Drxclusive's Blog™: Selena Gomez taking a break to treat anxiety, depression caused by lupus

Selena Gomez is taking much-needed time off.
The singer-actress has announced she's stepping away from the limelight to deal with the anxiety, panic attacks and depression caused by her lupus diagnosis, reports People magazine.

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2014 file photo, Selena Gomez performs on stage at the 42nd annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles. The Weeknd, One Direction and Selena Gomez are among the acts slated to perform on the 11-date Jingle Ball tour this December. IHeartRadio announced Monday, Oct. 5, that the tour will kick off Dec. 1 in Dallas.The Dec. 11 show at New York’s Madison Square Garden will stream on Yahoo! and air as a 90-minute special on the CW Network on Dec. 17. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)

 

"As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways," Gomez, 24, told People in a statement. "I've discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges."

The "Good For You" singer, who just finished touring the globe on her Revival World Tour, said she needed to put her health first.
"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," Gomez said in her statement. 

 When Gomez revealed her diagnosis in 2015, she brought attention to lupus, a relatively rare disease that affects 1.5 million people in the U.S, striking women far more often than men. An autoimmune disease, lupus can attack any part of the body including the joints, skin, kidneys and lungs. 

The singer told Billboard magazine she'd undergone chemotherapy to treat the disease in 2014.
Gomez concluded her statement to People by thanking her fans for their support.
"You know how special you are to me," she wrote, "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 by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues."