Just days after celebrating her 30th birthday, country star LeAnn Rimes checked herself into an outpatient rehab facility to seek help for emotional issues. LeAnn’s rep says that the singer “voluntarily entered a 30-day in-patient treatment facility to cope with anxiety and stress.”
A Twitter Feud
The Superficial, a Los Angeles-based gossip website, reports that Rimes has been struggling with stress thanks in part to cyber bullying and an ongoing Twitter feud with two women. The women are identified as fans of Brandi Glanville, the ex-wife of Rimes’ current husband Eddie Cibrian.
According to People.com, the two women are angry that Rimes and Cibrian began their love affair when Cibrian was still married to Glanville. This anger escalated into an ongoing Twitter feud. At one point, Rimes reportedly called the women to discuss the matter further. The women illegally recorded the conversation and leaked parts online, leading to Rimes’ emotional meltdown.
While Rimes did not directly discuss the Twitter bullying, she told People magazine that her decision to check into rehab is based on her recognition that she needed emotional help. “This is just a time for me to emotionally check out for a second and take care of myself and come back in 30 days as the best 30-year-old woman I can be,” Rimes said to People.
Rehab can be helpful for individuals who are struggling with emotional challenges, including anxiety. Addressing emotional problems can help reduce the risk of drug abuse, eating disorders, and other unhealthy means of coping with stress and anxiety.
Cyberbullying causes psychological and emotional stress that is similar to real-life bullying. However, unlike real-life bullying, there is no escape. Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites are always “on”. Cyber bully-victims like Rimes can struggle to disengage and find positive ways to cope with their anxiety.
Not Just a Problem for the Stars…
Rimes’ struggles with cyberbullying and stress are an important reminder that cyberbullying can affect everyone, including young students, teenagers, and adults. According to DoSomething.org, an online advocacy group that runs “The Bully Project”, nearly one out of every two teenagers has been bullied online. Teenagers who are bullied are at increased risk of experimenting with drugs and alcohol as ways to cope with the stress and anxiety caused by bullying.
Rimes’ decision to seek rehab now – rather than allowing her anxiety and stress to escalate – is a positive choice. The singer told People, “All the things in my life will be there when I get out, but you know what? I’m hoping they’re not going to affect me as much. I’ll have the tools to know how to deal with them.”
If you or someone you know is overwhelmed with anxiety or stress, seeking assistance now can help reduce the risk for future substance abuse problems
Resources
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961