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.
6 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.