Zayn Malik remains open about his anxiety: ‘I’m trying to work through issues’

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Zayn Malik publicly apologized to his fans last year for having to back out of several shows and appearances due to struggles with his anxiety. Meanwhile, he released a solo album, published a book of photos and scored some magazine shoots with his girlfriend, Gigi Hadid. Zayn is a musician and public figure who must remain in the public eye to progress his career. Dealing with anxiety and putting yourself in the spotlight must wreak havoc on a person’s psyche. But Zayn is committed to doing it. That takes some courage. In a new behind-the-scenes video he did for his recent Vogue shoot with Gigi, Zayn discussed how he is dealing with his anxiety and the pitfalls of trying to discuss it openly.

He has been open about his struggle with anxiety. And in a new interview, former One Direction star Zayn Malik has claimed he’s still facing a daily battle with the disorder. In a new behind-the-scenes video for his Vogue cover shoot, the 24-year-old – who pulled out of various gigs last year due to his anxiety – revealed: “I always feel like I’m trying to work through whatever certain issues are around certain subjects.”

The Pillow Talk hitmaker added: “For me personally, it comes from a place of not wanting to come across as an over-arrogant person that takes themselves too seriously. I’m not always trying to be pretentious or say something that is going to change the world, I feel like I’m one voice among millions.” Elaborating further, Zayn described himself as someone who isn’t very “sociable”. He explained: “I’m not a very outgoing social person like in terms of a big group of people. You know when we’re getting ready to put the second album out, people are going to start seeing me a bit more.”

Promising to make more public appearances, Zayn concluded: “I’m exciting for what people will think and I think it’s been a year since I properly showed my face and stuff.” The British star first found fame with One Direction on The X Factor in 2010. Since leaving the group five years later, Zayn has been focusing on his solo career. But the singer’s work was hindered after he pulled out of various concerts around the world because of his anxiety.

[From Hello]

I don’t dislike Zayn by any stretch but I wouldn’t call myself a fan. I appreciate that he’s trying to forge a career after One Direction and going down a few different avenues. I found his comments on being worried how he comes off interesting and truthfully, I’ve rolled my eyes at his comments before. Now I think I might have jumped the gun. However, I’ve always worried about Zayn touring with his anxiety. I suppose I shouldn’t because he sounds like he is looking after his health both mental and physical and has a solid support unit. I think what worries me is that I’ve heard people accuse him of using his anxiety to get out of stuff. I completely believe Zayn when he speaks about being inhibited by it. The fact that he is willing to keep talking about it even after its veracity has been questioned makes him a champion. Disorders are hard enough to deal with, no one should have to prove they are legitimately suffering on top of it.

I still hold out hope for his clothing line. His Zayn X Versus collaboration with Versace is a start. I love his personal style and hope he explores that further in his designs. Something else I learned from his behind-the-scenes is that his grandfather was a Teddy Boy. I would give my eye teeth to be able to claim a Teddy Boy in the family. No wonder I dig Zayn’s fashion so much, it must be genetic. He did speak of working on a second album in this interview so we also have that to look forward to. Not to mention, what will happen between him and former bandmate, Louis Tomlinson. Louis claimed recently that his mother’s dying wish was for him and Zayn to reconcile. As I find that hard to believe, I think somebody *points to Louis* misses their band-buddy. Still, I hope they do work it out. The world is lonely enough right now, we need to grab as many hands as we can for a collective Kumbaya.

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Photo credit: WENN Photos

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16 Responses to “Zayn Malik remains open about his anxiety: ‘I’m trying to work through issues’”

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  1. Jillian says:

    Man I know what’s it like to have anxiety. I’m going through withdrawal because I don’t have insurance and can’t afford it.

    Anxiety is a whole different ballpark. I wish him well.

    • Loopy says:

      I am learning more about anxiety, I used to think that is was people who either abused drugs or alcohol that would get such anxiety,mainly due to withdrawals.

  2. Loopy says:

    Well it would be quite terrible to make up a dying wish,especially from your own mother. He prpobably meant that was one of the things she hoped would happen as she was nearing closer to the end,not that she said it in her last breath.

  3. Scout says:

    Anxiety is beyond our control and it is crippling but there are options for helping to manage it – you owe it to yourself and everyone around you to pursue those options until you find something that works for you. Not everyone has the luxury of constant access to these resources but he does.
    If you can’t fulfill the basic requirements for your job, you would get fired. Maybe it’s time to choose a different avenue because all that you are doing is sabotaging the people around you who work their asses off and none of them have the option of doing a pap stroll with GiGi Hadid to get them work.

    • MMRB says:

      @scout “If you can’t fulfill the basic requirements for your job, you would get fired (…)”

      This is an incredibly uninformed and irresponsible statement to make about a Mental Health issue.

      “Mental Health” comes in many forms and is HIGHLY stigmatized, not only because you can never see a gaping wound, but because they are categorized as a “Mental Health” issue which in its own classification, stigmatize them. People assume you are being lazy or dramatic or seeking attention. However, these Mental Health issues (i.e. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD) are widely considered a disability and are accounted for as such with regard to worker care.

      I suggest that, instead of making such a bold, bland, across the board statement, you educate yourself on a subject, and when you’ve done that, educate your friends, and co-workers and pass that movement on. People that have these Health issues, would much rather not live in a state of debilitation when it rears it’s ugly head. Would you deny the same care and concern and medication to someone who has diabetes?

