You Are Not Alone.
Just what seems like a few short years ago, I was on the verge of suicide.
I suffered from severe anxiety, which led to severe depression. I unintentionally lost 40 pounds in less than 1 year, and my weight dropped into dangerously low levels.
I socially isolated, and went from speaking confidently in front of large groups to having difficulty communicating even one-on-one with immediate family members. I became withdrawn, quiet, without opinion, and constantly anxious and worried about my next panic attack.
I was in talk therapy but no one could tell me what was “wrong” with me. I thought I was crazy. If the “experts” couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me, then I must be, right? I felt so alone and could not seem to find relief anywhere.
At this point, with no foreseeable “way out” in my mind other than suicide, I made a promise to God:
If He helped me conquer these horribly dark times and heal, I would share my story with others so that they too could find hope and their own healing. I would also dedicate my life to helping others suffering, like I was, to getting the treatment they need.
It was at that point that the “stars started to align” in my life and I was finally properly diagnosed: I had Panic Disorder. The proper diagnosis was CRITICAL, LIFE CHANGING, AND LIFE SAVING. Why?
Because once we were able to identify the problem, we could move forward with therapy tailored to my specific disorder so that I could retrain my thinking in a way that works for people with my disorder.
I was lucky – God led me to the right specialized treatment.
Specifically, that was when I an actual expert in Panic Disorder, who immediately began helping me to retrain my thinking.
I was lucky. After spending tens of thousands of dollars on therapy and medication and consistently being misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, I thought I was crazy and without hope. I was on the verge of taking my own life.
Thanks to prayer, putting in the hard work, and my therapist's expert guidance, I CONQUERED my disorder.
If you might be suffering from Panic Disorder, please know – you are NOT alone, and there IS HOPE.
More than 10 million Americans are suffering from the disorder at this very moment. If you do not suffer from Panic Disorder, please know these are real people you might be friends with or working next to, silently fighting the battle of their lives. People just like me.
You are in the right place. You are NOT crazy and there is absolutely HOPE. I have created this space to share my story with you, so that you know that you are NOT alone, and that you absolutely CAN conquer this disorder with hard work, prayer and tailored expert treatment.
Why Am I Sharing My Story?
Please note: I am NOT a mental health expert. I'm not a therapist. I'm not a doctor. I didn't go to school for this.
BUT HERE’S WHAT I AM:
I'm someone who has BEEN THERE. I have had panic attacks. I’ve suffered from the anticipatory anxiety of when and if another panic attack would hit.
I've hit rock bottom. And although I found a million things that did NOT work for me, I have also found what DID and DOES work for me.
I am going to share with you MY experiences. My insights. These are MY hard-won lessons coming from the perspective of someone who conquered this disorder.
And that perspective matters.
Because you need to know it's possible to BEAT this and get better—AND you need to hear it from someone like you who actually did it.
Join Our Community.
Whether you might be suffering from Panic Disorder, are here to learn how to support a loved one, or want to join the fight to reduce the stigma around mental illness – WELCOME.
© Bettermode
