zac efron reveals he deals with agoraphobia

in the revealing interview with men’s health , efron talks candidly about his agoraphobia, which is an anxiety disorder where you fear and avoid places or situations that might make you feel trapped or helpless, like being in crowds or sometimes even leaving your home.

efron, whose film the greatest beer run ever comes out september 30, has a new health and fitness outlook where he’s committed to a more holistic approach, including stretching and self-massage. he does foam-rolling before training and before bed, and ice-bathing.

zac efron reveals he deals with agoraphobia

the anxiety is caused by fear that there’s no simple escape or way to get help if the anxiety intensifies, according to the mayo clinic . often, agoraphobia develops after individuals experience panic attacks in public places. this creates the fear or worry of having another attack, and can lead patients to avoid the places where it may happen again.

f or agoraphobia to be considered as a diagnosis, the agoraphobic situations must almost always create fear and anxiety that is out of proportion to the actual danger possible, according to psychology today . the distress typically lasts for a minimum of six months, and its most severe form, people are unable to leave their homes.

approximately 1.3 per cent of the u.s. population will experience agoraphobia at some point in their lives, with 0.9 per cent of the population having experienced it in the past year, as reported by the national institute of mental health . the rate is slightly higher for females and initial onset is usually in late adolescence or early adulthood, although agoraphobia can occur in childhood as well.

genetics play a role in developing agoraphobia

treatments can help ‘escape the trap’

agoraphobia treatment can be challenging because it often involves confronting your fears. but psychotherapy and medications have proven highly successful, allowing people to “escape the trap of agoraphobia and live a more enjoyable life,” according to the mayo clinic .

agoraphobia in the spotlight

“there are times i remember before i walked on stage,” osmond told cbs news in 2000,  “where if i had the choice of walking on stage or dying, i would have chosen death.”