How can I live a peaceful life without having panic attacks and anxiety?

I don’t know what to do with my life to be honest I’m having anxiety and depression. I’ve lost my mom and my mind's going crazy I’m thinking about how I’m so behind on school, I’ve been sick and hospitalized for two years due to heart problems since I lost my mom and because of that I didn’t attend school, I’m really so sad about this situation.
Asked by Chantel
Answered
12/18/2022

Hi Chantel,

Thank you so much for reaching out and asking this question, it is not always easy to do that. It sounds like things have been really hard recently, especially since you lost your mom. When things like this happen to us it is really normal for our lives to feel overwhelming, our anxiety to increase, to feel lower in mood and to get feelings of panic that you say. It is also really normal for these things to impact on our physical health, like you say you have been sick and hospitalized for two years due to this. What we know is that all of these things link together, and can keep the cycles going which can be really hard when we feel like there is no way out. 

It makes a lot of sense that you are worried about not attending school, and the impact this might have on you. Chantel, there is so much going on right now! I am really sorry that all of these things are happening, and you're feeling really sad about the situation, I think lots of people in your situation would feel similarly right now too. 

I would really recommend that you reach out to a therapist who can work alongside you to make sense of what is going on for you right now, provide a place that feels safe and calm, and begin to think of ways to manage these really normal yet intense feelings that you have. There has been a lot going on and it might be that you need to process some of these things in order to relieve some of the anxiety and stress that your mind and body are currently under. 

Please know that we unfortunately can't get rid of anxiety, this is something that we all have as humans. What we can do is learn to manage it, and live with it so that it is not impacting so much on our day to day. We can work towards doing things that are important to us, whilst navigating the difficult feelings that life brings us from time to time. 

I do hope that helps normalize what you are currently going through and think about a way to move forward with this. There isn't always a quick fix or magic wand however (I wish there was!).

Best wishes,

Nikki