Deborah Gibson
All of my older sisters were taking piano lessons and singing, and I got my start basically by bugging my parents at age four. They kept telling me I was too young, and that maybe I should wait until I was six or seven. But eventually they gave in when they saw I was learning songs by ear.
From age five through sixteen I started doing a ton of theater, which led to voiceovers. That led to my fascination with recording studios, and suddenly I was composing and arranging the music in my head. At age 12, my mom came home from work to find me with my sister’s tape recorders lined up on the ironing board with my little synthesizer. I was doing my own version of multi-track recording, layering all the parts of the music while I played each part back.
When my mom saw that, she took out a loan and set up a recording studio for me in our house, where I worked on my own music for four years. By the time I arrived at Atlantic Records, I already had 100 finished demos and original songs. They couldn’t believe it. But I knew music! I knew how I wanted my music to sound. It was a matter of convincing them that I knew it – obviously the best way to do that is to have a number one hit! But being the youngest person ever to write, produce, and sing a number one hit song brought a lot of pressure.
The first anxiety attack I had was graduation day. At first I got very dizzy, and thought it was simply from the heat. But when the dizzy spell went away, I felt like I was invisible. It was like having an out of body experience. That feeling would continue for three years, every minute of every day. Graduation day put me into a state of anxiety and depression that would last for three years.
Mind you, throughout this entire time I was headlining Madison Square Garden, headlining stadiums overseas. I was on autopilot, but I wasn’t full able to enjoy it. Eventually I started therapy, but at that point I had experienced so many anxiety attacks that I was starting to panic over having panic attacks. It wasn’t until medication time that I was even able to relax enough to […] address the issues that were causing these attacks to begin with.
Really identifying the problem as anxiety and depression was key. I got to the point where if I wasn’t performing, I was hibernating in my bedroom, eating meals in my bedroom, I wasn’t talking to my friends on the phone. I didn’t feel like myself enough to interact with people. Once I was able to acknowledge what it was, I was able to address it. I was able to get help through therapy and medication. You see a lot of professional children who grow up to have problems, because it’s not a natural thing we’re wired to know how to handle as kids.
You have to treat yourself well – and it’s an ongoing battle for me. But now, I have great care, I know the signs, I can prevent things from happening before they get out of control.
To learn more about Deborah Gibson, please visit her official Web site at www.deborah-gibson.com.
13 Responses to “ Deborah Gibson ”
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June 4th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I am one of Deborah’s biggest fans. I have been since the beginning of her career. I was not aware she suffered with depression though. I started my depression after I had my first child. I brushed it off as post-pardom. I didn’t do anything until after I had my second child. I am now on medication to try and regulate everything. I find it inspiring that Deborah confronted and publically acknowledged it. I think it will help a lot of people. It definately will help me confront it more. Thank you Deborah.
June 8th, 2008 at 9:05 am
I think it is wonderful for a public figure to come out and talk about her depression and anxiety. I experienced it also and didn’t know what was wrong with me. medication has helped me get my life get back on track. by controling the symptoms of anxiety, it allows me to work on the problems and deal with the situations in my life. I had refused medication before and even started it and stopped it. it was a big mistake. no one should feel ashamed of this situation and hearing a person like Debbie Gibson talk about it, is so helful for those who deal with this. I want to really really salute her on that.
June 8th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I once sent Deborah a letter on her website about how her music helped me throughout my own ordeal of depression. However, this is the first time I have heard about her going through the same thing. That is probably why she is so strong right now. “whatever doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger.” By that said, Deborah, I, the people that are presently going through these kind of trials, along with the millions that had experienced the harsh journey have to stick together and battle the circumstances that prevents us from enjoying the life –we deserve.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I experienced panick attacks that begain in my mid-20s and it wasn’t until a few years ago, i was able to get these panic attacks under control. I was told that the best thing was to maybe channel them in a more creative outlet, but the problem was I did not know how to. I wrote songs, but they didn’t reflect my issues and my anxiety. Finally I was put on some medication to help me through the issues that was causing me anxiety and now I can effectively handle situations accordingly.
June 15th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
It was extremely moving to hear of Deborah’s struggles. I have experienced a lifetime of depression and anxiety; Deborah’s music is always there.
