Selena Gomez on Break Amid Anxiety, Depression From Lupus

Selena Gomez on Break Amid Anxiety, Depression From Lupus
US actress and singer Selena Gomez poses as she arrives to the 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, California on February 28, 2016.Photo credit ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
The Associated Press
8/31/2016
Updated:
8/31/2016

Selena Gomez says she’s taking a break to deal with anxiety, panic attacks and depression stemming from her battle with lupus.

The pop singer tells People magazine the conditions are side effects of the autoimmune disease, “which can present their own challenges.”

The 24-year-old says in a statement to People that she wants “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 says by sharing her struggles, she hopes “others will be encouraged to address their own issues.”

Gomez told Billboard last year that she had undergone chemotherapy as part of her treatment for lupus.

“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,” the pop star told USA Today.

“I wanted so badly to say, ‘You guys have no idea. I’m in chemotherapy. You’re [expletive],’ ” she said at the time. “But I was angry I even felt the need to say that. It’s awful walking into a restaurant and having the whole room look at you, knowing what they’re saying. I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again.”

Epoch Times contributed to this report.