Little Mix popstar Perrie Edwards has revealed her mental health struggles in a candid, super honest update.
The singer took to Instagram to open up to her fans on Wednesday, explaining that she'd been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks in recent years.
She added that venting was healthy, and wanted to be honest with her huge fan base.
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"Over the past few years I have suffered really badly with anxiety and panic attacks. When I first started to feel the effects of anxiety I thought I was losing my mind and it terrified me. I felt so alone and like I was the first person in the world to ever experience it," wrote Perrie, making a confession that loads of people would be able to relate to.
She continued: "The first panic attack was so intense and overwhelming I felt like I was having a heart attack, I was so scared and confused and had no idea what was happening to me. I'm not sure what triggered that first one but it soon spiralled & I found myself in a really dark place, feeling alone and scared.
"I had people around me but I couldn't explain to them what was happening to me or why. It affected me so badly that I didn't even want to leave the house. I would step foot out the door and feel the overwhelming need to go straight back inside. It completely took over my life."
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Perrie went on to explain that she'd managed to overcome her panic attacks, but still lives with anxiety - something she's accepted she will probably always struggle with.
The Little Mix star added: "I've had a relationship with my mind for 25 years now, so to feel it working against me sometimes makes me feel like a prisoner in my own head.
"It feels like the most unnatural thing in the world but the thing that helped me the most was discovering I'm not alone. I'm not the only person going through this. There are people all over the world feeling the exact same way I do!"
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Perrie was able to go to therapy to help work through her mental health struggles, and cut back on social media as it caused her extra stress.
"As soon as I realised I wasn't going insane I felt more eager to beat it. I had therapy and I surround myself with my loved ones. Talking to someone relieves you of SO MUCH STRESS," she explained.
"I worked out coping mechanism's and learned what the triggers are so that I can fight the attacks before they take hold. I restricted my time on social media which often made me feel trapped and claustrophobic. I took control of my life and accepted what I couldn't control."
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Perrie finished her post, concluding: "I don't want to hide it anymore. I suffer from anxiety and I want you to all know if you suffer from anxiety you're not alone."
The candid post raked in likes from Perrie's celeb friends and fan-base, including her boyfriend Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Stacey Solomon and her Little Mix band mates.
Perrie, we salute you for speaking so honestly about this.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Perrie EdwardsTopics: Little Mix, Celebrity News