Grammy-winning singer Kimbra, 32, reveals her mental health battle

New Zealand singer-songwriter Kimbra has revealed her struggles with anxiety and depression.

The 32-year-old musician, who is best known for collaborating with Gotye on his 2012 global hit Somebody That I Used to Know, spoke about her mental health battles in an Instagram post on Monday.

Kimbra, whose full name is Kimbra Lee Johnson, said she ‘wants to give up’ some days and also revealed she experiences ‘panic attacks’.  

Struggles: Kiwi singer Kimbra, who is best known for collaborating with Gotye on his 2012 hit Somebody That I Used to Know, has revealed her struggles with anxiety and depression

‘Anyone who is close to me knows I have struggled with this for a long time and continue to be visited by chronic seasons of both [depression and anxiety] throughout my life,’ she wrote.

Kimbra, who was sharing her story for Mental Health Awareness Month, said she finds it hard to talk about her problems because it might ‘bring people down’.

‘[We don’t speak out because] we don’t want to bring people down, or attract attention to the parts of our lives that are confused, sad, dark and difficult to resolve,’ she said.

‘Anyone who is close to me knows I have struggled with this for a long time’: The 32-year-old musician spoke about her mental health battles in an Instagram post on Monday  

The Grammy winner, who is known for her quirky and upbeat style of music, went on to say she feared disappointing fans with her personal struggles.  

‘I don’t want to disappoint people by not being cheerful and strong and upholding the brand of positivity and power that often exudes from my music,’ she wrote.

Kimbra said she wanted to speak out to make people feel less alone.

READ RELATED: Paul Pogba reveals he has suffered bouts of depression during his career

Brave: Kimbra, who was sharing her story for Mental Health Awareness Month, said she finds it hard to talk about her problems because it might ‘bring people down’. (Pictured with Gotye, left, in the award-winning video for Somebody That I Used to Know)

‘Some days I want to give up. The racing intrusive negative thoughts I have of self-doubt, criticism and attack feel as though they will win,’ she said.

‘A frightening panic attack can feel around the corner at any moment.’

The notoriously private star said she was striving to ‘follow [her] values’ despite her mental health problems, which she compared to living with ‘difficult, uninvited house guests’.

Real talk: The notoriously private star said she was striving to ‘follow [her] values’ despite her mental health problems, which she compared to living with ‘difficult, uninvited house guests’

She said her issues can feel doubly isolating when everyone around her seems to have ‘got it together’. 

‘[It] feels like everyone’s worked out how to be happy and optimistic in the face of adversity while you crumble under it all and struggle to find the will to face the basic needs of the day,’ she added. 

Kimbra, who has previously spoken about the importance of mindfulness, concluded by saying people should talk more openly about their feelings given how prevalent mental health issues are in society.

Feeling alone: She said her issues can feel doubly isolating when everyone around her seems to have ‘got it together’ 

In February 2013, Kimbra and Gotye won Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 55th Grammy Awards.

This achievement made her the third New Zealander to win a Grammy Award.

Her songs have also surpassed one billion views on YouTube.

Star: In February 2013, Kimbra and Gotye won Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 55th Grammy Awards. This achievement made her the third New Zealander to win a Grammy Award. Pictured: Kimbra