Zoella Opens Up About Her Struggles With Anxiety: 'I Have Days Where I Don't Want To Leave My Bed'
Zoella Opens Up About Her Struggles With Anxiety
Rachel Moss— The Huffington Post UK
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At first glance, beauty and lifestyle vlogger Zoella has the perfect life.
The 25-year-old, whose real name is Zoe Sugg, shot to fame thanks to her beauty tutorials and now has more than 9.1 million subscribers on YouTube and 3.7 million followers on Twitter.
But the star wants her young fans to know that you can't always see what goes on behind closed doors.
Zoella suffers from anxiety, a mental health issue that can affect anyone, whether they are famous or not.
"Not everything is perfect… Sometimes I have days where I don't want to leave my bed, or I'll have multiple panic attacks."
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The YouTube star went on to reveal she began to film herself putting on makeup because she was seeking a distraction from her anxiety. She described the process of creating a video diary as "comforting".
Despite being famous around the world, travelling is something that continues to worry Zoella.
"It was only when things started happening. ‘You’ve been invited to an event in London - hop on the train!’ That’s out of my comfort zone," she added.
This isn't the first time the vlogger has shared her experiences of anxiety with her fans.
Are you sleeping six or eight hours? Or are you tossing and turning every night with worry? If your sleep is accompanied by respiratory problems like snoring, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness or daytime sleepiness, talk to your doctor about anxiety, says Dr. Prakash Masand, a psychiatrist and president of Global Medical Education based in New York City. (credit:LWA via Getty Images)
Stressed Out (02 of10)
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If you're constantly feeling stressed out about your work life, family life or personal life, it may be a symptom of anxiety. Experts say if your stress is long-term, it could leave you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. (credit:Jetta Productions via Getty Images)
Burned Out (03 of10)
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Not only are you stressed out, but your body also feels like it is burning out and shutting down. Masand says if you feel overworked and it is continuously getting in the way of your day-to-day functioning, it could be anxiety. (credit:Sam Edwards via Getty Images)
If you experience stomach knots or upset stomachs that are sudden, it could be another symptom of anxiety. Masand says if your stomach difficulties are also followed by diarrhea, severe constipation, nausea or vomiting, speak to your doctor to rule out other medical conditions. (credit:Piotr Marcinski via Getty Images)
Chest Tightness (06 of10)
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Masand says you should also be mindful of chest tightening and other symptoms related to breathing and your heart. This may include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, pressure or fullness in the centre of the chest and/or a radiating chest, arms or back pain. If you have these associated symptoms, you need to seek emergency care immediately. (credit:laflor via Getty Images)
Headaches (07 of10)
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You may get a headache from time to time depending on your workflow or sleep routine, but Masand says if your headaches are common and also include weakness, dizziness or loss of sensation, talk to your doctor about getting diagnosed. (credit:Colin Hawkins via Getty Images)
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where people experience unexpected and repeated panic attacks from time to time, according to Anxiety BC. Masand says this psychological symptom can also include being worried, scared or irritable. (credit:Compassionate Eye Foundation/David Oxberry/OJO Images Ltd via Getty Images)