Anxiety attacks, PTSD and George Michael
By Liz Lockhart
How sad I was to read that George Michael is reported to be suffering from ‘major anxiety problems’ following his battle with pneumonia last year. George has announced that he will be unable to fulfil his commitment to tour in Australia on this leg of his Symphonica tour.
It is not uncommon for anyone who has had a major physical health scare to react with symptoms similar to PTSD and it would seem that this has been the case for George Michael.
George has released a statement in which he says that he will not be able to tour in Australia. The statement said that ‘it breaks his heart’ to have to cancel at this late stage and also that George underestimated how debilitating this condition can be, despite warnings from doctors.
It is reported that George wrote ‘I have tried in vain to work my way through the trauma that the doctors who saved my life warned me I would experience. They recommended complete rest and the type of post-traumatic counselling which is available in cases like mine but I’m afraid I believed (wrongly) that making music and getting out there to perform for the audiences that bring me such joy would be therapy enough in itself.’
George added ‘unfortunately, I seriously underestimated how difficult this year would be.’
PTSD is often associated with military personnel but any experience of trauma, where a person feels out of control or in fear of their life, can leave lasting impact and symptoms of PTSD. It is helpful then, that when it is experienced, people speak out, educating others that it is not just war that can cause such extreme distress.
Having suffered from this condition myself, I fully understand how debilitating it can be and I hope that George now receives the treatment he needs and makes a full and hasty recovery. Good luck and good health to you George Michael.
For more resources on PTSD please follow the link.
