Lauren Goodger has been battling anxiety and panic attacks for "years"

Lauren shared: "Believe me, my problems are a lot deeper than one day in A&E. I've suffered anxiety and panic attacks off and on for four years."

The TV star had previously been able to "deal" with her troubles - but by Boxing Day, she was left feeling overwhelmed and Lauren admits she simply "crashed".

Speaking to New! magazine, she recalled: "I thought I was dying.

"I've never been one to take anti-depressants, but this particular psychiatrist put me on a strong dose for my anxiety because my heart palpitations were out of control.

"I hated the thought of putting this medication into my body so I just stopped one day, which you aren't meant to do. Apparently that's what triggered it."

Lauren explained that problems in her personal life, coupled with her appearance in a BBC documentary - in which she agreed to promote a fake cyanide drink - pushed her over the edge.

She said: "Your body and your mind are like a computer and when it goes into overdrive, you crash. And I crashed.

"I couldn't breathe. My heart rate was sky high, my eyes were in the back of my head, I was shivering. I was in a terrible way."

However, Lauren now feels she's found a way to manage her anxiety.

She revealed: "I don't want to talk to someone. I'm a practical person and I need to get things done.

"So I'm trying new things instead, such as courses and my exercise, things that make me feel good. I still have anxiety and I feel like s**t, but I'm managing it now."