Steph’s Story
May 19, 2023 |
Associate Medical Writer, Steph talks about her experiences with Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks
I’ve always been a very anxious person, often fearing the worst, turning myself inside out by over-analysing things I’ve said or done and catastrophising about the future.
I started having panic attacks at the age of 15. At the time, though, no one really spoke about or understood anxiety, and I had no idea what panic attacks were – which caused a lot of additional panic and confusion whenever I had one. Though it took a while to get an official diagnosis of General Panic Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorder, I knew my relationship with worry and Anxiety was different from others from a very early age.
Over the years, how my Anxiety impacts my daily life has changed and continues to change daily. Sometimes it’s a mild issue in the back of my mind, and I can ignore it easily. Sometimes it rises to a steady stream of intrusive thoughts that require more active management. And sometimes, it can build into full-blown panic attacks where it feels hard to breathe, I cry heavily, and my body feels numb and heavy.
It’s important to remember that while everyone feels worry and anxiety, an Anxiety Disorder has a different severity, and in many cases, self-care alone isn’t enough to manage it.
But, with my medication helping to keep things at a manageable level, these are some of the tricks I use to keep myself calm when I feel my nerves rising:
- Breathing – It sounds simple, but managing my breathing helps calm my nerves and gives me something to focus on other than my worries. I visualise my breath moving in and out like the tide against the shore. This is an excellent technique for me because it’s simple to do wherever I am.
- Going for a walk – I like to get out into the fields with my dog. Watching him enjoy himself without a care in the world always gives me a chance to breathe and get some space away from what’s worrying me.
- Rest – If I’m running low on sleep and energy, I feel irritable and on edge, and it’s harder for me to remain calm and focused. Getting an early night or even just retreating to spend some relaxing time alone can make a world of difference.
- Read – I’ve always loved the escapism provided by a good book. If I’m feeling overwhelmed, escaping into another world where my problems don’t exist can help. More often than not, when I’m finished reading, my anxieties have either passed or don’t seem quite so overwhelming anymore.
- Say it out loud – Sometimes, voicing a worry to someone close to me is the best thing I can do. Either I’ll say it aloud and realise how minute it is and how easily it can be resolved. Or, I’ll get reassurance and justification from those around me so I don’t feel so alone. This has especially been the case in a working environment. Being able to talk to managers and colleagues about how I’m feeling and when my Anxiety is high means I have a great network of support around me that can help readjust my workload to suit my needs.
- Write it down – If you don’t feel ready to say how you’re feeling or what you’re thinking out loud, try writing it down instead. Writing things in a journal or diary helps get thoughts out of my head and gives them some legible structure so I can provide them with the time and space to work out. When I’m working, I’ll often scribble a worry down and promise myself I’ll return to it later. That way, it’s not bouncing around in my head and taking up space, but I’ll give it the attention it needs when I can.
- Seeking help – I first sought professional help for my Anxiety when I was 15 at got my diagnosis around a year later. Since then, I’ve worked with some fantastic therapists and my GP to find a dose of medication that helps keep intrusive thoughts at bay and limits my risk of panic attacks. For some people, therapy alone can help provide the tools they need to control their worries, but for me, it’s a combination of therapy, self-care and medication that has helped the most. Help can come from anywhere. Friends and family, and even work colleagues. Speak to your managers at work and find out what support is available for you within your working life, whether that’s flexibility in your workload, time off or simply a manager who is willing to listen.
This content was provided by Mednet Group
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