Selena Gomez opens up about her battle with depression and anxiety

Selena Gomez has opened up about her struggles with depression and anxiety, speaking of her dedication to fight it by focussing more on herself and her mental health.

The singer, actress and producer of the show 13 Reasons Why has often spoke of her mental health, announcing a break from music in 2016 after suffering from depression due to her lupus diagnosis.

Now in a frank interview with Harpers Bazaar, she revealed how she wants to make her well-being her main focus in 2018.

“I’m going to say yes because I believe that for myself,” said Gomez. “And anyone who knows me knows I will always start with my health and my well-being. I’ve had a lot of issues with depression and anxiety, and I’ve been very vocal about it, but it’s not something I feel I’ll ever overcome. There won’t be a day when I’m like, “Here I am in a pretty dress—I won!” I think it’s a battle I’m gonna have to face for the rest of my life, and I’m okay with that because I know that I’m choosing myself over anything else. I’m starting my year off with that thought. ”

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She added: “I want to make sure I’m healthy. If that’s good, everything else will fall into place.”

Speaking about her condition in 2016, Gomez said: “As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways. 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. Thank you to all my fans for your support. You know how special you are to me, but I need to face this head on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best. I know I am not alone by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues”.

Gomez is producer of the hit Netflix show 13 Reasons Why. The show has caused great controversy since its release on the streaming service, due to its graphic depiction of suicide and supposed failure to address certain issues relating to depression among the young. Based on Jay Asher’s 2007 novel of the same name and featuring Selena Gomez as an executive producer, 13 Reasons Why tells the story of 17-year-old girl called Hannah Baker.

Hannah takes her own life, leaving a box of tapes explaining her reasons why before Clay Jensen listens through them all in his attempt to come to terms with her death. The father of a young girl who took her own life after binge-watching the show recently called for it to be scrapped.