Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
  1. Home
  2. Camila Cabello

Camila Cabello opens up about her battle with anxiety and OCD

"There was something hurting inside me, and I didn’t have the skill to heal it or handle it. In order to heal it, I had to talk about it."
  • 29 May 2020
Camila Cabello opens up about her battle with anxiety and OCD

Singer Camila Cabello has opened up about her battle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and anxiety, giving us all that much needed reminder that it’s okay to not feel okay 24/7.

camila_cabello View Profile
likes - View Post on Instagram
"love risks everything and asks for nothing"- Rumi, my poetry quote of the day 🌺 how are your hearts?

Yesterday, the “Havana” singer wrote an essay in the pay-locked Wall Street Journal (WSJ) magazine in honour of Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S.

“There was something hurting inside me, and I didn’t have the skill to heal it or handle it," she wrote, according to People. “In order to heal it, I had to talk about it.”

In the article, Cabello details her own experience with OCD and anxiety. The last year has been a difficult time for the Grammy-nominated-singer as she’s experienced “constant, unwavering, relentless anxiety that made day-to-day life painfully hard.” Although, she says she made sure people didn’t know that and filtered her struggles out of her Instagram feed and public image.

“Here’s what there aren’t pictures of from the last year: me crying in the car talking to my m[u]m about how much anxiety and how many symptoms of OCD I was experiencing,” the singer wrote. “My m[u]m and me in a hotel room reading books about OCD because I was desperate for relief. Me experiencing what felt like constant, unwavering, relentless anxiety that made day-to-day life painfully hard."

"I didn’t want the people who thought I was strong and capable and confident—the people who most believed in me—to find out that I felt weak,” she continued. “The little voice in my head was telling me that if I was honest about my mental health struggle and my internal battles (i.e. being human), people would think there was something wrong with me, or that I wasn’t strong, or that I couldn’t handle things."

camila_cabello View Profile
likes - View Post on Instagram
so proud to support and celebrate #incrediblewomen across the world in this @isabelmarant for @netaporter tshirt in honour of #internationalwomensday ❤️❤️❤️ all profits go to @womenforwomen !!! @portermagazine ❤️❤️

The former Fifth Harmony member, who struggled to openly discuss her experience with mental health, adding that “it was robbing me of my humo[u]r, my joy, my creativity and my trust,” ultimately decided that she had to talk about it to encourage her to acknowledge it and seek professional help. 

“We live in a culture that pursues and unattainable perfection,” Cabello added. “Social media can make us feel like we should be as perfect as everybody else seems to be. Far from being a sign of weakness, owning our struggles and taking the steps to heal is powerful.”

“For a long time, anxiety felt like it was robbing me of my humo[u]r, my joy, my creativity and my trust. But now anxiety and I are good friends. I listen to her, because I know she’s just trying to keep me safe, but I don’t give her too much attention. And I sure as hell don’t let her make any decisions.”

We’re proud of Camila for speaking out about her experience with mental health. Everyone struggles with mental health and it's okay to not feel okay sometimes. Cabello sharing her story gives us all hope to talk about our own problems with our friends and family, and seek professional help.

If you or anyone you know is feeling distressed or struggling with their mental health, know that there are people who are ready and willing to listen. Contact Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) or Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800). If you feel your life is in danger or are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please talk to the folks at Lifeline (13 11 14), 1800Respect (1800 737 732) or 000.

  • Camila Cabello
  • Celebrity

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Recommended to you

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer
Watch 1:00

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer

{headline}

{headline}

Shawn Mendes And Camila Cabello Just Split – So Pass The Tissues

Shawn Mendes And Camila Cabello Just Split – So Pass The Tissues

Remembering Shawn Mendes' Best Times With Camila Cabello

Remembering Shawn Mendes' Best Times With Camila Cabello

All The Best Fashion Moments From The 2021 VMAS

All The Best Fashion Moments From The 2021 VMAS

Why We're Obsessed With Camila Cabello As Cinderella

Why We're Obsessed With Camila Cabello As Cinderella

{headline}

{headline}

Why Camila Cabello's TikTok Content Is A Must Watch

Why Camila Cabello's TikTok Content Is A Must Watch

The best and worst celebrity costumes from Halloween 2020

The best and worst celebrity costumes from Halloween 2020

Camila Cabello debuts short hair for the first time in her life

Camila Cabello debuts short hair for the first time in her life

{headline}

{headline}

A Shawn Mendes Documentary Is Coming To Netflix

A Shawn Mendes Documentary Is Coming To Netflix

Did Shawn Mendes just reveal a new collab with Justin Bieber?

Did Shawn Mendes just reveal a new collab with Justin Bieber?

We just got our very first look at Camilla Cabello as Cinderella

We just got our very first look at Camilla Cabello as Cinderella

Everything you need to know about ‘Cinderella’ starring Camila Cabello

Everything you need to know about ‘Cinderella’ starring Camila Cabello

Ariana Grande, Timothée Chalamet, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello and more march in support of Black Lives Matter

Ariana Grande, Timothée Chalamet, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello and more march in support of Black Lives Matter

Why Camila Cabello spent an ENTIRE flight crying

Why Camila Cabello spent an ENTIRE flight crying

Camila Cabello called out for disturbing racist comments

Camila Cabello called out for disturbing racist comments

Girlfriend
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Girlfriend

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%