Selena Gomez Admits ‘Anxiety’ And ‘Depression’ Issues: Lupus Or Justin Bieber To Blame?


Selena Gomez first revealed that she had been diagnosed with lupus about a year ago. The following months turned into a series of challenges for Selena, from performing as part of her Revival Tour around the world to her highly publicized spat with her former boyfriend, Justin Bieber, on Instagram. Now, Gomez is sharing her decision to take time off to cope with some of the health issues that can accompany lupus, including anxiety and depression, reported People.

“As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways,” commented Selena. “I’ve discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges.”

Selena Gomez is taking a break from her tour.
Selena Gomez is taking a break from her tour. [Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]
The 24-year-old singer emphasized her desire to put her focus on caring for herself, leading to her decision to take time off. She also expressed her appreciation to her fans for their “support,” while clarifying her decision.

“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 shared that although her fans are “special” to her, she feels it is important to face the situation “head on” in order to help her focus on being her “best.” In addition, Selena pointed out that others have similar issues, expressing her hope that she could inspire them.

“You know how special you are to me,” stressed Gomez to her fans. “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.”

Selena Gomez admits to "anxiety."
Selena Gomez admits to “anxiety.” [Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]
As for whether Selena’s confession about emotional health issues is related in any way to Bieber, Hollywood Life speculated that her focus has been on Justin’s romantic vacation in Mexico with his reported new girlfriend, Sophia Richie.

Bieber doesn’t have an Instagram account right now, but Twitter and various media outlets overflowed with images of Justin with Sophia.

Back home in Texas during her time off from her tour, Gomez has sought to stop thinking about “the boys in her life,” an insider told Hollywood Life, who also explained why she hasn’t been seen on social media recently.

Justin kisses Selena.
Justin kisses Selena. [Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images]
“Selena has been using the end of her tour break to recharge at home in Dallas,” shared the source. “She has been largely unplugged and taking a break from social media.”

Focusing on family and friends has also become part of her plan to relax, added the insider.

“She has been trying to keep her mind off the boys in her life and focusing on relaxing and decompressing.”

As for whether Selena has any regrets when it comes to her relationship with Bieber, the Daily Mail reported that in addition to apologizing on social media for the criticism she dished out on Justin’s Instagram page, she has been trying to contact him off-line to say that she’s sorry.

The battle between the two occurred after some of Bieber’s fans turned to Instagram to slam his romance with his reported new gal pal, Sofia Richie. Bieber threatened to make his account private, at which point, the “Kill ‘Em With Kindness” singer criticized him.

Since then, she has reached out to try to apologize beyond her social media, but a source cited by the Daily Mail revealed Justin feels as if Selena refuses to let him go, and she repeatedly tries to insert herself into his life.

But is Bieber partly to blame for Gomez’s revelation about anxiety and depression, or is something else involved? In Touch cites a friend of Selena’s who claims that the singer has been partying to the point where her pals fear she would need to go to rehab.

“She’s been showing a lot of signs that worry her friends who’ve seen this behavior before,” said the friend.

“First she gets depressed, then has massive anxiety, then starts drinking and partying way too hard, then goes into denial and finally has a breakdown.”

However, this isn’t the first time that Gomez has taken a break from her career for her health, pointed out Us Weekly.

After taking time off in 2013 from a tour, Selena subsequently revealed that she had been coping with lupus, including chemotherapy. She challenged the haters who had made comments about that break.

“I was diagnosed with lupus, and I’ve been through chemotherapy,” revealed Gomez. “That’s what my break was really about. … I wanted so badly to say, ‘You guys have no idea. I’m in chemotherapy. You’re a–holes.’ I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again.”

[Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]

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