Colton Haynes currently appears in the TV series Arrow and famously dressed as Ursula for Halloween this year. If you look at his Instagram, it’s generally playful; he posts many shots of himself, which is marvelous because he is a really handsome man with stunning eyes, a killer smile and hangs with very attractive people (and some cute cousins). It’s not all games, though, he posts several pictures of himself wearing bracelets that support various causes and how to help. Recently his message got very personal; Colton went public with the fact that he has long been in the grip of anxiety and he is letting other sufferers know they are not alone:
Colton Haynes recently opened up about a problem he’s battled for more than 15 years, which has also landed him in the hospital: Anxiety.
The 27-year-old Arrow actor and former Abercrombie & Fitch model posted a series of tweets about it late on Tuesday, after posting a link to a story about a Swiss medical study titled, “Mitochondrial Function in the Brain Links Anxiety With Social Subordination.”
“For those of you who are suffering with intense anxiety…ur not alone,” he said. “It’s been a constant struggle for me since 5th grade. It’s a battle.”
“Anxiety had put me in the hospital a countless amount of times,” he added. “Whether it be fainting, hyperventilating, or seizures…I’ve been through it. Just know ur not alone & it affects more ppl than you would ever know. We can overcome this. We can fight thru it & will.”
You can read the story on the Swiss medical study here. It sounds like Colton has had to endure much grief at the hands of his anxiety. It also sounds as if he has found a way to deal with it enough to put himself out there as an actor so good for him; 5th grade is an awkward age anyway and to add anxiety to the mix must have been terrifying; this tugs at my hearts strings and is making me think about my own little 5th grader right now.
I do not have anxiety so I will not claim any knowledge of the plight of those who do. From the stance of someone who has experience with other disorders, I will say that having a person like Colton speak out on the subject means a great deal. It always helps to know you are not alone when you suffer from anything and when they use their position to bring you that much closer to those like you, it has huge benefits. According to the American Psychiatry Association, Anxiety is the most common mental disorder. In America alone, 25 million people suffer from it. Since many of those sufferers have some form of social anxiety, those individuals probably have no idea how wide anxiety’s net is cast. As a person who is very “Get Off My Lawn” about social media, this is one of its greatest attributes; Colton Haynes has 3.1M followers on Instagram and 1.6M Twitter followers – think how many people just found out there are others like them. Good luck to Colton and everyone affected by anxiety in reaching out to each other.
photo credit: WENN.com
good on him. as a fellow sufferer of extreme anxiety, this encouraged me to speak up more.
He def won Halloween as Ursula. He seems like a nice guy who is not afraid to be vulnerable.
Kudos to him for pursuing a career that in some ways probably made his battle even more challenging, as you said. And kudos to him for opening up about it.
My son and I both struggle with anxiety. Mine is not as severe as Colton’s or my son’s. It is indeed a battle every day, especially when finding the right mix of treatments can take a lot of trial and error. It does help to know you’re not alone, especially among kids and teens.
I thought about your son while reading this. It’s hard enough as an adult, but I know you must agonize for him even more so than for yourself. My heart goes out to you both. ❤️
Thank you, sweet GoodNames. Too bad he doesn’t care about HW celebs (clearly he does not take after mom!) so this story isn’t likely to resonate with him. If a high profile professional or college athlete stepped up with a story like this I think he’d take a ton of comfort from it.
@Esmom, my 12-year-old daughter has anxiety but doesn’t want to see a counselor. Until I can make that happen, are there any sorts of non-prescription interventions that you’ve seen success with? I read the study article linked above and it mentioned vitamin B 3.
I hear you on the battle over seeing a counselor or therapist. We finally found one that my son likes, which has been huge. Although I’m starting to suspect they spend their time talking about sports more than anything else.
You probably don’t want to hear this but the only thing that has been effective for him are antidepressants. He went a number of years without them but then hit a wall with the most severe depressive/OCD episode I could have imagined and meds were the only thing that helped in pulling him out of that dark hole and kept him relatively stable.
I would encourage you not to dismiss medication. I always say that people generally wouldn’t deny meds for other biological illnesses and for many people depression and anxiety are indeed biological.
I love, love, love my magnesium and B complex supplements for my anxiety (panic attacks). They were the only things that allowed me to get off the ssri medications and Xanex. Those meds did work for my panic attacks but I didn’t like the side effects I experienced, which some people I know never had on the same medications. However, everyone is different and my anxiety manifested as an adult not as a child so I can’t even begin to give any kind of expert advice, but I started with the product called “calm” before bed to get some sleep without a sleeping pill and moved into daily supplements when that worked so well for me. Now (6 months later) I take no anxiety medication and have only had one panic attack which I was able to handle with meditation and breathing. As a mother I can’t imagine the struggle of trying to help my child with anxiety and I wish you nothing but hope and love as you deal with it.
