zac efron, emmy-award winner and previous teenage heartthrob, says he avoids crowds and prefers to stay at home due to 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.
“i just don’t go out,” efron, 34, told men’s health. “people in large groups, it triggers my agoraphobia.”
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.
“it’s my favourite part of the day. before is when it’s most miserable, and when you finally just commit and jump in there. from that point forward, you’ve conquered something deep within you; you do not want to get cold,” he says. “that’s the simplest philosophy: anything you don’t want to do, make it a habit.”
zac efron reveals he deals with agoraphobia
while there’s an assumption agoraphobia is a fear of crowds, there’s more to it. those with the relatively rare phobia fear an actual or anticipated situation and loss of control. it can occur when using public transportation, being in open or enclosed spaces, standing in line, or being in a crowd.
3 minute read
