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The young and the anxious

When anxiety gets the better of popular singers

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They’re global superstars — these international singers — with armies of fans. You’d think they were invincible and invulnerable to the vagaries of life. But a condition like anxiety catches up with even the best of them, with most cancelling their live shows to deal with the situation, the latest one being Zayn Malik, who has cancelled for the second time this year.

Causes

Clinical psychologist Seema Hingorrany believes that the root of some of the problems usually lies in a deep-seated stage fright. She says, “Many singers do suffer from anxiety issues which stems from the fear to perform and pressure to do well on stage. Many already have childhood stage fright, which excaberates with performing in front of large number of crowds.” However, she does admit there could be other reasons.  “Also, a lot of money is riding on their shows, pressure to entertain the crowds all the time also worsens these fears causing further anxiety,” she adds.

Remedies

Hingorrany states that, generally, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy are used, which are scientific modules to cure anxiety disorders. Relaxation techniques and meditation help Medication is required in some cases.

Case Study

She recounts the case of one of her patients — a singer — who would feel very nervous whenever she gave a live performance. “She had childhood stage fright and felt judged by others. I treated her step-by-step covering all her past events and memories where she felt anxious and nervous.This was supplemented by giving her meditation techniques and breathing techniques. In eight months, she could give her first solo performance without any trace of anxiety,” she says.

As one might imagine, psychological intervention at the right time, usually does a world of good. As does talking about the problem. Following are the names crippled by anxiety and were vocal about battling the condition

CAMILA CABELLO

PAST: All-girl US band Fifth Harmony is on top of their game at the moment, with award wins and strongly-attended live shows. Their solid collaborations have made them even more popular with a wide range of fans. But this gorgeous singer recently pulled a Zayn.

PRESENT: As late as September 2, Camilla exited 5H’s live performance in St Louis, Missouri, mid-way due to anxiety. She later apologised to her fans on Snapchat after the show, by writing, “Hi Missouri, sorry I couldn’t finish the set last night. Was having too much anxiety and couldn’t finish it. I love you. I’m truly sorry.” The 19-year-old did speak up a little earlier, saying, “I was having terrible anxiety, nonstop. My heart would beat really fast the whole day. Two hours after I woke up, I’d need a nap because my body was so hyperactive... It was so f***ed up. I was scared of what would happen to me, of the things my brain might tell me.” 

NOW: Cabello has been learning to deal with her anxiety, revealing, “I realised the stuff I thought was important isn’t worth my health. Now I write in a diary every day, work out and meditate.”

SELENA GOMEZ

PAST: The Disney star graduated to a flourishing music career and a superstar boyfriend, all the while, pushing out chart-busting music. However, she has been struggling with anxiety, depression and panic attacks after being diagnosed with Lupus disease.

PRESENT: Just last month, this popstar cancelled the remainder of her Revival World Tour, which began in May and was to conclude by December 2016. Selena also cancelled her upcoming performances in Canada, and will be taking some time off to recuperate from anxiety, panic attacks and depression, resulting from Lupus.

NOW: She told People magazine, “I’ve discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges. I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off. I know I am not alone by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues.”

ZAYN MALIK

PAST: He quit the world’s biggest boy band One Direction in 2015 to embark on a solo career. His first album Mind of Mine (out in March this year) did reasonably well. Also, dating supermodel Gigi Hadid upped his hotness quotient further. 

PRESENT: In June, the 23-year-old pulled out of the Capital Summertime Ball in London at the last minute. He posted on Instagram: “Unfortunately my anxiety that has haunted me throughout the last few months around live performances has gotten the better of me. ‘With the magnitude of the event, I have suffered the worst anxiety of my career. I know those who suffer anxiety will understand and I hope those who don’t, can empathise with my situation.”

NOW: It clearly looks like Zayn hasn’t been coping well. Less than two weeks ago, he decided to cancel his show scheduled for next month in Dubai. Despite working hard to overcome his problems he doesn’t feel “sufficiently confident” to take to the stage for the show. Countless fans are highly dissapointed and to add salt to the injury, Zayn has also been trolled for it on Twitter.

