Isabela Merced on Her Experiences with Panic Attacks

Isabela Merced is on the fast track in Hollywood. The American actress recently played a young woman with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive neuroses.

She revealed in an interview that she can identify with the role more than she would like. The American actress has transformed from a child star into a serious Hollywood actress. In the romantic film "All the Bright Places," she currently takes on the role of Aza Holmes, who suffers from anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive neuroses.

In a recent interview, Isabela shared how she deals with her own panic attacks. She discovered her passion for acting at the tender age of seven. At ten, she made her Broadway debut.

This was followed by roles in various Nickelodeon productions. The 23-year-old has since made the leap to the big screen, appearing alongside Mark Wahlberg in "Instant Family" and Dakota Johnson in "Madame Web." Now, she has taken on the title role in the film drama "All the Bright Places" (available on Sky and WOW).

In the film (original title: "Turtles All the Way Down"), which is based on John Green's 2017 novel, Merced plays 16-year-old Aza Holmes, who suffers from anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive neuroses and seeks help from a therapist. In an interview with the agency teleschau, the actress revealed that she can identify with her film role. "When I feel lonely or have panic attacks, I tense certain muscles in my body until they cramp up.

To counteract this, I often use a stress ball to distract myself. If that doesn't help or if I'm on set, I try to breathe deeply in and out," Isabela explained. She added thoughtfully, "The problem is: no panic attack is the same. I'm often at a loss and don't know how to get through it." A major support for the 23-year-old? "I frequently meet with a life coach in private.

Sometimes I also go to therapy. But I have to admit: I have a strange relationship with therapy. I trust my life coach much more because he's known me since I was nine years old." In the interview with teleschau, the star openly added: "My coach is the one who has always supported me both personally and professionally. He simply knows me best, and that's what makes good therapy in the end. I believe that everyone can benefit from the right therapy!"