"it's not a negative thought, it's a physical sensation, like being haunted." - yes!

Everytime a therapist tells me to "not interact with negative thoughts" I wanna punch them in the face. When you're talking to someone with depression or any mental illness, that's like telling a cancer patient not to interact with cancer - what the hell?

Depersonalization is a horrible thing. Staring at my husband, who I love, and not knowing who he is and not having any emotion towards him is very personally disturbing when reality comes back.

The worst thing when anxiety hits, is to have someone say, "Just relax, relax". Yeah sure. That usually doubles my anxiety, possibly into panic. Hammering away on an instrument helps, I see a bass behind you. Play bad, who cares? Make noise. I've had serious anxiety/panic problems for 20 years and cranking up the guitar and slamming it helps me. Use headphones in apartments. And all else fails, use the meds.

When I'm having a panic attack I journal to myself like I'm a friend. "You're going to be ok love, you're brave, you're amazing and awesome this will pass" it's so dumb but it helps!

I work in the pharmacy and the amount of prescription coming in for anti anxiety and depression is about 1/3 of all prescriptions daily. And I see some people being ashamed of they prescriptions. Working in this environment truly changed my opinion on this type of medication. I need glasses to see clear, someone need medication to think clear and feel OK. It is normal. Don't be ashamed

A tactic I was taught at a clinic for when you are in "crisis mode" aka middle of an attack, put your head in cold water or put ice on your temples, face the ground/put your head down and hold your breath. This activates the body's dive response so it thinks you are in water which then it forces your heart rate to calm so you can "swim" ive used it before and it worked pretty well.

Anxiety really is like a creeping/haunting sensation. That's the best description of it that I've seen. I've been living with chronic anxiety/ bi polar most of my life :(

I've been diagnosed with social anxiety. Basically almost all my triggers for panic attacks center on not being good enough or worring about relationships. So at the moment I feel like I'm losing a lot of ground with my anxiety. Like all the progress I made with friendships and social life has reverted back. I feel like I'm more awkward or no good as a friend over the phone. Doesn't help that me and my partner are long disntance atm because of work and study commitments. He really helps me stay grounded. Lately I'm just being gentle with myself and focusing on the essentials. Like feeding myself, bathing, and keeping the house in order. Like being proud of myself for those little things. Idk why I'm typing all this out here but.. idk maybe it's to feel less alone I guess I know there's a lot of us out there that are struggling with their minds. We are all gonna be here and be ok. The sun will keep rising everyday. This too shall pass.

Girls in my class say stuff like “omg this test is giving me so much anxiety” and start laughing about it. Then proceed to make tik toks during class

when ppl say "calm down" lmao

Dissociation is the woooorst. It makes me feel like I'm not even real, and that is a very scary feeling.

It’s comforting that you personally know what you’re talking about. Man I hate it when people who have NEVER had a panic attack talk about it. You honestly have to have had one (or a lifetime of them) to truly understand. Meditation always makes me worse too, I start focusing on how fast I’m breathing and usually hyperventilate... oh the joy. Love you Freya, such a beautiful soul 🖤

I usually don’t have so extreme anxiety attacks, just mild anxiety I guess, but this might still be a useful tip. Running and doing physical activities regularly has helped me associate a high heart rate with being exited and positive feelings. It has really helped my anxiety in general. 👽💜✨

Once I start feeling the beginnings of a panic attack, I usually just grab one of my softest or cuddliest teddy bears; and try focusing on how soft it is, how cute it is, how warm it feels, how the teddy smells, count the visible stitches, etc. It took a VERY long time for me to get in the habit of it, but now- whenever I feel anxious, I subconsciously grab one of them and I feel easier. I also take my shoes off and walk on the cold, wet grass outside very slowly. It definitely takes the edge off.

I really appreciate Black Friday’s community! The help and positivity in the comments is reassuring. My anxiety is so hidden. It was years before my husband figured out my baking and cleaning binges were anxiety attacks. With therapy and meds it pretty under control. I now enjoy baking for the fun of it.

