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DJ Chris Angel on Overcoming Clinical Anxiety and Depression Alongside a Budding Music Career

Many people struggle with social anxieties that debilitate them personally and professionally. Christian Younan, or best known to most as DJ Chris Angel, knows all too well the challenges connected to clinical anxiety, especially in an industry intertwined with large crowds. Still, he strives to overcome his mental battles and has become one of the most notable musical artists in the party scene. 

DJ Chris Angel is a party DJ, musician, and producer who has been climbing up the ranks of the industry. He has played in many huge events across the country and has an extensive discography of smashing beats that attract thousands of listeners. But what is remarkable about his music journey has been his resilience amidst an ongoing battle with social anxiety. 

The DJ’s anxiety-related condition stems from his experiences while serving in the military before coming into music. Social anxiety and depression started to kick in after he left active duty and returned to civilian life. “It ruined my ability to be in large crowds of people, which affected my music performances,” shares Chris Angel. Despite that battle, he continues to press on, driven by his love and passion for music and bringing people together. 

Growing up, Chris didn’t have what most would consider a normal childhood. He had to start working at the age of fourteen to help make ends meet. The musician started working in a coffee shop, watering the plants and taking care of other small jobs for the business’ operations. At sixteen, he was juggling two jobs on top of attending junior high school. At some point, he knew that things had to change. “I started saving my money to purchase music equipment and old records so I can begin scratching,” narrates DJ Chris. “I would pass up football practice to go to work.” Because of his long hair growing up, he had a teammate who would call him Chris Angel, after the well-known magician and entertainer. The name stuck, and he would use it as a stage name later on. 

Thousands of army veterans struggle with PTSD, depression, and other mental illnesses. The challenge for most is returning to a sense of normalcy after active service. While not many ever get to have an everyday life, the goal is to function with it. That has been Chris’ goal from the beginning. While he’s quick to admit that he isn’t out of the woods yet, he continues to push his limits and work hard to focus on the positive things his music brings. 

DJ Chris Angel’s music has a diverse taste, drawing people from various age groups, backgrounds, and genders. He primarily creates music for bass and electronic music lovers, but he can still serve people who love other genres. That versatility has made him a staple across parties, events, music festivals and other gatherings. He has also started putting music on streaming platforms, like Spotify, where his tracks attract thousands of streamers. His two biggest tracks, “Rollin” and “Life of Pablo Francisco,” already have over 30,000 and 45,000 listens, respectively.

DJ Chris Angel hopes that his journey into music despite his social anxiety will inspire others who battle mental illnesses to pursue a life well-lived. He also hopes to motivate his fellow veterans to find a sense of meaning in their passions even after serving in the military. Learn more about DJ Chris Angel and listen to his music by checking out his Instagram and Spotify profile.

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