Ryan Reynolds Reveals His Lifelong Battle With Anxiety, Shares Intimate Details No One Expects From Man Like Him
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Ryan Reynolds has started a conversation around anxiety, after opening up about his personal battle with the condition in an interview with the New York Times.
“I have anxiety, I’ve always had anxiety,” Reynolds told journalist Cara Buckley. “Both in the lighthearted ‘I’m anxious about this’ kind of thing, and I’ve been to the depths of the darker end of the spectrum, which is not fun.”
It was certainly an unexpected statement from a guy who seemingly has it all: a kickass acting career, a beautiful family, a wicked sense of humor and who is generally described as the coolest and most handsome man in Hollywood.
But anxiety does not care for status, and can affect anyone. Reynolds has struggled with it since childhood, partly as a result of his former police officer father, whom he referred to as “the stress dispensary in our house.” While Reynolds doesn’t look back on his childhood with any regrets, he loved his father dearly and named his daughter James in honor of him, being overly cautious not to cause a confrontation clearly took its toll. “I became this young skin-covered micromanager,” he said. “When you stress out kids, there’s a weird paradox that happens because they’re suddenly taking on things that aren’t theirs to take on.”
The interview revealed that Reynolds gets overcome with “dread and nausea before every talk-show appearance and becomes quite convinced he might die.” Even before the New York Times interview he had barely eaten all day, because “interviews for profiles make him crazy jittery too.” So how does he deal with being constantly in the media spotlight, with such a debilitating condition? Doing interviews in character seems to help him, as he finds refuge in being someone else. “When the curtain opens, I turn on this knucklehead, and he kind of takes over and goes away again once I walk off set,” he said. “That’s that great self-defense mechanism, I figure if you’re going to jump off a cliff, you might as well fly.”
He also revealed that he uses a meditation app to help calm the nerves, while stability, resisting the urge to self-medicate and generally looking after himself contribute greatly too. And he is certainly not alone in his struggles. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety is the most common mental disorder in the country with over 40 million adults affected each year. Reynolds has done something important by opening up the discussion around the condition, which responds well to treatment yet only 36% of those affected actively seek assistance.
Scroll down below to see how people reacted and related to Reynolds’ interview, and let us know what you think in the comments!
More info: New York Times (h/t: Someecards)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Ryan Reynolds has started a conversation around anxiety
Image credits: Magdalena Wosinska
After opening up about his personal battle with the condition in a candid interview for the New York Times
Image credits: vancityreynolds
“I have anxiety, I’ve always had anxiety”
Image credits: Magdalena Wosinska
“Both in the lighthearted ‘I’m anxious about this’ kind of thing, and I’ve been to the depths of the darker end of the spectrum, which is not fun”
Image credits: vancityreynolds
Despite being a well-known actor, he still has stage fright to the point where he “gets wracked by dread and nausea before every talk-show appearance and becomes quite convinced he might die”
Image credits: Cris Pizzello
In fact, he had barely eaten the day of this interview because “interviews for profiles make him crazy jittery too”
Image credits: vancityreynolds
“During his ABC sitcom days, he chose to warm up the audience, mostly to redirect his panic or, as he describes it, “the energy of just wanting to throw up””
Image credits: VancityReynolds
He also opened up about the difficult relationship with his police officer father, calling him the “stress dispensary in our house”
Image credits: Getty
To keep his father from lashing out, he always kept the house immaculate: “I became this young skin-covered micro manager”
Image credits: VancityReynolds
“When you stress out kids, there’s a weird paradox that happens because they’re suddenly taking on things that aren’t theirs to take on
Image credits: Getty
He is known for his sarcastic humor which in some cases can be used to mask the anxiety
Image credits: VancityReynolds
Image credits: VancityReynolds
Image credits: VancityReynolds
Doing interviews in character seems to help him, as he finds refuge in being someone else
Image credits: vancityreynolds
“When the curtain opens, I turn on this knucklehead, and he kind of takes over and goes away again once I walk off set”
Image credits: vancityreynolds
He uses a meditation app to help calm the nerves, while resisting the urge to self-medicate and generally looking after himself help a lot too
Image credits: vancityreynolds
Other people could relate to his struggles
258Kviews
Share on FacebookThe struggles of anxiety needs to be talked about more, especially since it's sadly becoming more common. I've suffered a lot with mental illness but I personally found anxiety to me the most crippling, it's makes being in your body and mind a living hell. Anxiety has made me feel more suicidal than any other feeling.
