Emily’s story

"I remember feeling completely out of control — like I was drowning in a sea of thoughts I couldn’t shut off.

That was my wake-up call."

For a long time, I didn’t have the words to describe what I was going through. I thought I was “ just stressed” or “overthinking things,” like everyone said.

But deep down, I knew something wasn’t right. The racing thoughts, the tight chest, the constant need to appear “okay” — it was exhausting. And it was more than just a bad day or a busy week. It was anxiety and I didn’t know until I hit breaking point.

I found myself avoiding social events, dreading even simple tasks, waking up each morning with a sense of panic I couldn’t explain. I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t sleep. I felt like I was living under a cloud that followed me everywhere, even on sunny days.

I finally decided to reach out for help after a particularly overwhelming week when I had what I now know was a panic attack. I remember feeling completely out of control — like I was drowning in a sea of thoughts I couldn’t shut off. That was my wake-up call.

Hearing the words “you have anxiety” from a professional felt like a mix of relief and fear. On one hand, it validated everything I had been feeling. On the other, it forced me to confront a reality I had been avoiding. I needed to take care of my mental health, just like I would if it were any other illness.

Being diagnosed gave me a name for what I was dealing with. It allowed me to stop blaming myself and start learning how to manage it. It wasn’t about being weak or broken — it was about being human.

How my life changed

Once I acknowledged my anxiety, everything began to shift. I started therapy, learned about coping mechanisms, made changes to my daily habits. It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but little by little, I started to feel more in control.

I also learned how to be kinder to myself. I realised that I didn’t have to push through everything on my own. Asking for help wasn’t a sign of failure — it was a step toward healing.

As I opened up and allowed people to truly see me, some relationships in my life deepened. Others faded away, and that was okay too. I began to surround myself with people who understood and supported my journey.

What helped me manage my anxiety

Talking to a therapist gave me tools to understand my thought patterns and learn how to cope with anxiety in healthy ways.

Mindfulness and meditation taught me to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with the present moment.

I stopped overcommitting and started prioritising my well-being. Moving my body and eating nourishing foods made a huge difference in my mental clarity.

Writing out my thoughts helped me release them instead of letting them spiral in my mind.

Having people around you that you trust — you don’t need a large amount of friends, you just need a few people you 100% trust. My local church youth worker, Naomi, has been amazing with me, especially when I have panic attacks. She knows exactly what I need and has helped me keep my faith in God. She also reassures me, and gave me good advice when I wasn’t sure what to do in a situation. I also have a small group of friends who know how to help me calm down if we go out and I start having a panic attack.

Why I’m sharing this

I know how isolating anxiety can feel. I know how easy it is to suffer in silence, thinking no one else understands. But you’re not alone. There’s strength in asking for help, and there’s hope — even when it doesn’t feel like it.

What matters is that you keep going, keep reaching out, and keep believing that healing is possible.

Your story matters. Your mental health matters. You are not alone.