'I didn't want to go outside in case people recognised me': Natalie Imbruglia reveals battle with crippling anxiety and body dysmorphia at the height of her career

By Helen Turnbull For Mailonline

Published: 03:30 EST, 19 September 2015 | Updated: 06:21 EST, 19 September 2015

On the exterior, she was the girl who had it all - a glittering pop career, devilish good looks and a roster of A-list friends which included Kylie Minogue.

But after releasing her fifth studio album earlier this year, Natalie Imbruglia has confessed that beneath her beaming grin at the height of her career, she was suffering from crippling anxiety and body dysmorphia which left her scared to leave the house.

Talking about her struggle to live with a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in a new interview, Natalie, 40, revealed it was the pressures to live up to and go beyond what was expected of her after the resounding success of her first international single, Torn, that caused her mental health to suffer.

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'I didn't want to go outside in case people recognised me': Natalie Imbruglia has revealed her battle with crippling anxiety and body dysmorphia at the height of her career

'I didn't want to go outside in case people recognised me': Natalie Imbruglia has revealed her battle with crippling anxiety and body dysmorphia at the height of her career

'I was anxious, nervous, stressed out and scared. I didn't want to go outside in case people recognised me,' she said in an interview with the Daily Mirror.

Adding: 'It nearly sent me insane.'

The talented Australian actor and singer went on to say she struggled to ever relax especially while touring and that her marriage breakdown with now ex-husband Daniel Johns in 2008 contributed to her downfall.

under pressure: Natalie, 40, confessed it was the pressure to live up to and go beyond the expectations that prompted her apprehensive feelings

under pressure: Natalie, 40, confessed it was the pressure to live up to and go beyond the expectations that prompted her apprehensive feelings

However, after taking five years off to retrain as an actress, moving from London to Los Angeles and turning 40 in February, Natalie maintained she's in a much better place.

'I'm happier than I've ever been. I'm more settled and I'm not trying to be anything I'm not,' she added.

Her coming of age has worked wonders for her self-esteem and the best birthday present she could've asked for is the fact she won't be offered any more 'sexy-girl' roles as she 'hates' them.

Coming out the other end: The Torn songstress said, 'I feel happier than ever'

Coming out the other end: The Torn songstress said, 'I feel happier than ever'

With the release of her latest album - Male in July - under her belt, she's gearing up for a tour with Simply Red which kicks off in December.

While her ex has moved on - he's dating fashion designer Estelita Huijer - Natalie is yet to find Mr. Right, recently admitting she's not romanced anyone in so long that she's forgotten how it feels to have her heart broken.

She also revealed she's considering joining dating app Tinder in the hope of finding the man of her dreams. 

Natalie married Silverchair lead singer Daniel in 2003 but the pair split five years later, claiming the relationship broke down due to the long-distance nature.

New beginnings: Natalie released her fifth studio album - Male - in July this year

New beginnings: Natalie released her fifth studio album - Male - in July this year

Back to the day job: The talented actress and singer is gearing up for a tour with Simply Red which kicks off in December

Back to the day job: The talented actress and singer is gearing up for a tour with Simply Red which kicks off in December

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