      • hunter says:

        Maybe YOU need to educate yourself on how entertainment works. When you sell thousands of tickets to a show that employs staff for lighting, sound engineering, backup dancers and more – then pull out at the very last minute due to “anxiety,” perhaps it is time to reconsider the career choices.

        Mental health issues are something to be respected and not ignored. Remaining in a career where you can’t reliably deliver is a poor choice that impacts many many others. I completely agree with Scout.

        Not to mention the likely rumor that Zayn has a drug problem and not anxiety.

  4. Radley says:

    According to what I’ve told by my friend who works in the industry, One Direction is very much still together and acting as a unit in terms of their PR. A bunch of their publicity is totally fabricated and plays off each other’s and it’s done that way to keep the attention of their fanbase. The Zayn/Louis feud is allegedly one of those fabrications. Wouldn’t surprise me at all.

  5. Nicole says:

    Yea I don’t think Louis made that up. By all accounts it seems like the 1D guys all had relationships with the others parents. Im sure she didn’t want Louis to hold any grudges
    I don’t think Zayn is faking his anxiety. I just wonder how he thinks a career in music will go if he can’t play smaller venues. He should give that a hard think in therapy (which I hope he is doing consistently) and if not try a different avenue. He seems like a high function sufferer (as am I) and the problem there is often times you don’t know you’ve hit your limit until you’ve gone past it.

    • Radley says:

      Apparently it’s not Louis or any of them making anything up. They have people to do that for them. They play along for various reasons.

      God, I wish my friend had more gossip on older celebs. The way things operate with the younger ones is pretty sickening and it depresses me.

      • Alleycat says:

        Does your friend also believe in Larry? I’ve seen a lot of fans that are “parties” that believe they have inside information that always turn out to be false. There’s no way they are still working as a group, especially Zayn. The kid literally left the group before they dismantled. They have all signed on to different management.

      • Radley says:

        Who is Larry and why are you asking if I believe in him?? What are fan “parties”? You are speaking a different language. I don’t think I have “inside information”. It’s just idle gossip from a friend who is in a position to know certain things…not everything. Not a big deal.

        Lord when will I learn to not comment on the kids? Never again, I swear. Annoyed.

  6. MM says:

    He should stop using cocaine, it would help.

    • hunter says:

      Not cocaine, heroin. If he had a coke problem he’d probably be amazeballs on stage.

  7. Spike says:

    MMRB I respectfully have to disagree. People do lose their jobs if any health issues affect performance in US. If you’ve had this experience you’re very fortunate.

    I have been transparent about these issues and lost jobs. In 2004 I lived in New Mexico and held a prominent position as an Assistant Director at an academic library.

    My mother developed gangrene in both hands due to an unknown health issue which led to septicemia. She was in the hospital for over 3 months; as close to death 3 times. My sister asked me to come home because my mother wasn’t expected to make it.

    My co-workers, director of the library and department chair were aware of this. I left on Thursday night, came back on Monday with permission. Went in on Tuesday. As soon as I was informed of the situation I disclosed it. Suddenly I was dealing with a hostile environment. HR had five open cases similar practices.

    I worked 60-70 hours a week. My performance did not suffer. My supervisors were routinely received positive feedback re: my performance from peers, students and other departments.

    New Mexico is an employment-at-will state. You can be terminated for no reason without verbal or written warning There is no recourse. When I returned I was fired. HR was at the meeting. The reason given was my absence with permission. I was told I did not have the right to depart. Family Leave didn’t apply cause as I was employed for less than 1 year.

    I became a consultant. You are offered a contract for months to 2 years. However the contract can end for a variety of reasons. I developed a seizure disorder during an engagement . I disclosed to my consulting group and employer. I was told that it wasn’t an problem. My consulting contacted me in the hospital due to a seizure. I was informed that my contract was terminated.

    I try not make a sweeping statements without empirical research. I haven’t walked in someone’s shoes and might not have all the facts.

    • MMRB says:

      I am very sorry to hear that this has happened to you. I may be wrong but you are not referring to a Mental Health Issue? but a Medical Issue? With regard to Mental Health issues, as I don’t live in the USA, I cannot speak to your medical diversity among states, however, and while this still discrimination and inappropriate workplace harassment still happens with medical issues in Canada – there at least is the Human Rights commission, which very firmly directs against discrimination and offers guidelines and support resources for those employers.

      In fact, I was not actually using that as my basis of disgust at the following portion of the comment paragraph “Maybe it’s time to choose a different avenue because all that you are doing is sabotaging the people around you who work their asses off and none of them have the option of doing a pap stroll with GiGi Hadid to get them work.” in which it seems to me, to be considered a choice for people to have anxiety or depression or PTSD, etc and it is these very types of people and those thoughts, that perpetuate the stigma- and diminish its reality.

      No one wakes up and wishes they had anxiety, or one of the other mental health issues, and when they do and it’s on, I assure, they very much really want it to be one of their better days, or not have it at, so they don’t live in constant fear about when it’s going to decide to rear its ugly head. I work my damn ass off, and i have anxiety, depression and PTSD, and guess what, I got it genetically and by doing my job serving my country, but I’m highly educated, I still work and do my best to manage my issues, and live my life. No one I work with or know, has the balls to say I’m sabotaging them, or that I’m being flaky… It’s the reality of my life now. and saying otherwise, is outright discrimination.