.
Shutting oneself away to escape scrutiny is a feeling many understand. Swift, who seems confident and holds numerous awards, fooled many. But anxiety isn’t always visible. She previously mentioned battling anxiety in her romantic relationships, feeling constantly judged and needing to ‘deconstruct an entire belief system.’
Throughout her career, she felt pressured to be the ‘good girl,’ as expected by executives, leading her to starve herself and nearly faint during performances. This damaging cycle took a toll until she began opening up about it.
When introducing her song “Out of the Woods,” she admits feeling fragile and constantly fearing her past relationship wouldn’t last. This worry affected her confidence in the relationship’s stability. Her documentary, “Miss Americana,” airs in select theaters and on Netflix from January 31st.
Actress Sienna Miller revealed in Porter Edit magazine that she hasn’t engaged with social media for over two years due to anxiety. Many might dismiss celebrities’ anxiety issues as trends, but anxiety and depression are common. According to Anxiety UK, about 10 percent of the UK population will experience an anxiety disorder at some point.
Kendall Jenner has been open about her anxiety through interviews, social media, and “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Scouted as a model in her early teens, she faced severe abuse. In 2017, she filed a second restraining order against a man who had targeted her since she was three. Jenner admitted suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep paralysis, affecting her ability to sleep.
Sleep paralysis, occurring when a person is waking up or falling asleep, leaves them aware but unable to move or speak, which can be terrifying.
Singer Adele revealed her anxiety about performing live and managing panic attacks. She created an alter ego, Sasha Carter, inspired by Beyoncé and June Carter, to help her overcome this fear.
Kristen Bell, known for her role in “Frozen,” actively works to change attitudes toward mental health. She has shared her struggles with anxiety and depression openly, aiming to normalize seeking help for mental health issues.
Ryan Reynolds, known for his role as Deadpool, also battles anxiety. His rapid wit is, in part, a coping mechanism. Childhood experiences with a demanding father led Reynolds to overcompensate to maintain peace, contributing to his anxiety. Despite this, he attributes some of his humor and success to these early challenges.
Gina Rodriguez, star of “Jane the Virgin,” has shared her struggles with panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. She uses social media to discuss her mental health journey and battles with body acceptance due to a thyroid condition that affects her weight and energy levels. Rodriguez believes in the importance of openness to fight stigma, especially in the Latino community.