LONDON — Ellie Goulding has spoken out about her struggle with panic attacks at the beginning of her career, and her use of cognitive behavioural therapy to overcome them.

In an interview with Canadian fashion magazine FLARE, the singer said cognitive behavioural therapy helped her to learn to cope with her "debilitating" panic attacks.

"I was skeptical at first because I’d never had therapy, but not being able to leave the house was so debilitating. And this was when my career was really taking off," Goulding told FLARE editor-in-chief Cameron Williamson.

The cover of the latest issue of FLARE, featuring Goulding. Image: flare

"My surroundings would trigger a panic attack, so I couldn’t go to the studio unless I was lying down in the car with a pillow over my face. I used to beat myself up about it," said Goulding.

The NHS defines a panic attack as "a rush of intense anxiety and physical symptoms", which can include nausea, what feels like an irregular or racing heartbeat, and trembling.

CBT is a form of "talking therapy" commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and depression, which involves talking to a therapist about specific difficulties and setting goals in order to improve the way you feel.

Asked if she still has panic attacks, Goulding said that she was concerned that her panic attacks had returned following the release of her last album.

"There were a couple of times after I released Delirium when I was doing promo and thought, Oh god, it’s coming back, it’s coming back, but it didn’t," she said.

"I think my body has become quite good at controlling anxiety," Goulding continued.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.