I've had depression for most of my life, but my anxiety became so severe about 3 years ago which worsened my depression and hasn't changed since. My first full blown panic attack was horrible - blurry vision, I broke out in a cold sweat, started trembling and my hearing went out for a second so all I heard was a ringing sound. There were days where it had been so paralyzing, I could barely even move or breathe correctly. I couldn't eat or sleep. I had almost all of the symptoms you could think of. Including the worst one in my opinion which is living with depersonalization/derealization. It hasn't gotten that much better due to living in a stressful and toxic household that left me with trauma. The only thing that does seem to help is to try and ignore the fact that I have it, that's what I've been doing when I had learned to kind of manage it. Honestly, I don't know what life is like without anxiety anymore since it's been a huge part of me. Not even a therapist I had seen seemed to understand what I was going through. It's nice that you've made this video because you do describe some things that I've felt and it's good to know that I'm not alone 🖤🙂

I have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) so i tend to freak out for no reason but this helped me thanks alot! Love from Colorado

Panic and anxiety attaches are no fun and my heart goes out to everyone who has it ❤️ jade

Thanx for this, girl! Much love xx

Oh man, the numb hands and face are one of the worst feelings! This used to happen to me so much. Anxiety runs in my family and my Dad has a condition where his brain physically doesn't make enough serotonin. I'm glad I caught the symptoms of it early and I'm so glad that I got medication.. its helped so much.

thank you so much for this. I had my first panic attack during this crisis. I'm a frontline worker and my anxiety is through the roof right now. I was having trouble sleeping at night. and because I have seasonal allergies, it's been rough because I would wake up stuffed up or coughing and convinced I was gonna die. i went to my doctor and they put me on meds to help with the anxiety and to help me sleep. it's has made everything a lot better. I have my good and bad days, but the meds have definitely helped with having more good than bad days. it's just a wonderful feeling to know that I'm not alone as well. so thank you.

Mindfulness I think is the therapy you’d been asked to try before- doesn’t work for me either and totally related to this video x

Mine is worse at night, my heart just don't stop going so fast. I usually try to ignore and just go to sleep, but there's times it's just impossible, here's what I do that helps me to feel better: - Sing: Sing any song you like or put a music, I usually like to hear Arkona. And it doesn't matter if you don't know how to sing, I'm sure you can do it. - Draw: Drawing has helped me a lot tho, drawing requires me to pay attention and with that my anxiety goes away. - Dance: The same as the music... Put your favorite one and dance in the way you want even if you don't know what to do. - Play any instrument. This one is my favorite, whenever anxiety or panic attack hits I usually play my guitar and it helps a lot :)

i remember my first ever panic attack. i was in an aquarium with my family. i was about 18-19. had absolutely not idea what a panic attack was. but i felt the world close in on me. like everybody in the entire world was staring at me, judging me or saying nasty things. and i isolated myself in a corner. away from my own family. they finally found me and i was starting to look pale like i was going to pass out. my whole face was cold and numb, hands too. i started to shake and cry. i had no control at all. if it wasn't for my parents walking me to a rest area with chairs and dim lighting, i probably would have passed out. it was terrifying.

My anxiety and panic attacks feel like a heart attack and my body locks up like I am have a seizure. It is debilitating and devastating.

Have GAD and OCD and insomnia since I was a wee child. I don't like meds because they make me aggressive (fighty) and the unmedicated route is a slippery slope but it works for me (I don't recommend!!). Important to learn your triggers. I adjusted my life so I can work from home, so no social freak-outs. I find myself walking to another room or a quieter place when I start to feel overwhelmed. My family knows to leave me be. I'm literally attached to my phone and headphones so I can channel my attention with music or favorite internet content (hey YOU🖤). The COVID fear was keeping me up all night so I recently tried melatonin but you have to find a dose that works and you must lay down, close your eyes and just rest for it to work ( I write and rewrite stories in my mind ..helps). Take care of yourself everyone.

When anxiety hits me I can't speak, I can't think, I just stop functioning. My brain is like you have work, but you can't do it! At night my heart beats so fast that I wake up and so on!

Miss Friday. Do you ever think of doing something like this for a living. You tell it as it is. and you talk the truth. Your better than so of them so called Dr. Thank you so much this has been a great help to me.. Dr Black Friday sounds good.. Thanks again x

Yes!!! I love this!! Thank you!! 💜🖤 Also, when im having an anxiety/ panic attack, i hug something, whether it be a pillow, a plushie, or something cuddly and trying to breathe but yet let the tears roll down cuz it’s not good to try and fight the tears back from my experience. And find a place to sit down too just incase. Ive had a bad panic attack once and i blacked out and the next thing i knew, i was in the middle of a side walk in a fetal position in tears like a fool. So find place to sit just incase. And have some water on hand if you can. Drinking water after an attack helps calm me down faster. I somehow get quite dehydrated after an anxiety attack. But thank you for more of these tips. I would not have come up with it myself.

I also have health anxiety and freak out when taking pills. Thank you for talking about this side of anxiety.

“Did you come all this way just to give up?” is my mantra that always brings be back to earth, also I find stating things that are irrefutably real (today is Tuesday, my shirt is green etc.) also helps to bring me back down.

