"What if they come suddenly..." Lee Byung-hun's confession engulfed in fear: "Feeling completely exposed"

"Stage Fright Due to the Fear of Panic Disorder"
Occurs Without Warning... Experiences of Extreme Anxiety and Physical Symptoms

Recently, actor Lee Byung-hun revealed that he feels burdened by live broadcasts due to panic disorder, drawing increased attention to the panic disorder experienced by many celebrities.

On the YouTube channel ‘Pinggyego’ released on the 15th, Lee Byung-hun explained how he came to appear on the 2021 variety show ‘SNL Korea,’ stating, “I have stage fright. Because of the fear related to panic disorder, I feel burdened by being on stage or live broadcasts.”

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He confessed, “The moment I say ‘This is Lee Byung-hun,’ I feel as if I am completely exposed, and I start to experience shortness of breath.” Besides Lee Byung-hun, celebrities such as Kim Gura, Jung Hyung-don, Kim Jang-hoon, Lee Kyung-kyu, and Yoon Jong-shin have also revealed that they have suffered from panic disorder.

Panic disorder is a condition where severe anxiety and physical symptoms suddenly appear without any specific reason.

The core symptom is panic attacks, which occur without warning. They are accompanied by palpitations (tachycardia), shortness of breath, chest tightness, and extreme anxiety. These symptoms usually last for 20 to 30 minutes, and it is rare for them to continue for more than an hour, but patients experience a fear as if they are going to die.

Mental symptoms include extreme fear and anxiety, loss of reality, and decreased concentration. Additionally, because it tends to be chronic, it can interfere with daily life due to the fear that attacks will recur, as experienced by Lee Byung-hun.

Actor Lee Byung-hun, who confessed to experiencing panic disorder [Image source=YouTube channel 'Pinggego' capture]

Panic disorder often occurs in late adolescence to early adulthood. Generally, 30 to 40% of patients see their symptoms disappear, and about half have mild symptoms.

Experts advise that early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can speed up recovery, so it is important to start treatment early.

Also, since it often coexists with other mental disorders such as depressive disorder, these should be considered during treatment. Medication such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are effective treatments for panic disorder.