Yahoo News Arrow star Stephen Amell opens up about panic attack during podcast
Arrow star Stephen Amell has shared a harrowing experience of suffering a panic attack while recording a podcast.
The actor – who is wrapping up the final season of his show following the Crisis on Infinite Earths miniseries – recently appeared on former Smallville actor Michael Rosenbaum's podcast Inside of You in an interview that took a difficult turn.
In an episode released on Tuesday (January 21), Rosenbaum explained that he was in the middle of chatting with Amell last month about the actor being "mentally exhausted" with the end of Arrow after eight years.
"My wife forced me to go to the doctor's today because she thought something was wrong with me," he admitted to Rosenbaum. "She got really mad at me, and she told me to get my shit together. And that really got to me."
He also recalled: "I need to mentally reset… I just feel like I've been trying to do things for people for the last eight years, and I need a f**king break."
Rosenbaum shut down the interview at the time in order for Amell to seek help for the panic attack. The Arrow star returned weeks later to explain what he had been going through.
"I did Rosey's podcast after Arrow ended," he tweeted on Tuesday. "We had to cut it short because I had a full on panic attack. It wasn't pretty.
"I came back a few weeks ago to chat about it. I was in a really bad spot and I'm happy to report that I'm doing much better."
I did Rosey’s podcast after Arrow ended. We had to cut it short because I had a full on panic attack. It wasn’t pretty. I came back a few weeks ago to chat about it. I was in a really bad spot and I’m happy to report that I’m doing much better. Listen please :) https://t.co/bpnUDqtQZN
— Stephen Amell (@StephenAmell) January 21, 2020
In his follow-up interview, Amell explained that he was treated by an IV service at his home following his panic attack because he felt "totally out".
He also acknowledged feeling completely burnt out after eight years on Arrow, explaining that his final season on the show was mostly motivated by money.
"I had a blast but I was there for the money more so," he admitted. "For love and money but more so money."
Rosenbaum praised him at numerous points in their follow-up chat for speaking openly and honestly about anxiety and exhaustion.
Arrow season 8 airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW in the US. In the UK, it airs on Sky One and NOW TV.
We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov.
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