On this week's episode of a Healthy Push Podcast, I was excited to talk to another one of my Panic to Peace students, Jessica!
Jess first signed up for Panic to Peace in January 2023, about a year ago, and completed my 10-week program in March 2023. It’s been several months since Jess and I have spoken, and it’s always a pleasure to catch up with one of my former students. I think you’ll enjoy hearing Jess’ story, insights, and experiences!
Jessica’s Sudden Experiences With Panic and Anxiety
Before 2023 and before Jess signed up for Panic to Peace, you’ll hear her explain that she wasn’t exactly an anxious person, and had never had any real notable experiences with anxiety throughout her life. “I didn’t even know what a panic attack was”, she explains. In fact, the first time she experienced what can be interpreted as a panic attack, she was simply walking in a mall, shopping, when all of a sudden she felt an intense wave of lightheadedness and dizziness as if she was about to faint. In the aftermath, she said something that struck me as very common in people experiencing panic and anxiety for the first time: “I didn’t know what was happening”.
Common Symptoms of Panic Attacks:
Physical | Mental |
Racing Pulse/Difficulty Breathing | Sudden Wave of Discomfort |
Trembling | Fear of Losing Control or Going Crazy |
Dizziness/Lightheadedness | Feelings of Dread, Doom, or Danger |
Sweating/Chills/Tingling | Racing Thoughts/What-If Thinking |
Nausea or Abdominal Distress | Feeling Detached (DP/DR) |
After her initial experience passed, the panic symptoms, unfortunately, kept recurring, to the point Jess started analyzing her life, wondering what could be causing these undefined, uncomfortable feelings. As time went on and the feelings persisted, Jess was feeling more and more helpless, turning to her inner circle, doctors, therapists, and anyone who could possibly help interpret these horrible feelings and episodes she was experiencing. After research and conversation, Jess came to the conclusion that she was experiencing panic attacks. It’s an important moment of clarity when you can finally define and put a name to what exactly is going on. However, it’s also when the real work begins!
If you’re currently struggling with panic attacks and you want to learn how to start responding to the symptoms and discomfort in a healthy way so that you can experience lots more peace and freedom, check out my mini-course on Overcoming the Symptoms & Panic Attacks.
Medication: Exploring Options
When health issues become persistent and or unresolved, medications are often one of the main approaches deployed by doctors and therapists alike. And while certain medications are helpful and even necessary for many people, when it comes to anxiety and panic, proceed with caution in regards to how you’re utilizing them.
Can medication be helpful for people struggling with anxiety and panic? Absolutely. But, it’s important to understand that medications should not be viewed as a “cure-all”, or a singular approach to addressing anxiety. Ideally, view medication as a supplemental solution. In other words, it can be another tool in your anxiety toolbox, but avoid making it the only tool; Something Jess reiterates in our conversation. Jess didn’t start taking medication consistently until she was nearing the end of the Panic to Peace program, and has a healthy perspective toward it. She admits, had she tried the medication route earlier, before she equipped herself with the healthy approaches learned in the program, the medication wouldn’t be nearly as effective. Everyone is different, and it’s important to recognize and explore your options when faced with anxiety and panic. Put in the work, and find your healthy balance!
Panic to Peace: Taking Control
Jess started applying advice she received from therapists, one tip being to carry around an “anxiety backpack" consisting of things like mints, ice packs, etc., to help distract her mind and ease her panic symptoms in the moment. While some of the advice and coping mechanisms seemed to be somewhat effective momentarily, Jess was still experiencing anxiety and panic, so she continued searching for long-term relief and improvement. (And we all know my stance on these types of short-term, surface-level solutions!)
Jess eventually came across a Healthy Push Podcast, and after finding the episodes and topics helpful and easily digestible, she signed up for my Panic to Peace program. She was at a point where she felt she was hitting rock bottom, and that these panic symptoms would simply never improve… she was stuck with them. She started to struggle with self-confidence, putting herself down, feeling like she was the problem. These are both extremely common feelings I address and offer solutions to throughout my program, including:
How to respond to your anxious thoughts, symptoms, panic attacks, and fears in a healthy way so that they stop showing up
How to face your fears without it being so hard, and without forcing yourself to do things you don't even want to do
How to heal without becoming a mindfulness guru or practicing a bunch of breathing or grounding techniques
How to trust and believe in yourself so that you aren't looking outside of yourself for saving
How to keep taking action even when things feel hard
How to start betting on yourself, because YOU are the magic thing that is going to lead you to recovery!
Nearly a year after completing the Panic to Peace program and having a couple of one-on-one sessions with me, we’re both happy to report that Jess is in a much better place with anxiety and panic. She has learned to trust herself again and the symptoms and panic attacks have lessened incredibly - so much so that she took a 5-hour road trip to her cabin in Canada… by herself! This is something that she thought she’d never be able to do again, as just driving around her small town felt extremely hard and nearly impossible for months.I was also so happy to hear that Jess found the sense of community within Panic to Peace to be very helpful. Sometimes it can take realizing that other people are currently going through or have gone through similar experiences/symptoms, and hearing about how they’ve dealt with them. You are never alone in your journey with anxiety!
I can’t thank Jess enough for joining me and sharing her experiences. Being comfortable and vulnerable enough to sit down and talk about it extensively illustrates some of the major strides she’s taken in her life, and in her relationship with anxiety. Be sure to listen to the full episode for the full context of Jess’ story and progress!
“I don't even know how I found Panic to Peace or Healthy Push. I have no idea how I even found it, but I'm so, so grateful that I did.”
Feeling like you've tried everything but you're still struggling with lots of anxious thoughts, symptoms, panic attacks, and fears? Take my FREE 60-minute masterclass today and learn 5 shifts that will actually help you to overcome anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia. And I promise, you won't hear any of the usual stuff from me - like doing breathing exercises, grounding practices, cutting out caffeine, and doing more exposures. Let's get you the peace and freedom you deserve without it being so hard!
Check out my masterclasses here and start experiencing lots more peace, joy, & freedom!
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