What do little me have in common with a whole bunch of celebrities? Well, let me tell you a little bit about me, and then I'll give you the answer.
Obviously we're all humans. And humans have their gains and their losses. Where these famous people have to stand in the flashlight of cameras, and get thoroughly investigated, I can live my life in a somewhat darker place.
And when it comes to problems, dark often seems to be a slightly better option. It's always better not to be judged for who you are, what you stand for, and all your faults.
Because humans have faults. I know I have many. And when it comes to faults, I've learned the hard way, also known as living life, that the only one responsible for my happiness is myself.
That's why, at the moment, I'm proud to be one, amongst celebrities, that struggles. I'm happy to tell the world that all of us are the same. Humans.
But also that I share a not so widely spoken diagnosis with Leann Rimes, Johnny Depp and Abraham Lincoln to name a few.
We all struggle with anxiety and panic attacks.
The reason I'm sharing this is -- believe it or not -- not to be mistaken for a celebrity, but to show that this struggle comes in all shapes and sizes, and it doesn't just go after those unknown people. Those with no money or no job. Those with unhealthy relationships. Those who are overweight. Those who use drugs or alcohol. Or those rich and famous.
Anxiety and depression along with panic attacks are very common, but not so much spoken about.
Most people will, during their lifetime, experience anxiety or depression, but this is not the diagnosis I talk about. I talk about where it affects your daily life for weeks and maybe years.
For me, it resulted in hospitalization, medicine and a total rearranging of my whole life. Cutting cords, and doing things that made me feel happy, instead of pleasing everyone else.
Without the support of my loved ones, it took, sadly, nearly four year of medicine before I had learned to live my life on my terms.
But looking back on it now, it's made me a better person.
And it's made me realize that I'm happy not to be a celebrity, and have to face those struggles with the camera lenses put up in my face.
Even though I have something in common with a celebrity.
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
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