[ [ [ TW: PANIC ATTACKS ] ] ]

I’m probably overreacting because that’s what I do. Someone says calm down, but I just get more hype. Here’s live footage of me jumping to conclusions and getting myself into a frenzy about (probably) nothing. 

One of the most difficult things about having anxiety is fully understanding that your fears and thoughts are often irrational, and only you can fight them away or “reframe” them, as my therapist says. The feeling that you are stopping you from freedom and peace is a huge weight to carry around. 

THESE ARE MY CONFESSIONS

One of my biggest fears is dying in my sleep. I can’t tell you how many times I have called my sister at 4am in full panic, worried that I might not wake up the next morning. I am fully aware of how irrational that thought is. Yet it sneaks into my brain. Randomly. Without a warning. I’m embarrassed that I am [age redacted] and I can’t seem to control this thought. I haven’t even told my Mother about this. (Well, I guess she knows now 😩).  No matter how many times I call my Sis, freaking out, she is consistently patient with me. She knows that the worst possible thing to say to me during a panic attack is, “Just calm down!” or “Get it together!” Word to the wise: that doesn’t help. 

HELPFUL THINGS TO SAY DURING A PANIC ATTACK

“I’m right here.”  

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“I’m here with/for you.”

HOW TO HANDLE WITH A PANIC ATTACK

RETREAT - Exit the situation until the anxiety subsides. 

COUNT - Count to 10 slowly. Count again. 

BREATHE - Take slow deep breaths 

REPEAT COPING STATEMENTS - For me, “I am alive. I am okay” helps a lot.

VISUALIZE A COMFORTING PLACE/PERSON - Where are you peaceful? Think of that place. 

TALK TO YOUR PERSON - Having friends and family members who take the time to learn about what you’re going through is key. Send them some info about Panic Disorder so they understand your journey. 

One thing that has helped me often is that I have a person. My person is my sister. When I have a panic attack, she is the person I call. Not only is she qualified with her fancy UNC-Chapel Hill degrees and real life psych work experience, she knows me. She knows my triggers. She knows what I’m afraid of and she knows exactly why I’m afraid. 

Little Sis + Big Sis = ♥️

WHAT DOES A PANIC ATTACK FEEL LIKE?

Panic attacks can mean different things for different people. For me, it becomes incredibly hard to breathe. I start to cry uncontrollably. The walls feel like they're closing in on me. I want to escape but I don’t know how. If you have Panic Disorder it’s important to learn to identify what panic attacks look like for you, and then be able to tell the people closest to you how to do the same. 

ARE YOU SOMEONE’S PERSON? 

Ask your friend or family member with Panic Disorder: How can I identify when you’re having a panic attack? What do you need? What can I do? What can I say? If you need to, write a script. Most importantly, don’t dismiss them. No matter how irrational, understand that their feelings are valid. 

Last year, a ‘friend’ told me “You require a LOT! Being your friend is not easy.” This person, while very aware of my struggles, still felt it necessary to make me feel like I was a burden. As difficult as it was, I walked away from that friendship with the reminder that living with anxiety does not make me unworthy of friendship or love. I am not my mental illness. I am slowly learning to love myself. And I’m pretty freaking awesome. 

Panic attacks will happen. I will call my person. I will breathe.  And when it’s over, I will love myself, just the same. 

BUY HERE: https://books2read.com/DRAntho

Few can survive the rising dark. Join unimaginable paranormal creatures in epic battles or enjoy a heart-stopping romance that will take your breath away. In this collection of paranormal romance and fantasy novels, witches, wolves, demons, and demigods haunt the pages as they fight against the pull of darkness. But will they succeed? Fans of Ilona Andrews and Deborah Harkness will devour this soul-scorching collection of 24 novels from today’s USA Today bestsellers and talented new authors! Scroll up and one click to secure your copy of this limited edition collection!

Darkness Rising is the ninth and final novel in Katie Reus’ Darkness Series. I have read several of the books in this series. While I think you can come in without full knowledge of the previous books, it will enhance your reading experience if you know more about the other characters. 

The world is full of supernatural beings. They walk amongst humans, but keep their existence secret.

Greer is hundreds of years old and the healer of a dragon shifter clan. She is the first person ancient dragon shifter Reaper meets when he awakens from his millennia-long hibernation. He is powerfully attracted to Greer. But arrogant warriors and giving healers are not supposed to mix well. Greer and Reaper are paired on a mission to New Orleans. 

In a city full of shifters, vampires, and hybrids, someone is murdering ancients and pitting shifters against shifter.

This is a solid paranormal romance. I have read about half of the books in the series and was able to jump in. I liked Greer from earlier books. Greer’s hesitance to accept Reaper’s attraction to her felt relatable. The Darkness series is filled with interesting and funny characters. I think fans of the series will find this ending satisfying and it leaves room for more in this expanded universe.