Running really helped me, Size Does Matter, if she is interested in it. Nothing, not even medication, has ever helped me as much. If she’s interested in starting, take a look at the Couch to 5k plan: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
I didn’t get help until I was 25, but it saved my life. For me, anxiety spun into depression and complete withdrawal. A lot of it is behavioral, so vitamins don’t really help that kind of thing. I convinced myself I wasn’t depressed because I didn’t cry and I wasn’t suicidal…I also didn’t leave the house, pushed all of my friends away, and gained weight.
My unsolicited opinion is, get her into therapy asap. She probably doesn’t want to see a therapist because the thought gives her anxiety! It’s very difficult to face, I had to hit rock bottom.
ETA: it’s certainly not a cure, but chamomile tea has always been calming to me. They also make chamomile supplements.
My family includes several people with various forms of depression and anxiety, often thought to be flip sides of the same coin. I am a GAD girl. My sister has pretty severe social anxiety. There is a gene – MTHFR – that, like the BRCA gene which when “broken” can lead to breast cancer and other issues – that when “broken” can lead to your body’s inability to process certain B vitamins. My sister was tested and has the broken MTHFR gene and she takes a very specific form of already-processed B vitamins. I mention it b/c I think MTHFR mutations are not super well-known and can cause a variety of problems. And also because taking B vitamins in the standard non-processed form won’t do you much good if you have the mutation that my sister does. She works very hard at it, goes to a support group – especially significant for SAD people b/c for some, just the idea of meeting a group of people is daunting, so the group’s (partial) purpose is just to provide a place where SAD sufferers can go, maybe talk, just a light convo even, maybe not, but know they’re going to a place where they won’t be judged or thought “weird” if all they can manage is showing up and sitting quietly.
As for prescriptions, for me, a mix of antidepressants and anxiety medication, helps A LOT. I wish there were better anxiety-specific medications b/c the only ones that really help significantly are benzos (Valium, Klonopin, Ativan, etc.) and those are all addictive controlled substances. I’m not a doctor, but I know that Ativan is short-acting, meant for people whose anxiety takes the form of random panic attacks, and not meant for regular maintenance use. Klonopin is long-acting, and meant for those with more of the ever-present free-floating anxiety. They’re not the greatest answer b/c you have to be very careful with them, with withdrawal, and they’re a pain to refill b/c they’re controlled substances. But, as someone who used to go days without sleeping, have to leave work several times a day to walk just to burn off some of the nervous energy, and just generally feel awful and exhausted (anxiety burns a LOT of energy) all the time, for me, benzos are worth it. I take klonopin and I vary the dose – just a bit – throughout the week, so I’ve been able to stay at the same dose for years.
My anxiety disorder started when I was 13. I missed one month of seventh grade because my parents didnt know much about the disorder and there was no internet to read up on it. I tried anti-anxiety meds, but for me it was cognitive therapy that worked best. Unfortunately, anxiety disorder will never go away, but you can develop the tools to make it manageable. I also take an antidepressant that helps, but when the panic sets in, you’re the one who has to talk yourself through it. I’d really encourage your daughter to try therapy.
Many thanks to you all for the advice and kind words. I love my Celebitches!
One little word of warning Size – you can make things worse if you start thinking you HAVE to take X to help you. I went through a nasty spiral of trying to treat my panic attacks with various things (over-the-counter relaxants, vitamins, stretching exercises, deep breathing, meditation tapes). I was doing all these rituals, and each time I had a panic attack I’d basically blame myself for failing. Did I forget my vitamin? Did I not focus hard enough on my deep breathing?
In the end, I’ve found that what really works is just accepting that I get panic attacks sometimes, that they feel horrible but won’t kill me, and that each attack will go away soon enough. I couldn’t learn that I COULD cope while I was so busy doing all that stuff to avoid ever having an attack.
I do have Valium that I take when I’m stuck at the dentist or somewhere where I can’t just ride out an attack. But the more I’ve just sighed and lived through them, the less they bother me. I haven’t become addicted to the Valium at all. I only take it when needed, so it might be a pill a day for 8 days, then nothing for 2 months. Even though it’s very physically addictive, I’m not having a problem with thinking I HAVE to have it, and driving myself into a panic when I don’t have it, which is what I was doing with all the technically non-addictive stuff.
So I’d definitely advise you to be careful to promote vitamins etc as just something healthy, rather than as something that’ll help stop the anxiety. Because it’s just so easy to become mentally dependent on something, even if it isn’t physically addictive.
