Anxiety and Panic attacks.

Disclaimer: I am in no way an expert on any of this. I have just experienced it.  

    People tell me "your so perfect" or they think that nothing is wrong in my life. But the reality is that I have a massive flaw, a flaw that stops me from doing what I want to do. You really shouldn't think "oh there life is perfect. Because everyone has something going on in their lives, everyone has a story.

     I guess a huge chapter of my story is when I started having panic attacks. When I was 11, I did swim team at the time, I walked into the warm pool, when I started to have a numbing sensation in my foot. It basically just felt as if my foot was falling asleep. But that numbness, travelled threw out my body, I started shaking and then couldn't breathe. I fell to the ground and started crying. I didn't know what was happening. My parents weren't there, and I was left with my coach who had no idea whats going on.

     If you are someone who does not suffer with panic or anxiety, I'm just going to list a few symptoms, just so you can get an idea of how it is...

• Shortness of breath or hyperventilation.

• Heart palpitations or a racing heart.

• Chest pain or discomfort.

• Trembling or shaking.

• Choking feeling.

• Feeling unreal or detached from surroundings

• Sweating

• Nausea or upset stomach

• Feeling dizzy, light-headed, or faint

• Numbness or tingling sensations

• Hot or cold flashes

• Fear of dying, losing control, or going crazy
• And more...

    It is hard to understand what someone is going threw if they're having a panic attack. You have to make sure your just there to do anything for them. Basically drop everything and help them. I find I have trouble talking when I'm panicking (Everyones different) so it's hard for me to even ask you to do anything. But just sitting next to them and waiting until its over is a very nice way to help them. Don't snuggle next to them, they really need their space, but sit next to them and give them comforting words. 

-Dont panic, they're already panicking they don't want you to panic as well.

    It was really hard for me at one point, because it stopped me from doing things I wanted to do. I was just so terrified to go out of my house. I just felt as if it would be embarrassing to panic at school. You should really surround yourself by people who know what to do, and will comfort you. As my "friends" would probably laugh and think it was a joke or something. I am lucky enough that I have only panicked once at school, and I just went to the bathroom then called my mom. School is sort of like a distraction for me, so it helps me stay calm, so I don't end up panicking as much. I do however feel very anxious almost every moment of the day. Its like theres this knot in my stomach and it never goes away. But I've learned to control it much better. I have also been seeing a psychologist who has been really helping me.

I hope this helps you, or anyone else in your life to understand this much better :)

♕