You will never truly understand anxiety until you have gone through it. The panic attacks that make you think you are having a heart attack which get worse by the second. The fear of doing the simplest things such as answering the phone or going grocery shopping. The constant “get over it” from the people who are incapable of feeling any kind of emotion. I suffer from it from time to time but I feel that as I get older, I get a better grip on it. I feel for anyone who has anxiety and I know exactly what they are going through. Kudos to the ones who cope with it on a daily basis as it is like fighting a never ending battle.
If you are fortunate enough to not suffer from anxiety but are curious about what it's like, let me tell you: I know that everything I'm feeling is irrational. This is fight or flight gone wonky for no good reason. My heart is racing, my tummy is queasy. My face is hot and my head hurts. My mouth is dry and my hands are shaky. I feel very strongly like I need to run away from something. I feel like, at any moment, I will become violently ill. I cannot focus at all on the tasks I intended to perform. I cannot grasp simple concepts. Mild challenges become giant unsolvable issues. My shoulders and neck are tense and I cannot relax. These feelings are often in response to an event (like being invited to dinner or having a doctor's appointment), but the very worst thing about anxiety is that these feelings can happen for absolutely no reason at all.
"Just calm down." "It can't be that bad." "You're freaking out over nothing." "THAT is what caused it?" Welcome to Anxiety. And the things people say that don't understand.
My 'favourite' was 'Can't you pull yourself together?' Nope, and if I could I certainly wouldn't do it for you, you moron.
Load More Replies...If you have anxiety for long enough you will have physical pain i do
Do you mean like intense muscle cramps and migraine like stuff? That's the form it can take with myself.
Load More Replies...Suffered and still suffering with anxiety for over 20 years. I've done everything but the one thing that has really helped me is meditation. 10 to 20 minutes in morning. Meditate meditate meditate it will change your life and it's very easy to do. But I feel for anybody suffering with anxiety. Unless you've been there you have no idea
Am a sufferer of anxiety too Betty. Just getting into meditation, take medication. Surprising that only 36% seek help...how could you not? Well, to be honest I get why people don't seek help but they would feel so much better if they did!!
Load More Replies...I hate anxiety. I have it and I sometimes (rarely now) get panic attacks. They are not fun. Meditation has helped me alot.
Anxitey can be a really tough issue. I have anxiety attacks from time to time, around every 4-5 weeks, so it's no big deal, especially I get an aura before that, so I am ready when it hits. I have deep respect and I admire people with sever anxiety who have to deal with this state on daily basis and still make best out of their lives. Fingers crossed!
That's interesting. Do you know if it is similar to the aura that comes before migraines?
Load More Replies...I had horrible anxiety attacks when I was in my mid 20s. It lasted for 4 years and was the worst thing I've ever gone through. I was lucky, I found a really good therapist (entirely by chance) and was able to work through some of the things that were causing it (I took care of my parents when I was very young too). I made some changes in my life as well, and eventually they went away and haven't come back, but I feel for anyone who is going through that. I love life, but that was the only time I've ever thought about not wanting to continue living. It can get that bad.
This doesnt surprise me. The people that usually suffer from it are VERY empathetic, kind and extremely funny.
My first panic attack was a true irony. Coz I was Soo anxious that I could hardly move. My physical self just curled up in fetal position. But my inner self was caught up in a vortex. I wanted to scream, run, break and hit things nd do a million other things. Anything really to stop whatever was going on inside. Instead I couldn't even breathe a word. It was horrible, to be frozen, I thought I might just drown. It took nearly 2 hour of immense concentration to make me stop nd fall asleep. When u have gone through something like that it just changes u. I live in a place, where u cannot even indicate that u have some kind of issue, let alone ask for help, otherwise u will be treated like u r an dangerous alien species. U cannot talk to anybody. And this when we r so advanced. But the mental health is still a taboo.
I have never put the two together, until reading this, "childhood trauma" having been through therapy over medicated, learning to get off the drugs (I trusted my Dr) that weren't for me. Being diagnosed with PTSD with crippling anxiety, its been a long long journey. Today, most days are good, most times I can get out and do most everything, then there are the days (fewer than ever before) where I can't, I just can't do anything. I'm glad someone with the power to reach so many has spoken out and shared this. To all those who suffer, my heart goes out to you.
Thank you to all of you who suffer with this and explained your life to those of us who don't deal with this. I know I'll be more sympathetic in the future. (I was raised by "get over it" parents and have a tendency to think this, too. Now I know better.)
