Celebrities with Panic Disorders? More Common Than You Think

Earlier this year on KBS 2TV “Human Theater” veteran singer Kim Jang Hoon shocked fans when he revealed that he has been suffering from eight years of panic disorders and a bad case of depression. Although the symptoms have gotten better over time, he still has trouble sleeping at night. However, mental and psychological disorders such as these are not uncommon among celebrities.

Actor Cha Tae Hyun gained attention after he confessed that he had a severe case of panic disorder on SBS “Healing Camp.”  During the filming of “A Prince’s First Love” the symptoms of his condition were at its peak and he would often faint and lose consciousness. His symptoms were exacerbated by the fact that popular drama “Full House” featuring Rain and Song Hye Gyo was airing at the same time his drama and had strong viewer ratings of 20%. This competition gave Cha Tae Hyun an incredible amount of stress.

After consistently taking medications, and with the support from his wife, Cha Tae Hyun has said that he has fully recovered from the disorder.

Actress Kim Ha Neul has also revealed that she had a panic disorder during her filming of movie “Blind.” Not only did she have a panic disorder but she was also suffering from having claustrophobia. The combined affects of her conditions made it difficult for her to be in small spaces and ride airplanes. But she has stated that she is in a stable state as of now.

Shinhwa member Jun Jin stated during an interview that he took medication for depression for almost a year and a half. This was also when he found out that he was also suffering from panic disorder. Obsessed with the worry that someone would harm him, Jun Jin revealed that he always kept a wooden sword and even a baseball bat in his car. This disorder caused him to almost leave Shinhwa.

Talent Ha Yoo Mi had a case of panic disorder that made her tongue and face muscles freeze while she was in the midst of extensive foreign travel, and other stars such as Ha Dong Gyun (Wanted), and Choi Jong Won (UN) have said to have had some degree of the disorder.

Often unpredictable, there is no clear instigator or cause behind sudden occurrences of panic disorders or panic attacks. However, it is known to appear under significant amounts of stress. Due to recent drama “Protect the Boss,” Ji Sung‘s character who had a bad case of panic disorders, brought attention and awareness to the condition. An expert has stated that celebrities are more susceptible to panic disorders because of high levels of stress they receive from competition, and always being exposed to the public, which creates a very unstable emotional and mental state.

From taking IV fluids, being rushed to emergency rooms, reports of suicide and now panic disorders, what do you think these things are telling us about the work environments for celebrities or are these conditions something celebrities just have to live with?