You’d think that celebrities would be the last people dealing with anxiety issues. Adored by millions, wealthy beyond compare…It should be a stress-free life, right? Wrong. Tackling issues like depression, shame and panic attacks are just as common in their world as they are in ours. Which is why we’re glad that NBA superstar Kevin Love has come forward to humanize this very real disorder.

Love shot to fame as a hoopster for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Always smiling on the court and during interviews, it came as a surprise to many fans when he penned a moving essay about his struggles. Love’s new motto is “open communication,” emphasizing that that these are feeling that they should not keep to themselves.

Of course, it took Love several decades to come to that conclusion. He admitted keeping his feelings hidden from family and friends for over 29 years. Then the struggles became too heavy and Love found solace through therapy and professional support.

“Mental health isn’t just an athlete thing. It’s an everyone thing,” he wrote. “No matter what our circumstances, we’re all carrying around things that hurt — and they can hurt us if we keep them buried inside. Not talking about our inner lives robs us of really getting to know ourselves and robs us of the chance to reach out to others in need. So if you’re reading this and you’re having a hard time, no matter how big or small it seems to you, I want to remind you that you’re not weird or different for sharing what you’re going through. Just the opposite. It could be the most important thing you do. It was for me.“

Not surprisingly, since that essay was released Love has received thousands of emails and messages of support. He has since gone on the talk show circuit (most recently appearing on The TODAY Show), speaking out about how common these feelings truly are.

The Huffington Post also covered the story, illustrating that 18 percent of the American population lives with an anxiety disorder. In truth, anxiety is the most common mental health issue in the country.

We encourage all of our readers who are experiencing these feelings to reach out and seek help. It will feel like a tremendous weight lifted off your shoulders.

To watch more of Kevin’s inspirational story, click below…