W.W.D.P.D. But seriously, I deal with anxiety and the fear of a panic attack each and every day. Family, friends, coworkers don't understand which is something we who experience this mental illness expect. Amazing how something simple and pedestrian as answering the telephone or talking with someone at the gym raises my anxiety to such an uncomfortable level. Ryan Reynolds speaking about his struggles with anxiety provides me a real sense of faith that I can deal with it. He obviously has not allowed himself to give into the fear which can be emotionally and mentally crippling. Accepting the condition and owning it helps. Thanks Ryan!
I have that kind of anxiety when dating, so much even that I don't date at all anymore. So now, I admire men from a distance, but not in a weird way of course. I think.
I've been anxious for a long time. A long long time... Then I just said "f*** it" and got married.
Load More Replies...I've struggled with panic attacks an anxiety over past 21 years. First episode I was 25, and looked like a hae
... like a heart attack. After that, the things got complicated, with severe incidents every week. I always was anxious, a similar story but with my "hoovering" mother... Abandoned my job and spend 5 years in treatment, barely leaving my home. When my daughter was born, kind a switch turned off, and I feeled incredible strong and started to manage the episodes. Got another job and built a sucessfull career in my field. The anxiety never goes out, but is possibly to manage and inflict less damage in your personal and profesional live! Never give up!
Load More Replies...Reckon society is to blame? I reckon so. Without knowing facts or figures, do you think it has got higher since social media? Or just more awareness?
Anxiety and depression here - anxious about things that haven't happened, and depressed about what will happen when it DOES come to pass. Drug therapy and regular therapy have helped, but the best yet is EMDR therapy. It's amazing what your mind can do when it's there...
Anxiety can be no fun, my friends have to deal with bouts of it and the only thing I can do to help them is make a cup of chamomile tea for them.
And yet most people never deal with crippling anxiety.
Load More Replies...People believe in a god that can fix all their problems. I believe in medicine that can fix mine. I don't want to push my beliefs onto another just as I don't want theirs pushes onto me.
Load More Replies...That is NOT how it works. You obviously don't understand this at all, can't relate, and think we're overreacting but that's not even close to the truth
Load More Replies...The struggles of anxiety needs to be talked about more, especially since it's sadly becoming more common. I've suffered a lot with mental illness but I personally found anxiety to me the most crippling, it's makes being in your body and mind a living hell. Anxiety has made me feel more suicidal than any other feeling.
You will never truly understand anxiety until you have gone through it. The panic attacks that make you think you are having a heart attack which get worse by the second. The fear of doing the simplest things such as answering the phone or going grocery shopping. The constant “get over it” from the people who are incapable of feeling any kind of emotion. I suffer from it from time to time but I feel that as I get older, I get a better grip on it. I feel for anyone who has anxiety and I know exactly what they are going through. Kudos to the ones who cope with it on a daily basis as it is like fighting a never ending battle.
If you are fortunate enough to not suffer from anxiety but are curious about what it's like, let me tell you: I know that everything I'm feeling is irrational. This is fight or flight gone wonky for no good reason. My heart is racing, my tummy is queasy. My face is hot and my head hurts. My mouth is dry and my hands are shaky. I feel very strongly like I need to run away from something. I feel like, at any moment, I will become violently ill. I cannot focus at all on the tasks I intended to perform. I cannot grasp simple concepts. Mild challenges become giant unsolvable issues. My shoulders and neck are tense and I cannot relax. These feelings are often in response to an event (like being invited to dinner or having a doctor's appointment), but the very worst thing about anxiety is that these feelings can happen for absolutely no reason at all.
"Just calm down." "It can't be that bad." "You're freaking out over nothing." "THAT is what caused it?" Welcome to Anxiety. And the things people say that don't understand.
My 'favourite' was 'Can't you pull yourself together?' Nope, and if I could I certainly wouldn't do it for you, you moron.
Load More Replies...If you have anxiety for long enough you will have physical pain i do
Do you mean like intense muscle cramps and migraine like stuff? That's the form it can take with myself.
Load More Replies...Suffered and still suffering with anxiety for over 20 years. I've done everything but the one thing that has really helped me is meditation. 10 to 20 minutes in morning. Meditate meditate meditate it will change your life and it's very easy to do. But I feel for anybody suffering with anxiety. Unless you've been there you have no idea
Am a sufferer of anxiety too Betty. Just getting into meditation, take medication. Surprising that only 36% seek help...how could you not? Well, to be honest I get why people don't seek help but they would feel so much better if they did!!
