Perrie Edwards has revealed she battles with anxiety in an emotional Instagram post, in which she reminded other sufferers that they are “not alone”.
In a lengthy caption, the Little Mix singer shared her own experience with the debilitating feeling and recalled the first time she had an anxiety attack she felt as if she were having a heart attack.
Beginning her post explaining that she’d like to “open up about something” because “venting your feelings is healthy,” the singer said: “Over the past few years I have suffered really badly with anxiety and panic attacks.
“When I first started to feel the effects of anxiety I thought I was losing my mind and it terrified me. I felt so alone and like I was the first person in the world to ever experience it.”
According to the 25-year-old, she does not know what triggered her first panic attack, but remembers feeling “alone and scared” and unable to explain what was happening or how she felt to the people around her.
“It affected me so badly that I didn’t even want to leave the house,” she wrote.
Fortunately, Edwards was able to find methods of coping with her anxiety, including realising that she was not alone, going to therapy, and surrounding herself with loved ones.
She also revealed that she restricted her time on social media, as it often made her feel “trapped and claustrophobic.”
According to the singer, who acknowledged that her anxiety still lives on and “probably always will,” these methods have allowed her to take control of her life - while accepting what she “couldn’t control”.
Edwards concluded her post admitting that she doesn’t want to hide anymore, and reminding others that they are not alone.
Since sharing her experience, the singer’s post has been liked more than 490,000 times, and received hundreds of comments from fans praising her for her honesty.
“This is such an important topic I’m so glad you’re speaking up about it,” one person wrote.
Another said: “Thank you for sharing this. It really helps knowing that we’re not alone with stuff like that. I’m proud of you and to call you my idol.”
According to Anxiety UK, one in six people in the UK will experience a common mental health disorder each year.
For more information or resources for dealing with anxiety, you can go here.
