Society’s discourse surrounding mental health has become increasingly understanding in recent years, with numerous celebrities coming forward and opening up about their experiences, from Lena Dunham to Ruby Rose and Wentworth Miller. 

Now, British pop star, Ellie Goulding has come forward and spoken frankly about her struggle with anxiety, and opened up about having Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) following severe panic attacks.

Speaking to Flare magazine, the Grammy-winner says that she’s going to be taking a break from the limelight, following an ‘overwhelming’ few years.

The singer, 29, says that initially she wasn’t convinced that CBT was for her, but while promoting her recent album, Delirium, her panic attacks returned and she decided to take action.

“I was sceptical at first because I’d never had therapy, but not being able to leave the house was so debilitating. And this was when my career was really taking off," she says.

“My surroundings would trigger a panic attack, so I couldn’t go to the studio unless I was lying down in the car with a pillow over my face. I used to beat myself up about it.

“There were a couple of times after I released Delirium when I was doing promo and thought, Oh god, it’s coming back, it’s coming back, but it didn’t. I think my body has become quite good at controlling anxiety.”

Read: How to recognise anxiety and cope with it

The singer says she will be taking some time out to take care of her mental health and focus on the parts of her life she’s missed out on, while being on the road, saying:

“It’s really a commitment, being on the road; you almost put everything on hold – seeing family, seeing friends. I’ve missed so many weddings and births.

“It will be nice to wake up and know I don’t have anything to do.”

Goulding is currently on tour in America and will be playing in Europe over the summer. 

Images: Eex Features