Eden Alene Reveals Struggles With Anxiety, Depression After Eurovision
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Israeli singer Eden Alene has revealed she suffered severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts after representing Israel at Eurovision in 2021. The 26-year-old singer experienced debilitating anxiety attacks, leading her to quit performing and work menial jobs. After seeking professional help and returning to formal music studies, Alene is now recovering and preparing to release new music.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Singer Eden Alene experienced severe anxiety and depression after her 2021 Eurovision performance.
- She suffered from daily suicidal thoughts and a critical low weight of 36 kilograms.
- Alene stopped performing and worked various jobs due to financial and mental health struggles.
- She is now recovering after returning to formal music studies at Rimon School.
- Alene is set to release a new song titled "Four Years" next week.
Singer Eden Alene, who represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021, has opened up about a severe mental health crisis she experienced following her peak success. Alene, 26, revealed in an interview that after returning from Eurovision, she began suffering from intense existential anxiety attacks that led her to stop performing. She described the period as a "rollercoaster," rating her lowest point as "minus ten" on a scale of one to one hundred.
Alene, who previously won "X Factor" and "The Next Star," struggled with sudden fame even in her teenage years. After Eurovision, the anxiety attacks intensified, causing her to lose consciousness during one performance, which prompted her decision to quit performing. She moved back to her mother's home in Kiryat Gat, where her mental state deteriorated further. She began using large amounts of cannabis, believing it would help her anxiety, but found it exacerbated her symptoms. She also started drinking alcohol, lost her appetite, and her weight dropped to a critical 36 kilograms (approximately 79 pounds). Alene confessed to experiencing daily suicidal thoughts and having formulated a plan to harm herself.
Her family took her to a hospital in Be'er Sheva, and after consulting with a psychiatrist, she was prescribed medication for depression and anxiety. Her mother provided constant support during this difficult time, taking time off work to be with her. Alongside her mental health struggles, Alene faced financial difficulties due to the halt in performances and recordings, leading her to work in various jobs, including a restaurant and a jeans store, where she felt embarrassed by being recognized.
Alene's path to recovery began after a friend suggested she formally study music. She enrolled in the Rimon School of Music, focusing on production, writing, and composition. This experience revitalized her, and she began performing again without experiencing anxiety. She is now in a healthy relationship and is preparing to release a new song titled "Four Years" next week. Alene hopes to build her music career at her own pace, creating her own music, and dreams of connecting with audiences through her songs.
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