Little Mix star Perrie Edwards has revealed her mental health condition became so severe last year that she "could barely leave the house". The 32-year-old singer experienced devastating agoraphobia towards the end of 2024.
Edwards was appointed as an ambassador for mental health charity Mind earlier this year. She has been championing awareness around conditions like agoraphobia and panic attacks.
Devastating impact on daily life
The BRIT Award winner disclosed she has a habit of "catastrophising" everyday situations. She battled to leave the home she shares with fiancé Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and their son.
Edwards said: "At the end of last year my agoraphobia got so bad I could barely leave the house." She explained she can't help but catastrophise over routine tasks like driving to London.
The singer described feeling "empowered" on stage but admitted anxiety returns once she's home. Edwards said: "But as soon as I'm back home behind closed doors, that's when the anxiety kicks in and I'm just me again."
Panic disorder development
Edwards' condition developed after she experienced severe panic attacks following a caffeine shot incident in Las Vegas with her bandmates. Her first panic attack occurred after consuming an over-the-counter energy supplement during the trip.
Edwards said: "I honestly thought I was having a heart attack from whatever was in I.T." She recalled pacing around her hotel room before eventually ending up in hospital.
The experience became a trigger that caused her anxiety to skyrocket. Edwards said: "After that incident, I just kept having them like again and again."
Living with constant fear
Edwards has developed panic disorder, which she describes as "the fear of having a panic attack". She never stays home alone due to fear of dying during an episode without help available.
Edwards explained: "I then developed like a fear of having one again. So I was like, if I'm on my own and I have a panic attack, I might die, and nobody will be here to help." When asked if she ever stays home alone, she responded: "No, never. Never! I'm always with somebody. Because I just ... I don't like the feeling of feeling like I'm gonna die."
Innovative therapy approach
Edwards has tried various therapeutic approaches to manage her condition. She revealed: "Last year, maybe in September, I started to take my therapist to work with me, which I know is a very privileged situation."
Edwards described this approach using her exact words: "It's the best thing I've ever done." The therapist can guide her through any panic episode immediately when they occur.
She revealed she's now "trying to be at peace" with her anxiety rather than dreading potential panic episodes. Edwards acknowledged that while she has coping techniques, "everything goes out the window" when an attack strikes.
Sources used: "Daily Record", "Mirror" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