June 21st, 2008 at 8:10 am
I never knew that she had this problem at all. I remember listening to her music when I was younger and thinking wow she is so lucky never knowing she was suffering inside. To read this gives me hope that I too will get the help I need and soon with the right treatment feel like my old self again.
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Deborah,
I completely understand what it is like to get panic attacks, as I too, first started with them at age 34. I kept thinking that I was going to faint, my heart would beat fast and I just felt awful, scared and just wanted to be home. I thought it was because I was always dieting and was just light headed from not eating, but they got worse, to the point of not wanting to leave the house, go anywhere, but stay in my room and sleep. I was always happy when night time came around or if it was a rainy day and there was no excuse not to be out and around. I tried all different antidepressants and nothing would work very well, until they finally put me on an MAO inhabitor. Even with this, I still get depression spells where I don’t want to do anything but freeze and stay inside. I work hard at it, but–I may try some of the newer drugs, but that means I will have to go off my medication and had to recently for my 2nd torn meniscus knee operation and it wasn’t easy…
I am hopeful that one of these days I will go back and find a good psychiatrist that can help me find another easier medication to take that will really work–now I am just OK. Your article was wonderful and I am happy that you are doing so well. Depression is miserable, so I understand, Patti
September 27th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I too have this problem. I am sad to talk about it to anyone because they then think that I am “crazy”. Or that I have “issues”. I do in many ways, but I find that when I forget to take my meds that I get into a tornado of anxiety. As long as I feel like eating I am good. As soon as I get that far that I don’t eat that is when I get really upset. Thank you for talking about our lives. It’s our lives everyday.
October 27th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
hi i am also a huge fan of Deborah’s and I am in shock that she has had a tough time growing up in the public’s eye. I always saw her happy and enjoying life I wish her a lot of love and respect for coming forward and sharing her story. I love you Deborah!! YOU ROCK!!!!!!
February 14th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Debbie, thank you for sharing your most private struggles. I too suffer from GAD, we were on our way to our family’s home 6 hrs. away, and only an hour into the trip I started having waves and rushes of heat on the back of my neck, then I thought I was dying, I told my husband that I needed to go to the hospital now. He took me to the ER and I just lost it, they knew exactly what was wrong with me. I was having an anxiety attack. It took me 2 weeks to get close to what was my normal. I thought this was something that was wrong with me. It is comforting to know I am not alone. Thank you for sharing.
March 29th, 2009 at 3:58 am
I was very inspired by Debbie Gibson’s personal testimony on Anxiety! I am a dwm 47, no children, and on SSA Disability for the last two yrs for Severe Depression, Generalized Anxiety, and ADD. Local Doctors have tried numerous medications plus 12 ElectroConvulsive Therapy sessions with no success. Doctors basically consider my illness a medical mystery but are still trying medications. My 75 yrs old mom/dad and a couple of friends are my main support system. I basically live like a recluse due to my embarrassment over my unstable work record over the last 15 yrs and the negative stigma of being on a mental disability. I have even tried emailing the Dr. Phil show numerous times but no response. I was hoping he may have more resources available than local doctors. I am hoping someday my mental health will improve so I can be an inspiration to someone else. Thanks for listening to my story.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Hi Deborah,
I’ve been suffering with anxiety/panic attacks for about 10 years. They started the year before I began college. At first I thought it was Asthma, but these “asthma” attacks were coming frequently, then other symptoms set in, one of the most disturbing was the constant “dream-like” disorientation. It was awful. I was scared of this symptom, which caused even more panic attacks.
I’ve been on medication which has helped tremendously. I am currently seeing a therapist to learn why caused them and how I can treat them.
Thanks for sharing your story with the world. I know it will help others.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Hi Deborah:
Thanks for sharing your experiences with anxiety. I know what you are talking about. I am 55 and I have been struggling with this for many years. I had tried many different medical approaches in the past and in my case this provided little success. Through my church I have finally gotten a handle on it. Besides the debilitating effects of anxiety, the worst part was that people tend to treat you like you are crazy and it is some how your fault that you have this problem. “Get over it” they often say which is a pretty bad to have to hear. I too am a musician and my anxiety often got in the way of fullfilling my career. I am amazed that you could maintain your career on autopilot as you said. Anyway, thank God my life, and your life, has improved. I have a great family and in the day to day stuff I am now able to function normally (whatever that is!). I know what to do if the first signs show up and I can handle it right away. Deborah, you are an inspiration. Keep the faith.