I have mood disorder and seasonal depression, and I'm so glad that you posted this. Thank you for spreading positivity

I get violent shaking and sometimes disassociation during my panic attacks too. My doctor tried telling me that whole, "Let the negative idea float away" shit as well. My attacks usually aren't triggered by a negative thought. They literally come out of the blue, sometimes when I'm having a perfectly normal, or even happy, day. I know my doctor has my best interests at heart, but unless you suffer with anxiety, or have experienced an attack, no amount of book learning can make you understand what an anxiety disorder or a panic attack FEELS like. And I also know that feeling of shame after an attack if one has happened in front of someone. I experienced an absolutely horrific attack in front of a friend once and she was just saying, "My god, I didn't know they could be that bad. I'm so, so sorry. Don't feel embarrassed. I'm just glad I was here to help you." Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. Personally, I've found that ASMR videos help me deal with my anxiety a lot.

"Its like being haunted" That is definitely what it feels like. I dont think I've ever seen a youtuber bringing up panic disorder. It can come out of nowhere at any time in your life. I was 22. There's so little information about it that I kept on going to the hospital for heart issues because I didn't know what was happening. After the second time I went to the hospital I ended up going to see a psychiatrist instead. I was put on sertraline and after a while of taking it I was able to get back to my life. Like she said, everyone is different when it comes to these things. If one medication you are prescribed with does not work you have to keep working with your phyciatrist until you find one that does.

I have been struggling with anxiety for years, anxiety and PTSD and the two thing combine together can really be hell, this period it's really hitting me hard. i am trying to adjust and taking one day at the time and keep my self as much busy as possible so i don't give my mind to much space.

“You can’t take a break from your own brain” very true but the closest thing to a break is sleeping. That’s why I sleep like 14 hours per day 😔 but even then I feel bad in my dreams too

Thanks for making this video and differentiating between being stressed/sad with having an actual mental illness. Too many people use these terms loosely and misunderstand what it's actually about.

The thing with therapy and therapists is, that it takes a insufferable long time until you feel that you make progress; and you have to find a therapist that you're tuned to the same wavelength with. If you think that therapist is a jerk or does not take you seriously, then get another. Proved to be a night and day difference for me.

You've gained so many subs in the span of a week. I remember when you were at 100k, I'm so proud 😊🖤

As it turns out for me, was a fear of driving or riding in cars that would set me off. I had some scary experiences in cars as a child, and they came back to haunt me as an adult. Caffeine is not your friend when this happens. I'm so happy you are on top of this! It can be very crippling.

Another one for me is humour humour is really helpfulbeing with someone and making some jokes or being silly even if it looks stupid or maniacal what it's doing it is training your brain at the same time to calm your body down and walk around and movement really does help moving your body constantlywalking back and forth walking all around the place playing some music singing to it really getting into it making yourself look like you're a total idiot you're actually not because you're fucken awesome and you are all awesome and you are not alone she is absolutely correct it's so commonand people like us actually constantly feel isolated andlonely anyway so it is harder when you're in self-isolation even if you're anjust ameerah idea that were all isolated makes you feel isolated so try your best to keep yourself busy do makeup watch KZfaq do artwork find something that's your niche that you really like

I recently had a panic attack, I couldn't breathe. No words, nothing was working and I didn't respond to anything anyone was saying. They had to call a counselor and security to calm me down which didn't make it better. I also can't be left alone without telling me where you're going, I will freak out and panic which comes from past trauma. I've tried bringing myself back to reality. 5 things you can see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you smell, 1 thing you taste. Brings you back to reality

This semester I had a professor who gave us a "panic attack hack". If you lace your fingers together and put your interlocked hands behind your head with your elbows out, you will automatically get deep breaths that are from your diaphragm. Trying to explain to someone in the midst of a panic attack "to breathe from your diaphragm" can sometimes cause unnecessary stress. Doing this with someone who is panicking can help take better breaths and help them if they are concerned about how they look doing the exercise. I myself have generalized anxiety disorder and this has helped me immensely when in a panic.

Did that when I was 12! I would get anxious and not no why and just be like “oh I’m excited!” I’m 20 now and I still use the tactic it does work. It’s been harder now that I have more issues but it’s never not a helpful tip. Please try it whoever is reading this. “

I like how you explain how some anxiety is normal with being human and thanks for the great tips especially in these uncertain and rough times and the power of positivity is an amazing thing!!

you're so kind and understanding, thank you for sharing your tips and trying to help others ❤🖤 I hope you're doing okay during these tough times!