ADELE

PAST: She’s one of the one most prolific singers in recent times and a global superstar. However, even this songstress fell prey to anxiety. Around five years ago, The Someone Like You hitmaker declined headlining Glastonbury festival. “I have anxiety attacks, constant panicking on stage, my heart feels like it’s going to explode because I never feel like I’m going to deliver, ever.’ ‘I will not do festivals. The thought of an audience that big frightens the life out of me. I don’t think the music would work either. It’s all too slow. I’d hate to book a festival and have a ******* anxiety attack and then not go on stage,” she told a magazine.
“I’m scared of audiences,” she said. “One show in Amsterdam, I was so nervous, I escaped out the fire exit. I’ve thrown up a couple of times. Once in Brussels, I projectile vomited on someone. I just gotta bear it. But I don’t like touring. I have anxiety attacks a lot,” she was quoted as saying in the past.

PRESENT: A few months ago, Adele gave a live on-stage performance overcoming her anxiety, after a hiatus of three years, where she had taken time off to recover from her throat surgery and focus on motherhood. Adele has not shied away from admitting that she suffered from severe anxiety attacks which limit her ability to perform in large arenas.

NOW: It’s not as pronounced as before, though one still sees traces of the condition, but she’s dealing with it much better. Like she did when she forgot the lyrics to her own song while belting it out in Lisbon, Portugal this May and then swearing onstage when she realised her mistake. The show continued.

LADY GAGA

PAST: It was Poker Face that launched her career. But there’s no denying that the self-styled, say-it-like-it-is Mother Monster has had her fair shares of anxiety attacks. It’s been three years since Lady Gaga released her last album, Artpop. She took this hiatus to take a break from the spotlight and recover on the mental health front.

PRESENT: However, while she has had these attacks, she hasn’t let it affect her acting and singing careers, making appearances and doing  live acts to great applause.

NOW: The 30-year-old has been open about her struggles and a few weeks ago, released a single Perfect Illusion, and said that she felt ‘good’ after her break and added that she is taking medications for depression. “I openly admit to having battled depression and anxiety and I think a lot of people do. I think it’s better when we all say ‘Cheers!’ and ’fess up to it,’” she was quoted as saying.

LANA DEL REY

PAST: In her earlier avatar as Lizzy Grant, she had a nondescript career. But as Lana Del Rey, this rumoured heiress has had a string of chartbusting hits to her name. 

PRESENT: She is no stranger to cancellations. She cancelled her European tour in 2014 over ‘sickness’ and in 2015, she cancelled the Dallas, Texas leg of her tour over weather concerns. But none over anxiety.

In an interview to Billboard last October, she said she struggled to deal with topics like death and had a morbid fear of sharks. And that she has sought professional help.

“It’s hard for me sometimes to think about going on when I know we’re going to die. Something happened in the last three years, with my panic…It got worse. But I’ve always been prone to it.”

NOW: She has told the magazine, “I saw a therapist – three times. But I’m really most comfortable sitting in that chair in the studio, writing or singing.”

MILEY CYRUS

PAST: This troubled celebrity is no stranger to anxiety. The former child star claimed that filming for Hannah Montana caused her anxiety attacks and gave her body dysmorphia. “I would have anxiety attacks. I’d get hot flashes, feel like I was about to pass up or throw up. It would happen a lot before shows, and I’d have to cancel. Then the anxiety started coming from anxiety,” she told Marie Claire.

In 2014, Miley confessed about her anxiety, owing to breakup with fiance (then on-off boyfriend) Liam Hemsworth and that she struggled with depression as well. “When I went through a really intense breakup — you know, I was engaged,’ ‘and when I was with (Liam) or when I was on Disney, the thing that gave me the most anxiety was not knowing what to do with myself when Disney wasn’t there to carry me anymore or if I didn’t have him,” she said.

PRESENT: She recently cancelled her honeymoon in Bora Bora with fiancé Liam. 

NOW: Since the outspoken singer has been so vocal about her anxieties in the past, we’re guessing it will be some time before she addresses the problem again at length.

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