Selena Gomez suffering from 'depression and anxiety'

31 August 2016 - 15:48 By TMG Entertainment
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As US pop star Selena Gomez prepares to wrap up her world tour, the star has announced that she will be taking a break from the spotlight to deal with depression and anxiety, caused by her battle with lupus.

In a statement issued by the star to US Today, Selena spoke candidly about her battle with the illness and admitted that living with the condition can present its own challenges.

"As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways. I've discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges," Selena said.

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This has led to Selena taking time out to focus on her health.

"I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off," she added.

Selena's management later told People that the star "feels relieved that she can now make more sense of why she was feeling the way she was and is optimistic about the future".

The star last year told Billboard that her much-publicised 2014 break from the spotlight was to allow her to undergo chemotherapy for the condition.

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"I was diagnosed with lupus, and I’ve been through chemotherapy. That’s what my break was really about. I could’ve had a stroke. I wanted so badly to say, ‘You guys have no idea. I’m in chemotherapy. You’re assholes.’ I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again," she told the publication last year.

Selena told fans on Tuesday that her latest break will allow her to do "everything possible to be my best."

"Thank you to all my fans for your support. You know how special you are to me, but I need to face this head on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best. I know I am not alone and by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues," she said in her statement.

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