#panicdisorder

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where you regularly have sudden attacks of panic or fear. Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety and panic at certain times. It's a natural response to stressful or dangerous situations.

Check out the post to learn more about panic disorder........

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Times are tough, living with Mental illness is overwhelming and very consuming. Wondering if things will ever ease or I'll continue life in the same way I am today.

Today, we’re remembering that physical symptoms =/= anything bad happening to us. Racing hearts, shaking hands, and shallow breath does not mean you’re going to die or go crazy, they’re natural responses in our body that only want to protect us. 

[ [ [ 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.