Colton Haynes: 'Lifelong anxiety battle has made me an agoraphobic'

Actor Colton Haynes has faced a lifelong battle with severe anxiety, confessing it has turned him into an agoraphobic and cost him various acting jobs.

The Arrow star revealed his struggles with the crippling condition on Twitter.com on Wednesday (02Dec15) after sharing a link to an Upvoted.com article titled, Scientists Show How Anxiety May Affect Social Status.

The piece detailed a study from the Brain Mind Institute in Switzerland, where researchers found that "chronic anxiety might lead to lower social status - and even trap sufferers there indefinitely".

"For those of you who are suffering with intense anxiety...ur (sic) not alone," Colton tweets after posting the link.

He went on to open up about his own anxiety problems, confessing they have been a "constant struggle" since he was a kid and have landed him in hospital on multiple occasions.

"Anxiety had put me in the hospital a countless amount of times," he continues in a series of posts. "Whether it be fainting, hyperventilating, or seizures...I've been through it.

"Just know ur (sic) not alone and it affects more ppl (people) than you would ever know. We can overcome this. We can fight thru (sic) it and will."

"I've quit jobs because of anxiety, flaked on social events, family gatherings, birthdays, important movie/work tests," he adds. "Its (sic) a serious problem."

Colton, 27, concludes his candid comments by urging others to try and understand the troubles 40 million American adults face as a result of anxiety disorders, admitting his own problems have sometimes made him a prisoner in his own home.

"Be there for those who struggle with anxiety & realize its a serious disorder," he writes. "Its not a case of 'being dramatic.' It's a life long struggle. Love those suffering. Anxiety has caused me to be extremely agoraphobic & livin in constant fear of leavin my house at times. Ur not alone."