I woke up with a panic attack
In this generation, depression and anxiety have become major issues and it’s high time we take care of our mental health. We should be cautious about mental health as we might not be aware of the potential triggers. Since anyone might go through mental health issues, priority must be given to it. When I experienced it, I understood it.
Life was going well. I was having a good time and hanging out with my friends and family. Although there were highs and lows, I was satisfied with myself. As I mentioned, everything was going smoothly but one morning I woke up with a heavy pounding heart and didn’t know what was going on. I woke up because I felt a kind of shiver go through my body. I had a strange feeling as I was shivering rather than sweating during summer. The fear was there.
I looked around my room and suddenly felt like I didn’t belong there. I felt detached from myself, the surroundings, and reality. It was a battle with myself. I realized I was having anxiety and what felt like a panic attack. From that day, I started having anxiety frequently which was not normal at all. I thought I could take care of myself but it got worse. In time, I felt completely detached from myself and the world.
Voices were louder than before. I started feeling lightheaded, experiencing brain fog as I felt heavy and numb. I was having trouble thinking. When I was anxious, there used to be pain in both of my hands, like hundreds of needles were being stabbed inside them and my body temperature and heart rate used to increase. It felt unreal. I didn’t know what was going on. I used to cry a lot. When I looked in the mirror, I once had the impression that I didn’t know who I was, that something wasn’t right. That was the time I decided to go see a psychiatrist.
I was already experiencing anxiety while waiting for my turn in a hospital because the voices around me seemed loud and seeing so many people made me feel uneasy. During my session with the psychiatrist, I broke down in tears as I explained to him that if I have to endure these feelings for longer than a month, I don’t want to live. He advised me to give it some time and to keep a positive outlook because everything would be okay. He also recommended medications.
After the visit with the psychiatrist, I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression. Every day was a struggle. I still felt like time was moving extremely slowly, that there was no point in life, and I lacked the energy to face another day during that time. As time went by, I started taking the medications and also went for counseling, and that really helped. Although I haven’t totally recovered yet, I’m getting better. However, there are times when I feel terribly depressed.
Every day, I suffer mentally in different ways. I occasionally think I’m doing okay, but after a while, I start to doubt my abilities and start feeling worthless. Knowing my symptoms, I used to divert myself if I felt anxious. Walking and reading books were helpful. I used to stand up and walk whenever I felt anxious, and it helped. From my suffering, I got to learn so many things about mental health and how vital it is that we look after our mental health. And it is so important to prioritize ourselves.
Furthermore, to all those suffering mentally, I would like to say that I know it’s super hard but this will pass for sure. At some point, you may feel like you can’t make it and there is no hope but always respond to negative thoughts with positive ones. I know it may feel like a war in your mind but at least try and push yourself. Despite how simple it may seem, this is exhausting. Accepting that you have a mental disease is the first step towards overcoming it. That is why don’t forget that you are doing this for you. There’s always room for hope.
Physical and mental issues exist. Everyone takes medication when they experience physical difficulties, so it’s crucial to consider doing the same if you are experiencing mental issues. Additionally, keep in mind that seeing a psychiatrist and/or a counselor is not a huge thing, and taking medication if necessary is acceptable. This is just a simple reminder that we will get through this and that you aren’t alone.