Esmom, I wish the best for your son. My kids and I both suffer from anxiety and depression– the kids lean more toward anxiety and I lean more toward the depressive side. My son is in 6th grade, and 5th was probably his hardest year (he’s also on the autism spectrum).If you ever want to compare mom notes maybe we can be a support group for each other. XOXO thinking of you all
Thank you Amy, so much. Sounds like our guys have more than one thing in common. Mine is 16 now and I have to say 5th, 6th and 7th grade were fantastic years for him. We are working so hard to get him back to that place where he was doing so well. Wishing you the best, too. You know where to find me, right here at my favorite escape 🙂
*raises hand*
As one of the estimated 25 million, it is great to see him standing up as someone who lives with anxiety. Mine was diagnosed at 16 (a fantastic time to have that thrown into your life, *eye roll*), and yes, it would’ve been good to know that I wasn’t alone. Statistically I knew I wasn’t, but there’s not much comfort in numbers, you know? But this was long before the full-disclosure of social media.
Thanks, Colton 🙂 That took guts. Especially since I’m sure he experienced the same “suck it up”/”you’re a hypochondriac”/”stop being so dramatic” responses as so many of us have.
That sucks. At 16 my anxiety hit its highest, so it literally stole my teenage phase. I don’t need to know I’m not alone now as much as I needed 11 years ago, but I realize there’s no one to blame.
*also raises hand*
Didn’t get an actual diagnosis until I was around 29 or so, but it has always and continues to be a struggle for me. It ebbs and flows, but when it’s bad just getting out of bed and going to work sets me in to a panic. At the time I was diagnosed, I had just started a new job and was having panic attacks on a regular basis while I was trying to get my feet wet. My GP asked me what I do and when I told him he said, “oh, I didn’t think that was a stressful job.” He diagnosed me, but it was clear that he didn’t actually get it. I’ve done medication, which helps a bit, but the best cure I’ve found yet is running. Who’d have thunk? (Was never much of an exerciser before.)
Hugs all around!
Exercising works for me, as well. I was always an athlete, so that helped. But I find crafts (knitting, sewing, painting, spinning yarn) helps, too. That, and cutting down (WAY down) on caffeine. I do miss my 6 cups of coffee a day…
I’m SO glad to read this. I have had anxiety my entire life. I can’t emphasize how difficult it is to deal with. It’s also difficult on loved ones. I take medication and do breathing exercises but ultimately I’ve had to learn that it’s a daily illness that I have to deal with. The other morning i woke up from a dream in full panic mode. It sucks having to take a xanax at 6 a.m.
I completely understand this. I wake up with anxiety every day and need a xanax. It’s awful. Good luck to you.
Hope he’s not a smoker. Nothing cracks me up then when a smoker says they either have anxiety or it helps anxiety. Lmao ya..no it doesnt. Nicotine addiction causes soooo much anxiety and I only learned that after quitting. 3years woot woot
well done! I’ll be at 3 years on dec 6th! Yay us!
I switched to electronic cigarettes and it was even more of a crutch because I’d do it in my house and in my car (never smoked in either). But I’m nicotine free for two years now!
I am learning that too Kimbers, I have been a smoker for thirty years but just developed anxiety about a year and a half ago. As bengalCat2000 said It really sucks having to take Xanax in the middle of the night from a dream induced panic attack or sit in your car for thirty minutes waiting for the meds to take effect before going into Wal-Mart to buy socks. I found the connection between cigarettes and my anxiety when the panic attacks started happening mostly in my car which was the only place I still allowed myself to smoke. However, even with this knowledge the addiction is still hard to overcome (I’m not quite there yet, but still trying). Developing anxiety induced panic attacks at 45 is the scariest thing I have ever been through, I cannot imagine the horror of this happening as a teenager. After experiencing all the terrible side effects of the pharma meds I am finally having some success with the more holistic approach-supplements (magnesium is the key for me), exercise, diet, and meditation. I really respect this guy for putting this out there, I tried to hide it for six months and it only made the anxiety a million times worse. Once it got out I found out that a large number of people I deal with every day suffer with it too. THAT is when my healing was able to begin! Good for you Colton!
Bravo to him for talking about such a personal issue in the public – it’s takes extra courage for a man to talk about depression & anxiety as many people will call him weak etc.
Respect to him & Dwayne the Rock for raising awareness.
Congrats to Colton for speaking out about something so personal.
On a vapid note: he is really attractive.
He really is. It was almost distracting in Teen Wolf, he looks like he’s made in a lab he’s so perfect 😀
Super handsome.
And I love love love the way he dresses
Yoga and ganja are my saving grace, the only things that soothe my soul and help me to feel like I’m not about to explode out of my own skin. Thank you, handsome pretty handsome man, for speaking out. Anxiety can make you feel like the life is being sucked right out of you sometimes, so it’s always so great for anyone to start a conversation. I really do appreciate Colton for this. “You’re not alone” and “Are you okay” are hugely powerful phrases.
