Selena Gomez Sets Example: Depression & Anxiety Symptoms in Teens

When people struggle with depression and/or anxiety in teens or adolescence (or even adulthood), a large amount of the time they don’t seek out support or treatment. This is because of the strong stigma that’s attached to mental health issues in our society, which is why it’s so important for public figures to speak about their own struggles with mental health issues.
Recently, Selena Gomez–popular music artist and actress–did just that. She publically announced that she’ll be taking some time away from performing in order to get help for her depression and anxiety. BBC recently published an article outlining the details of Gomez’s struggle.
Image source: lisabjo

Selena Gomez’s fight against lupus

About a year ago, Selena Gomez announced to the world that she was battling lupus. Lupus is a chronic disease that has to do with how the immune system functions–it basically turns your body against you. There are treatments available to control the symptoms, but there’s still much we don’t know about how the disease works.
Depression and anxiety symptoms in teens can begin to appear because of many reasons–one of them being struggling with a disease. Gomez admitted that she frequently has panic attacks and has issues with depression and anxiety–this can most certainly be connected to lupus. Battling a disease that has no cure can be stressful and often creates feelings of hopelessness.
Selena explained to her many, many fans:
“I’ve discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of Lupus, which can present their own challenges. I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off.”
Gomez is setting a terrific example for young people also struggling with depression and anxiety symptoms in teens. Many people feel embarrassed or ashamed for having mental health issues, but they shouldn’t and Gomez is exemplifying that. She has many fans that look up to her, by standing up and saying that she needs help, hopefully others will be inspired to do the same.

Trails Carolina can help

Trails Carolina is a wilderness therapy program for struggling youth, ages 10-17. Our students commonly deal with issues such as depression, anxiety symptoms in teens, ADHD, and other behavioral challenges. We use outdoor learning and wilderness therapy to improve the lives of young people.
For more information about how Trails Carolina helps with anxiety symptoms in teens, please call 800-975-7303 today!