The highly anticipated Deadpool 2 will be released this Friday. Much of the excitement surrounding the film has been due to Ryan Reynolds’ depiction of the film’s titular character, whose sardonic and irreverent humor fits Mr. Reynolds like a glove. His portrayal of the cocky anti-hero is so effortless that he has been promoting the film almost entirely in character. At times, one fails to distinguish between the character and the actual Ryan Reynolds.

Deadpool fans were surprised, however, when they opened the New York Times last Wednesday and found an interview with Mr. Reynolds, not Deadpool. Even more surprising was his candor concerning his battles with anxiety.

“I have anxiety, I’ve always had anxiety,” Mr. Reynolds told the Times. “Both in the lighthearted ‘I’m anxious about this’ kind of thing, and I’ve been to the depths of the darker end of the spectrum, which is not fun.”

His anxiety was particularly crippling during his 20s. During his worst spells he often had trouble sleeping, which caused him to self-medicate. It wasn’t until a few friends of his died from overdoses that he realized that it was a road he didn’t want to be on. Instead, he has found help by using meditation to clear his mind.

While meditation, exercise and relaxation techniques may help with anxiety, the best way to effectively manage anxiety disorders is to speak to a medical professional who can make a proper diagnosis. The Integrative Center for Wellness examines to what extent symptoms are caused by genetic or environmental factors, and then fashions a treatment plan that is tailored to you. These plans combine psychopharmacology and psychotherapy and work to not only reduce the symptoms of anxiety, but to resolve the underlying causes of the illness.