Anxiety - A battle - A Stalemate !

A few years ago, we had a couple of friends over for a Diwali Party. 

My husband and his friend made Weed Brownies. Before this day I had never smoked up. The dessert junkie in me ate two of those. In about 30 minutes, 12 people in my house were laughing like idiots and I was dragging my husband to the hospital. 

I had just experienced my FIRST PANIC ATTACK !

I couldn't breathe, I had to be given oxygen and 3 injections before I became normal. 

It is unfair to blame my anxiety on the weed brownies but I guess they just opened a door which I had closed since time immemorial...

I had a few more Panic Attacks before a doctor suggested I see a Psychiatrist. 

My first reaction was : I AM GOING MAD !!!

I was losing it. I cried and cried and then cried some more. 

Visited a Psychiatrist - who didn't make me lie down, didn't even give me my 1 hour to talk - saw me for exactly 4 minutes and gave me an SOS medicine. 

Were the movies a farce ?Where was my couch ? 

That was the day I went and researched and realized that I needed a Therapist not a Psychiatrist. 

at 32 years of age I got to know the difference between a Psychiatrist and a Therapist. It was never a part of my school or family curriculum. 

 

My Family and friends were shocked - Why do you need to see a Mental Doctor? You are so lively and cheerful and full of life. You are absolutely fine - was the common answer I got from everyone I knew. 

My Husband and my Sister were my pillars of strength and after meeting a couple of therapists ( this is for another post ) I found someone whom I could trust. 

Life changed. Not after the first meeting nor the second. But slowly, gradually things started to improve. 

I have not had a Panic Attack since I started Therapy. I've been off Therapy for 2.5 years now. 

I am not Anxiety Free. But I am not Anxiety Bound. 

Reach out for help if you need it. 

In India, people don't understand the importance of Mental Health. 

We have a long way to go. 

There is no shame in reaching out for help.

Do it for yourself and your loved ones. 

Therapy helped me - Therapy
can help you too.