They have fame and money, but big stars keep talking about how much they suffer from their fame. That's behind it.
Lady Gaga (34, "A Star Is Born") just spoke openly about her mental health problems in a moving interview with the US broadcaster CBS. Among other things, she revealed that at times she could not cope with being famous. She even gave up at times: "I hated being a star. I felt drained and used up." Why celebrities often struggle with mental health problems, explains psychologist Dr. Eva Wlodarek, known from the YouTube channel "Dr. Wlodarek Life Coaching", in an interview with spot on news.
Big stars keep talking about how much they suffer from their fame and intrusive fans. "It's like I'm an object and not a person," said Lady Gaga now. What happens to people who are under constant surveillance in public and who are followed at every turn?
Dr. Eva Wlodarek: For our mental health it is necessary that we can retire from time to time to refuel. We need time out and places where we can be ourselves without any demands. After all, none of us have to go to the bakery in great style every day. Famous stars don't have that freedom. The constant compulsion to appear perfect is psychological stress. In addition, a real encounter with other people is hardly possible because a star is not perceived as a real person, but as an object of worship or as a projection surface for the wishes and dreams of his fans. To be constantly "misunderstood" in this way is painful.
What psychological ailments can this lead to?
Wlodarek: People in the spotlight have to deliver regularly or they will lose their fans. In addition, they are mostly caught in the mills of their management, which often drives them mercilessly. Or they drive themselves. In the long run, the excessive demands can lead to depression, e.g. Robbie Williams has experienced suicidal thoughts. Before performing, the pressure often shows up as panic attacks or anxiety attacks.
Does social media act as an additional catalyst for this problem?
Wlodarek: Not only is your star's performance interesting for the fan base, they also want to be part of his private life. He or she is expected to fulfill this desire on social media. Or the fans themselves post snapshots from unwanted proximity. Another piece of privacy is lost and the pressure increases.
Not all great artists look like extroverted personalities, but they still face an audience of millions. What do you have to bring with you to cope with this?
Wlodarek: Interestingly enough, some introverted artists report that the stage helps them shed their shyness. Their role gives them security. Outside they are reluctant again. A certain self-confidence is required in any case. Morbid stage fright, which has to do with fear of failure, makes every appearance a torture. For example, the British singer Adele, a megastar after all, admits how terribly she suffers from it.
Addiction problems also seem to be common among big stars. Are you more at risk than the average consumer?
Wlodarek: Ordinary people also experience high levels of pressure, for example at work. Certainly some of them then take pills, alcohol or other drugs. It is perhaps more obvious with celebrities, precisely because they are under constant surveillance. But it may well be that the circumstances make them particularly predestined for it. For many, fame comes too soon or too quickly, others cannot handle the enormous amount of attention or are unstable.
Do Banksy or Cro get it right with his mask, which is hiding its true face from the public?
Wlodarek: The question is what motive is behind the anonymity or masking. You can also hide yourself to appear more interesting and stand out from the competition. The side effect, however, is that you have peace of mind in private because you are not recognized. But then these artists cannot openly enjoy their fame. Everything has it's price.