“Even if we can’t find heaven, I’m gonna stand by you. Even if we can’t find heaven, I’ll walk through hell with you. Love, you’re not alone. I’m gonna stand by you.”
Can’t help it, I love that song, especially as a person who struggles with anxiety.
Oh wow. I hope it doesn’t sound morbid to say I’m happy to hear/see when celebrities admit to having these difficult and trying mental issues. As someone with anxiety I would have never guessed that about him (which is the point). I love the honesty and know how much of a struggle it can be. I wish him the best and might just attempt to actually send a message to him on his social media thanking him for his courage. It can be so difficult.
I know. It gives me hope that my anxiety isn’t as externally obvious as I feel like it is.
*hugs*
I know mine isn’t but that doesn’t change how debilitating it can be on the inside or at night. It’s screwed up my sleep schedule more than I can count and I’ve often heard friends (and teachers and etc.) say how cheerful and positive I am and it always internally shocks me because I realize you really can’t tell from the outside.
We’re all gonna stay strong and do our best. It sucks the chemicals in our brain are trying to kill us but we can always fight back and try to find comfort and strength in others.
Haha thanks, that’s so sweet.
Anxiety is a b***h. It takes so much out of you emotionally, holds you back from so many things, and the worrying is exhausting. I hate it. Distraction is a huge help for me, breaking out of that spiral that will lead to a panic attack is key. Putting on the tv, reading something, listening to music or having someone to talk to about anything no matter how silly will help to stop it before it escalates.
Aw, Roy. I miss Roy. Why did he leave Arrow?
The thing about anxiety, is that every experiences it from time to time. It took me a long time to figure out that, while everyone deals with stress in life, my reaction to it is way out of proportion on a regular basis, and things that don’t stress other people out completely throw me into a panic. I’m glad to hear about someone bringing awareness to it. If I knew anxiety disorders were a thing, I probably would have been diagnosed in junior high.
Anyway, thanks for speaking up, Colton. It’s really, really hard to be an ambitious person and deal with anxiety. It means that you are constantly pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone without really knowing how you will react.
Also, hello Hecate!
I had a seizure in March and the tech preparing me for an EEG told me that he has anxiety too, but he just makes himself do the things he doesn’t want to do. I’ve heard it so many times that I just laughed and said “yes, everyone feels anxious sometimes, the difference is that you’re able to confront it!” So many people confuse feeling anxious with elevated/chronic anxiety. It’s like saying “I felt sad when my grandpa died, you just have to pick yourself up by the bootstraps!” to a person with depression.
I know! It took physical symptoms for me to realize that what I was feeling was not normal. Panic attacks, chest pains, etc. I make myself do things I don’t want to do all the time. I do it everyday! Sometime I push myself into an uncomfortable situation and I’m glad I did it. Maybe it even makes me feel better. Sometimes, though, I shut down completely and have trouble speaking or have trouble not crying or passing out. It’s really, really hard to accept that sometimes, even though you know you SHOULD do something, you really and truly are not able to and it is okay to rest.
I agree with you but I have struggled with both anxiety and depression and in terms of people’s reactions to it, I will take anxiety every time!
At least people are supportive when you tell them you have an anxiety disorder, even if it is based on a misunderstanding of just how overwhelming and life-stunting an anxiety disorder can be. People shun you if you tell them you have clinical depression – they act like it’s contagious…both suck, but I would rather be anxious than depressed.
PennyLane, I agree they both suck. You know, I experience both as well, but I’m far more likely to tell people when I am suffering from depression than anxiety, I don’t know why. I guess I feel like more people have an understanding of what depression is about, and I worry that the reaction to the anxiety will be exactly what KB describes because people really don’t seem to get it. As a result, I think the anxiety is the one that causes me more suffering.
While no substitute for therapy and/or medication, I find that light background noise helps. I always have a fan going at home and have a white noise machine on at night. It’s soothing and it’s sort of like just enough to keep that part of your brain occupied enough to silence it a bit w/o being intrusive. There’s also pink noise and brown noise. Check out http://www.simplynoise.com. I keep the pink noise on all day at work. At low volume, you don’t really consciously notice it, but I find it helpful for soothing and concentration at work. I have partners in my office all the time and they don’t even hear it.
p.s. that coral suit he’s rocking is everything.
It really heartens me when celebrities speak out about their personal struggle with anxiety, as it is often closeted and a subject of shame and ridicule. Their willingness to speak encourages me to do so. Anxiety is a crippling and debilitating thing, and it’s good to know we’re not alone.