Load More Replies...I hate anxiety. I have it and I sometimes (rarely now) get panic attacks. They are not fun. Meditation has helped me alot.
Anxitey can be a really tough issue. I have anxiety attacks from time to time, around every 4-5 weeks, so it's no big deal, especially I get an aura before that, so I am ready when it hits. I have deep respect and I admire people with sever anxiety who have to deal with this state on daily basis and still make best out of their lives. Fingers crossed!
That's interesting. Do you know if it is similar to the aura that comes before migraines?
Load More Replies...I had horrible anxiety attacks when I was in my mid 20s. It lasted for 4 years and was the worst thing I've ever gone through. I was lucky, I found a really good therapist (entirely by chance) and was able to work through some of the things that were causing it (I took care of my parents when I was very young too). I made some changes in my life as well, and eventually they went away and haven't come back, but I feel for anyone who is going through that. I love life, but that was the only time I've ever thought about not wanting to continue living. It can get that bad.
This doesnt surprise me. The people that usually suffer from it are VERY empathetic, kind and extremely funny.
My first panic attack was a true irony. Coz I was Soo anxious that I could hardly move. My physical self just curled up in fetal position. But my inner self was caught up in a vortex. I wanted to scream, run, break and hit things nd do a million other things. Anything really to stop whatever was going on inside. Instead I couldn't even breathe a word. It was horrible, to be frozen, I thought I might just drown. It took nearly 2 hour of immense concentration to make me stop nd fall asleep. When u have gone through something like that it just changes u. I live in a place, where u cannot even indicate that u have some kind of issue, let alone ask for help, otherwise u will be treated like u r an dangerous alien species. U cannot talk to anybody. And this when we r so advanced. But the mental health is still a taboo.
I have never put the two together, until reading this, "childhood trauma" having been through therapy over medicated, learning to get off the drugs (I trusted my Dr) that weren't for me. Being diagnosed with PTSD with crippling anxiety, its been a long long journey. Today, most days are good, most times I can get out and do most everything, then there are the days (fewer than ever before) where I can't, I just can't do anything. I'm glad someone with the power to reach so many has spoken out and shared this. To all those who suffer, my heart goes out to you.
Thank you to all of you who suffer with this and explained your life to those of us who don't deal with this. I know I'll be more sympathetic in the future. (I was raised by "get over it" parents and have a tendency to think this, too. Now I know better.)
W.W.D.P.D. But seriously, I deal with anxiety and the fear of a panic attack each and every day. Family, friends, coworkers don't understand which is something we who experience this mental illness expect. Amazing how something simple and pedestrian as answering the telephone or talking with someone at the gym raises my anxiety to such an uncomfortable level. Ryan Reynolds speaking about his struggles with anxiety provides me a real sense of faith that I can deal with it. He obviously has not allowed himself to give into the fear which can be emotionally and mentally crippling. Accepting the condition and owning it helps. Thanks Ryan!
I have that kind of anxiety when dating, so much even that I don't date at all anymore. So now, I admire men from a distance, but not in a weird way of course. I think.
I've been anxious for a long time. A long long time... Then I just said "f*** it" and got married.
Load More Replies...I've struggled with panic attacks an anxiety over past 21 years. First episode I was 25, and looked like a hae
... like a heart attack. After that, the things got complicated, with severe incidents every week. I always was anxious, a similar story but with my "hoovering" mother... Abandoned my job and spend 5 years in treatment, barely leaving my home. When my daughter was born, kind a switch turned off, and I feeled incredible strong and started to manage the episodes. Got another job and built a sucessfull career in my field. The anxiety never goes out, but is possibly to manage and inflict less damage in your personal and profesional live! Never give up!
Load More Replies...Reckon society is to blame? I reckon so. Without knowing facts or figures, do you think it has got higher since social media? Or just more awareness?
Anxiety and depression here - anxious about things that haven't happened, and depressed about what will happen when it DOES come to pass. Drug therapy and regular therapy have helped, but the best yet is EMDR therapy. It's amazing what your mind can do when it's there...
Anxiety can be no fun, my friends have to deal with bouts of it and the only thing I can do to help them is make a cup of chamomile tea for them.
And yet most people never deal with crippling anxiety.
Load More Replies...People believe in a god that can fix all their problems. I believe in medicine that can fix mine. I don't want to push my beliefs onto another just as I don't want theirs pushes onto me.
Load More Replies...That is NOT how it works. You obviously don't understand this at all, can't relate, and think we're overreacting but that's not even close to the truth
Load More Replies...
359
55