Meghan Trainor is getting candid about her mental health journey.
The 27-year-old performer recently revealed that she struggled with panic attacks for years. In fact, her first experience happened on live TV, when she and Gayle King teamed up in December of 2016 to announce the nominees for the 2017 GRAMMY Awards.
“I was announcing the nominees, and I was vibrating. I felt like I was going to pass out on live television. I was like, ‘What’s happening? I must be dying,'” Meghan told People. “As soon as they said ‘Cut,’ I went offstage and was [gasping for air] in front of everyone.”
She then opened up about feeling physical symptoms, for which she would go to the emergency room to have checked.
“Some nights I remember I ate a bunch of food, then I got scared, and I was like, ‘I need to go to the emergency room because I’m allergic to what I just ate.’ The doctor came in, looked really sad, and was like, ‘Have you ever heard of a panic attack?’ I was like, ‘No, no, no, I’m having an allergic reaction. If you just look in the back of my throat, it’s closing.’ That was my first lesson on what a panic attack can do to you,” Meghan shared.
So, what is a panic attack?
According to the Mayo Clinic, panic attacks are “sudden episodes of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause.” Those who experience it may feel like they’re losing control, having a heart attack or even dying. And when that becomes a recurring incident, the person may be suffering from a panic disorder.
While it’s not life threatening, it can definitely have a big impact on one’s quality of life – some are known to live in constant fear of having another panic attack.
The ”All About That Bass” singer also revealed that she’d been struggling with anxiety and depression at the time. Upon getting diagnosed with panic disorder, which is happens to be an anxiety disorder, she went to consult a psychiatrist – and found a treatment that works.
“I’m not ashamed to say I’m on antidepressants,” she said. “That medicine saved me, saved my life, saved my career. I’m back better than ever.”
“With the panic [attacks], you literally feel like you’re vibrating nonstop. But everything just got quiet, and I was back to my normal self,” she added.
She even stayed on her medication during her pregnancy, upon the recommendation of her doctor, which helped keep her from experiencing postpartum depression after welcoming son Riley with husband Daryl Sabara.
Meghan says she’s now “in the best place of my life.
And girl is busy as a bee with a number of projects – including co-hosting Top Chef Family Style , judging on Clash Of The Cover Bands, launching a podcast with her brother, developing and starring in her own sitcom, and working on new music! Plus, she couldn’t be happier and more fulfilled with her family life, too.
