Selena Gomez says working with therapists helped her beat anxiety and depression

Selena Gomez reveals that she has been seeing therapists for over six years now. She says therapy, the right medication and support from people who believed in her changed her life completely.

By: Longjam Dineshwori | | Updated: December 9, 2020 9:40 am

Selena Gomez says she started working with therapists to deal with her mental health issues in her early 20s.

Pop star Selena Gomez – who was previously diagnosed with anxiety and depression – says talking about mental health is freeing and she is determined to normalise conversations about mental health issues. Also Read - Sleep well to regulate your mood and ward off anxiety

Speaking at the virtual Teen Vogue Summit, the 28-year-old singer said that she is a huge advocate for therapy, and she thinks working with therapists helped transformed her life, reports femalefirst.co.uk Also Read - Women with PTSD and depression are at high risk of dying: 5 exercises to ease depression

“I think it’s less scary when you talk about it. So, that’s some sense of freedom that I gained once I did. I think I had a moment where I felt different, like, ‘Why do I react this way?’ ‘Why do I feel the way I do and nobody else does?’ and I had to figure that out,” Gomez said at the Summit Also Read - Childhood depression: Understand the symptoms, help your child

According to the singer, she started working with therapists in her early 20s.

“I’m a huge advocate for therapy … I think it’s such a normal thing, especially nowadays there’s no way that people aren’t feeling a certain way, whether they’re figuring that out on their own or not, we all need each other,” she was quoted as saying.

At the same time, Gomez thinks it’s equally important to surround “yourself with people who are the ones that are challenging you, the ones that are believing in you.”

The right medication and support changed her life

The “Lose You To Love Me” singer divulged more about her mental health journey in an interview with the WSJ Magazine. She said the pressure of a frantic work schedule, the Hollywood partying scene, plus flare-ups of her autoimmune disease, all contributed to worsening her symptoms of anxiety and depression. Gomez had in the past spoken up about her lupus diagnosis.

“My highs were really high, and my lows would take me out for weeks at a time,” she recalled.

She also disclosed in the interview that she has been seeing therapists for over six years now. “I found out I do suffer from mental health issues. And, honestly, that was such a relief,” she told WSJ Magazine.

“I realized that there was a way to get help and to find people that you trust. I got on the right medication, and my life has been completely changed,” elaborated Gomez.

Tips to help you cope with depression

Along with therapy and medication, you can do a lot of things on your own to fight depression. Here are some tips to deal with the mood disorder and help you feel better.

Stay connected

If you’re feeling depressed, try to stay in touch with the people who matter to you and who you can trust, friends or family members. They can make you feel valued, help you cope with the condition and support you when you feel low. Also socialise by taking part in social activities as it can improve your mood.

Exercise regularly

Studies say exercise promote nerve cell growth in the hippocampus, and improve nerve cell connections, which helps relieve anxiety/depression and lift your mood.

Overcome Fear

When you’re depressed, you may want to isolate yourself and avoid the things you find difficult. But avoiding is not the solution. Learn to face these situations and it can help you come out of depression.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

If you drink, cut down on your alcohol consumption. Many think drinking helps cope with their emotions. But alcohol could actually make you feel more depressed.

Eat Healthy

Depression can either make people eat less or more. Therefore, changing your diet may help you feel better. Experts say healthy diets, particularly those rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains, could help ease depression.

Studies have suggested that foods with omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon and tuna) and folic acid (such as spinach and avocado) may benefit people struggling with depression.

Published : December 8, 2020 1:36 pm | Updated:December 9, 2020 9:40 am

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