Perrie Edwards took extreme lengths in desperate bid to manage panic attacks
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 info@mind.org.uk
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Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
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Perrie Edwards took extreme lengths in desperate bid to manage panic attacks
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 info@
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The online communities offering hope – and the ones that harm
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It can also help challenge myths around mental health and break down stigma, motivating people to seek support in real life Hanley, Professor of Counselling Psychology at The University of Manchester, says it's hard for some young people to find places they can express themselves freely."The fact that online communities are available 24/7 can be a huge benefit, as people can potentially access support for mental health difficulties at 2am when friends, family or other potential support networks aren't as readily available." 'Dangerous ideologies' But whilst there are many benefits to engaging with a supportive online community, there are also communities which can actively damage your mental Chantler, Head of Policy at the Mental Health Foundation says some online communities can actually be dangerous."So that's ones where people egg each other on to suicide and eating disorders, self-harm and also things like racial hate forums and incel communities."And you can imagine the damage that they do, both to their users and to society more broadly."Recent research from the Mental Health Foundation found that 68% of people aged 16 – 21 had experienced online content they found harmful or disturbing, and that 35% had seen suicide or self-harm content says that even communities about the most everyday things can turn toxic."So an example of that might be video game communities. They can be absolutely lovely, or they can be appalling and really quite dangerous for our mental health."Mental Health Foundation research has also established links between some online communities promoting health and wellbeing, and those promoting more dangerous ideologies."Some of the most harmful websites are incel forums," says Chantler. "Groups of men who have given up on the idea of having a romantic or sexual relationship because they believe that either they're not good enough or that society is constituted in a way which won't allow them to do that."Research has also found connections between people who set up pro-suicide forums, and those running misogynistic incel how can you make sure that the online communities you use are safe and good for your mental health – not bad?"Healthy communities are well-moderated, inclusive, and have boundaries," says Sarah Miles from Mind. "They respect people's experiences while still prioritising safety."According to Miles, while it's OK - and often helpful – for people to speak openly about their mental health experiences, it becomes unsafe when those conversations include explicit details, such as methods, calorie counts or other OK to step away from any space that feels overwhelming she says, and seek support elsewhere. Red flags So what are some of the red flags to look out for?Chantler says you should ask yourself some key questions about the communities you're engaging in."Do I feel safe? Does the community hold everyone accountable? Do I feel connected to others? Does it align with my values and who I am as a person? Does it drain me or make me feel bad about myself?"It's important too to ask yourself it the community still does what you joined it for, he says, as communities can change over time, and can become more radicalised or more Knight from the Mental Health Foundation says that whilst there are dangers, for lots of people, their experience of using online communities to support their mental health will be almost entirely positive."We are all community, we are what makes up different communities, whether they are online or in the physical world. So we can all make a difference to try and make them positive and supportive places."Leanne says her experience has been overwhelmingly positive on the forum she uses. "Given it's moderated and there are strong guidelines, it really is a safe place."There is the opportunity to be as honest and open as you like, but you can also, you can be as vague as needed to protect yourself. Everyone really cares."For more stories and tips on how to support your mental health and wellbeing, visit If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can find information and support on the BBC Actionline website.
