LeAnn Rimes and Other Stars Open Up About Anxiety Struggle

Celebs open up about their battles with anxiety.

ByABC News
August 31, 2012, 1:00 PM

Sept. 3, 2012— -- intro: Country singer LeAnn Rimes announced Thursday she checked into a treatment center, seeking help for anxiety and stress.

"LeAnn has voluntarily entered a 30-day inpatient treatment facility to cope with anxiety and stress," her rep, Marcel Pariseau, told ABC News in a statement, while confirming People magazine's report Thursday. "While there will be speculation regarding her treatment, she is simply there to learn and develop coping mechanisms. While privacy isn't expected, it's certainly appreciated."

Anxiety is among the most common disorders suffered by Americans, but many people have difficulty opening up about their struggle. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety.

Rimes is the most recent celebrity to open up about her struggle with anxiety. Click through to see more stars who have spoken out about their battles.

quicklist: 1title: Emma Stonetext:In the last year, Stone has become America's golden girl, staring in major films including "The Help," "Crazy. Stupid. Love" and "The Amazing Spider-Man." But the actress opened up to Vogue in its July issue about her history with panic attacks that began when she was eight years old.

"I was just kind of immobilized by it," she told the magazine.

"I didn't want to go to my friends' houses or hang out with anybody, and nobody really understood."

After years of therapy, Stone, 23, was able to work through her fears and start her acting career, but she still gets attacks from time to time. She recently told Interview magazine about her anxiety in filming "Easy A," her first leading role. The actress admitted she has never seen the film because it brings back bad memories of her anxiety.

"I was a wreck during that. I didn't sleep much," she said in Interview magazine. "I remember the day I wrapped 'Easy A.' Getting into the car as the sun was coming up because it had been a night shoot... It felt like a house had been lifted off of me. I felt a great deal of pressure making that movie, because in my personal life at the time, too, things were just... It was like a hurricane."media: 17127875

quicklist: 2title: Paula Deentext: Paula Deen, the famous chef, opened up in May about her battle with anxiety, which kept her from leaving her house for weeks at a time. That kind of anxiety, called agoraphobia, gave her panic attacks. She said she became terrified of dying after the death of both of her parents.

"I would have panic attacks and my arms would go numb and you feel like you're having a heart attack," Deen told Entertainment Tonight. "And I kept a brown bag next to me at all times so I could quickly breathe in it. It's just a fear that would come over you like no other."

Deen said prayer and spiritual reflection helped her work through her battle with anxiety.media: 17128012

quicklist: 3title: Vinny Guadagninotext: Guadagnino was always seen on "Jersey Shore" fist-pumping and bringing girls home to the "smush room," but he got serious on a January episode of the MTV hit when he admitted he was dealing with a lifelong struggle with clinical anxiety. His battle with anxiety forced him to the leave the show temporarily and return home to Staten Island.

Guadagnino opened up about his battle with anxiety last April in his tell-all book, "Control the Crazy: My Plan to Stop Stressing, Avoid Drama, and Maintain Inner Cool." The reality star shares tips on how to handle anxiety and why he decided to talk about his disorder.

"Part of healing and going through life in general is getting through tough things," Guadagnino told MTV. "No matter how tough it was — I don't care if it was the worst experience of my life at the time — getting through it is an accomplishment."media: 17127808

quicklist: 4title: Heather Lockleartext: Locklear checked into an Arizona medical center for treatment for her battle with anxiety and depression in 2008.

"Heather has been dealing with anxiety and depression. She requested an in-depth evaluation of her medication and entered into a medical facility for proper diagnosis and treatment," Locklear's rep told People magazine. "This is a confidential medical matter and no further statement will be released."

As part of her treatment, Locklear rode horses, received therapeutic spa treatments and had quiet meals alone, People reported.media: 17127858

quicklist: 5title: Donny Osmondtext: Osmond was never a stranger to show business. His career in the limelight began at when he was five years old, singing on the "Andy Williams Show." But the singer struggled to transition into adult stardom. In his 2006 memoir, he opened up about his battle with anxiety after all his years in the spotlight.

"With success came an ever-growing burden of responsibility," Osmond wrote. "I lived with a near-constant low-level anxiety that I would make a mistake that would not only threaten my career, but also my brothers' — not to mention the livelihoods of many people who work with us or for us."

He later talked to Dr. Phi about his panic attacks. He said some would leave him in the corner of a room in a fetal position.

"I had to seek professional help and medication," he says. "But it never leaves you because it's part of your personality. I've learned not to beat myself up about it. It's OK to make a mistake."media: 17128114