(Courtesy: from The News International, Credit: by Christina Harrold, Dated: 01 February 2024)

 

Emma Stone discusses how counseling assisted her in managing her child anxiety.

In a recent interview with National Public Radio (NPR), actress Emma Stone opened up about her experience with childhood anxiety and how therapy played a pivotal role in helping her navigate those challenging times.

Stone, known for her roles in "Poor Things" and "La La Land," shared that she first sought therapy around the age of eight due to the difficulty she faced in leaving the house to go to school. The 35-year-old actress spoke candidly about living in fear of panic attacks, recounting her first experience with a panic attack at the tender age of seven.

Reflecting on the challenges of reasoning with oneself at such a young age, Stone acknowledged, "It's a hard age to be able to reason with yourself, at 7 or 8, and tell yourself these things aren't true." She emphasized the difficulty of convincing herself otherwise during those early years.

Despite the hurdles, Stone began her acting career at the age of 11, attributing the art to providing a constructive outlet for her intense emotions. She expressed that all of her "big feelings are productive, and presence is required" in the creative process.

Sharing her perspective on anxiety, Stone revealed, "I've told a lot of younger people that struggle with anxiety, that in many ways I see it as kind of a superpower." She highlighted the uniqueness of individuals with anxiety, explaining that having a different amygdala response or an altered fight-or-flight reaction doesn't make it wrong or bad. Instead, she views it as having tools to manage and channel that energy.

Stone likened anxiety to rocket fuel, describing it as a force that propels individuals to take action. She emphasized the positive aspect of using the intense energy associated with anxiety for creative and passionate pursuits. In her words, "Anxiety is like rocket fuel because you can't help but get out of bed and do things, do things, do things because you've got all of this energy within you. And that's really a gift."