According to an NBC News report, Selena Gomez has revealed her personal struggles with anxiety and depression. She accepted an award for favourite female artist in the pop/rock genre, given to her at the 2016 American Music Awards (AMA), held in Los Angeles, California. In her acceptance speech, the musician opened her heart and shared her struggles, hoping to encourage others.
Selena’s Story
Selena Gomez has struggled for years with lupus, a pernicious autoimmune disease. The mixed-race Italian-Mexican singer had to step out of the spotlight for a while in order to receive effective help for her anxiety and depression, related to her condition and to the pressures of her career. She was suffering from crippling panic attacks, so she spent some time in a rehabilitation facility due to the anxiety and her clinical depression. It was a shock for fans when she cancelled her remaining tour dates, left social media, and stopped producing new music for a while, in order to focus on her own mental health.
The Acceptance Speech
Gomez is on the road to recovery, and she had some honest words for her fans during her award acceptance speech.
“I had to stop, ’cause I had everything, and I was absolutely broken inside,” she said. She spoke of keeping it all together in front of her fans; but the effort required to do that was too much, and she felt as if she were letting herself down.
During her speech, she asked her fellow artists and her fans to stop focusing on their outward appearance so much. “I don’t want to see your bodies on Instagram. I want to see what’s in here,” she said, with her hand over her heart. “If you are broken, you don’t have to stay broken.”
Gomez also thanked her fans, who stuck with her and stayed loyal even while she disappeared from the limelight for a while in order to focus on her health. Her heartfelt acceptance speech left some in the AMA audience in tears and encouraged fans to share their own struggles and to express their support on social media.
Risk and Reward
There is a stigma surrounding poor mental health in Singapore , and that social stigma may be holding you back from taking the break that you need and getting the help you deserve. If you’re sinking in depression or fighting panic attacks, it’s time to stop being afraid of what others will think. This is your life, and you deserve to be healthy and happy. If that means visiting a psychiatrist in Singapore, or even entering a rehab facility as Gomez did, that may be the right step for you. Selena Gomez placed her entire career in jeopardy because she realized how important her mental and physical health was; and her dedication to her personal health and happiness yielded great rewards.
News Feed from Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic
Source: NBC News, 21 November, 2016
If you’re struggling in similar ways, visit Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic as soon as possible. We have some of the most kind, caring, highly trained psychiatrists in Singapore, and our counsellors and staff are ready to stand beside you and guide you back to mental health.