Lewis Capaldi’s Mental Health Journey

Lewis Capaldi issued a warning to his fans about the possibility of taking a break from the public eye after experiencing vocal issues that jeopardized his Glastonbury performance. Despite his struggles, a supportive crowd came to his aid by singing his chart-topping hit “Someone You Loved” while he remained mostly silent on stage.

Addressing the audience, Capaldi expressed his plans for a potential hiatus in the coming weeks, following his three-week break for rest and recovery before the festival. He stated, “So you probably won’t see much of me for the rest of the year, maybe even longer. But when I do return and have the chance to see you all, I hope you’ll still be enthusiastic about watching my performances.”

This announcement now raises concerns regarding the singer’s scheduled appearances for the summer, including slots at the Reading and Leeds Festivals, as well as two shows in Edinburgh.

Lewis Capaldi’s health issues trace back to the onset of the pandemic when he returned to his hometown during the Covid lockdown with the intention of commencing work on his second album. The tremendous success of his debut album, “Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent,” which became the best-selling album in the UK in both 2019 and 2020, heightened the expectations for his sophomore release. The mounting pressure began to take a toll on him, both physically and mentally.

In a Netflix documentary delving into his life, the Scottish singer-songwriter candidly expressed, “Creating the first album was an experience that came remarkably close to realizing my dreams.”

Lewis Capaldi’s Ongoing Battle to Sustain Success

In the documentary “Lewis Capaldi: How I Feel Now,” we witness the remarkable journey of the star, from his humble beginnings in Whitburn, West Lothian, to achieving chart-topping success, sold-out arena tours, and attaining celebrity status. Endearingly self-proclaimed as the “Scottish Beyoncé” and “America’s sweetheart,” Capaldi has captivated a vast social media following with his unfiltered humor and penchant for self-mockery.

Reflecting on his eventful life, Lewis Capaldi amusingly shares with the program makers, “A global pandemic is just one of the top three strange occurrences I’ve experienced in the last three years.” This intimate documentary sheds light on Capaldi’s ongoing struggle to meet the immense expectations and replicate the triumph of his debut album, as he navigates the complexities of maintaining his success in the face of constant scrutiny and pressure.

In addition to chronicling Lewis Capaldi’s remarkable rise to fame, the documentary also delves into the profound impact that rapid success has had on his mental well-being. The artist grapples with panic attacks, a shoulder twitch, and receives a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome, highlighting the toll fame has taken on him.

The film also delves into Lewis Capaldi’s battle with “imposter syndrome,” which persists despite receiving a heartfelt email from Elton John praising his ability to craft “beautiful songs that resonate with millions.” Reading the email aloud, Capaldi candidly expresses, “It’s nice, but I still can’t shake the feeling of being an imposter. I don’t think it will ever fade away.”

Throughout the documentary, Lewis Capaldi shoulder twitch appears to intensify as he faces the daunting task of creating his second album. Wrestling with self-doubt and lacking confidence in his own abilities, he collaborates with other songwriters remotely, starting with Zoom sessions from his parents’ garden shed before venturing to London and Los Angeles.

The documentary provides an intimate look into Capaldi’s mental health struggles and his ongoing journey to overcome imposter syndrome while navigating the pressures and uncertainties of the music industry.

Lewis Capaldi sets a lofty benchmark for himself, constantly comparing his work to the phenomenal success of his breakout single, “Someone You Loved,” which topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. Paradoxically, he admits that his confidence as a songwriter has dwindled as his fame has grown.

His anxiety manifests through a distressing shoulder twitch. Lewis Capaldi reveals to the documentary makers, “The twitch worsens when I sit down to play the piano. It becomes physically painful. I experience breathlessness, intense back pain, and it’s quite frightening.”

In the documentary, Lewis Capaldi openly discusses the panic attacks he endures, leaving him feeling as if he is losing his sanity. “I become completely detached from reality. I struggle to breathe, experience dizziness, and a sensation in my head. I break into a sweat, and my body convulses, mirroring the movements of my shoulder. I fear either being stuck in that state indefinitely or dying.”

During these challenging moments, Lewis Capaldi finds solace in marathon phone conversations with his mother, Carol, who endeavors to calm him down.

To Lewis Capaldi, these physical symptoms are a natural response to the upheaval his life has undergone. He sees them as a reasonable reaction to the intense pressure he faces. He acknowledges, “For me, it’s a completely normal reaction to this. When placed in such a situation, experiencing something like this is almost inevitable, especially for someone who already struggles with anxiety, like I do. The pressure has now reached its peak, and we simply have to confront it.”

The documentary sheds light on Capaldi’s relentless pursuit of excellence, coupled with the profound mental health challenges he faces as a result of his meteoric rise to stardom.

The documentary reveals that a therapist has connected some of Lewis Capaldi’s struggles to the traumatic experiences of losing two close relatives during his childhood, including his aunt, whose tragic suicide inspired his song “Before You Go.” These losses contribute to his anxieties surrounding his own health and mortality.

Lewis Capaldi mother, Carol, acknowledges that her son’s persona extends beyond his comedic facade, stating, “He is not just the comedian we all perceive him to be.” His father, Mark, adds that this duality leads to internal conflict, as the shadows of darkness overshadow the cheerful demeanor, resulting in the manifestation of tics, anxiety, and other challenges he confronts.

Initially resistant to seeking treatment for his debilitating shoulder twitch, Lewis Capaldi eventually prioritized his mental health by pausing the writing and recording process for his second album. It was during this period that he received a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome, a condition characterized by involuntary movements or sounds known as tics. The diagnosis provided a sense of clarity and reassured the self-proclaimed hypochondriac that his symptoms were not indicative of a life-threatening condition.

Lewis Capaldi has been informed that reducing his anxiety levels will significantly alleviate his symptoms. In his efforts to achieve this, he has incorporated medication, exercise, and relatively healthier eating habits into his routine.

The documentary sheds light on the multifaceted nature of Lewis Capaldi’s mental health struggles, delving into his past traumas, familial support, and the steps he is taking to manage his condition and promote well-being.