Finding Freedom: My Journey Beyond Panic Attacks
Written on
Chapter 1: Embracing Change
It feels incredibly liberating to announce that I have not experienced a panic attack in three years.
Photo by William Randles on Unsplash
Just yesterday, I found myself in a situation that I once dreaded deeply. For two years, I avoided leaving my home due to this fear. My struggle is rooted in Emetophobia, a specific phobia concerning the act of vomiting—both in others and myself. Yet, yesterday, I faced a loved one who was unwell.
I knew I couldn't escape; my support was needed. So, I stayed. I listened attentively, took deep breaths, and pressed my nails into my skin to ground myself, leaving behind crescent marks that lingered for hours. Despite the discomfort, I managed to keep my panic at bay.
As I reflected on the situation hours later, it struck me that it had been nearly three years since my last panic attack. Panic attacks were once a regula