Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards has opened up about seeking support from therapists to help deal with her mental health, after candidly speaking about panick attacks and anxiety
Singer-songwriter Perrie Edwards has opened up about seeking support from therapists to help her deal with panic attacks. The Little Mix member spoke about her experience amid the news that she has taken on a new role.
Perrie, 31, has spoken candidly about experiencing anxiety and panic attacks, with her having raised awareness around mental health over the years. The BRIT Award winner has also previously discussed her experience with agoraphobia.
The X Factor winner has previously revealed that she “never” on her own due to her fear of having a fatal panic attack. She’s shared that her symptoms of panic attacks include eyesight issues and eventually difficulty breathing.
She has now spoken further about her experience, including sharing her thoughts on therapy. Perrie’s latest comments come amid the news that that she is now a celebrity ambassador for the mental health charity Mind.
Whilst speaking to Metro over the news, Perrie gave an update on her own mental health. She told the outlet that she is “trying to be at peace” with her anxiety and its physical symptoms, rather than fearing potential panic attacks.
She added that she has “tried everything,” sharing that she has tried “all different kinds” of therapy. Perrie then gave an insight into some of her experiences with therapists, including revealing that she has taken a therapist to work with her.
The singer shared with the outlet that therapists have tried to coach her on strategies for dealing with panic attacks in the past. She however suggested that “everything goes out the window” when she actually experiences one.
Perrie shared: “Last year, maybe in September, I started to take my therapist to work with me, which I know is a very privileged situation.” She added in the interview that she’s aware that many people don’t even have a therapist.
She said that she wanted to “make the most of it” though. Perrie explained that she decided to take her therapist to work with her each day and get them to coach her through any panic attack “there and then” in the moment itself.
Sharing her thoughts on the decision, Perrie told the outlet in the interview, which was published earlier today: “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.” She went on to add that she now wishes that she had done it sooner.
Perrie’s comments come just weeks after she was seen discussing her experience with panic attacks on the Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend. She was the guest for the first episode of the BBC show, which was released last month.
Speaking to host Alison Hammond, she said: “I’ve developed panic disorder, so it’s the fear of having a panic attack.” She explained that she developed that fear after she started suffering from “severe” panic attacks a few years ago.
Perrie shared: “So I was like if I’m on my own and I have a panic attack I might die and nobody will be here to help.” Providing an insight into the impact that has on her life, she went on to say: “So that’s why I’m never on my own.”
Later in the episode, she told Alison that her first panic attack occurred after she had an over-the-counter caffeine shot during a trip to Las Vegas with her bandmates from Little Mix some years ago. Perrie said: “I honestly thought I was having a heart attack from whatever was in [it].”
She recalled “pacing” around her room and having panic attacks, sharing that she ended up in hospital. Perrie added: “After that incident I just kept having them like again and again.” She suggested that the experience had been a “trigger” and said her anxiety was then “through the roof”.
Asked about the signs of a panic attack, she said: “My arms go limp. My legs go limp. And then my eyesight starts to go. And then I can’t see anything. And then my heart starts racing and then I just can’t breathe. And I just feel like I’m gonna die so I start freaking out.”
If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email [email protected]
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