I found out my anxiety disorder is a result of an autoimmune disease after about 15 years of experimental treatment on My brain. My hormones are weird so I went on medicine that eventually worked. I'm lucky to have found medicine that works 90% of the time and the other 10% is much more mild than what I used to get. I think I got expedited on treatment more than most ppl tho because my anxiety attacks were violent. Not many ppl realize anxiety is your fight or flight responses going haywire as a response to false danger. I didn't think "I'm dying, run away." I thought "I'm dying. Kill the danger." In many ways, it's hard to treat because running away from a situation is easier than trying to fight an arbitrary danger. I also had to go on a strict diet. Apparently eating corn and soy gives me anxiety due to a mild allergy. Go figure.

I was able to overcome my depression and anxiety and I NEVER thought I would EVER be able to. Mine was brought on by my adopted mom (from birth) being a sociopath and purposely mentally abusive and manipulative. I was an only child so I was her little project. Basically she controlled me in every aspect of my life while still giving me enough freedom to feel like everything was my fault and I was never good enough. I was an extremely smart and exceptional child, but I had a tracker on my phone which was monitored constantly and when it came to things like schoolwork/ anything slightly adult like and important she took full control so I never learned how to manage anything. Basically since the sixth grade until when I was forced out of college in the first month for not having A's (to come back home, which I didn't) I was crying every day thinking of suicide and in college I was mega anxious over everything because she went to Europe and I had no clue what I was doing and couldn't get myself out of bed in the morning.. but while at college I met a guy who's now my husband. We've been together almost every day since we met which was 2015. I had depression issues and he had a lot of anger issues (the two don't go together very well lol) but basically the gist of all of this is that he was able to pull me out of all of this. It took threats of leaving and some (not many like probably 5 in the first 2 years) really heart wrenching fights where I thought everything was over in my life), but that, along with his mom requiring me to have a job (retail) changed my whole entire fucking life. Like not only was I able to have a job, (before I couldn't go into a store alone and would freak out) but I was able to move across the country and find us two different apartments all by myself (he joined the military last year) I can now talk to people on the phone no problem and probably become confrontational if I needed to stand up for myself and I can look people in the eyes and just do crazy simple things I'd never been able to do for the first 20 years of my life. If you've read this far you probably haven't discredited my story in your head yet as not being real or as bad as anybody's hopefully, but my shit was real like hyperventilating and scratching my wrists and crying and rocking back and forth over the littlest things and now it's really almost hard to remember that version of me. Overall it took me about two years with a lot of convincing it's possible and tough luck from my partner (which really sucked at the time because he didn't understand why, but if he had been lenient I don't think I ever would have snapped out of it).. and also separating obviously myself from my adopted mom (I haven't talked to her probably since the end of 2018) and that's really helped too. And I've become independent of her by nothing being held over my head to need her for. Things are really good now and my husband and I are still really good and super happy together and I also with my disorder helped him become more patient and understanding and less angry over things because that's something he'd had from growing up with an abusive mother also. So yeah :). I know everyone is different and it's very natural to repel that things can heal and get better when it's all you've known, but for me they did and I'm like the animal abuse before and after videos where everything's okay and the before dog is unrecognizable to the happy end dog :). Also I was diagnosed by two different doctors as severely (I forget the word) depressed and my mom just called me lazy, and then a month later also "had anxiety and depression" to be relatable or take that away from me too. She also threated constantly to put me in psych wards growing up for cutting and convinced me that I was crazy and nothing I said would be taken seriously by anyone thusly making me suicidal and frantic. -_- but yeah for the most part everything is calm and the last panic attack I had was Thanksgiving when I had to pee but the only bathroom had a curtain and I like totally lost it in front of everyone because I didn't mean to sound rude with my shy bladder and them being the nicest people ever :/. But like that's the only one I can remember for years. I have small bouts of depression that come in weekly waves from time to time just feeling apathetic and zoned out but nothing even remotely like what was my constant reality before. I know this is like a million years long, but basically remove toxic people completely, accept that it can get better even if you only believe it to be a .001% chance because that's better than nothing, maybe find someone willing to be there for you, and really really try not to give in and pull yourself out of it. Also attempt small things at a time. If you were like me and can't go into a store alone, make that your goal, or even something smaller and work on it for however long it takes, drive there and sit in your car for weeks if you have to get to the doors and turn around, but one day, go through them and that will be such an incredible achievement. And continue small goals after that with the same structure of time and small accomplishments of even just walking to the car to get there. I also recommend walking (in a safe area and when you're ready one with a lot of people to pass) and eventually trying to truly smile at the people you pass. [Side note: I actually was watching jeopardy and this kid told Alex (the host) that he was afraid of his roommate at first because he was a big dude, and Alex said he should have approached the situation thinking first of the guy as his friend who'd protect him. I'm trying to work on this now too to calm small fears I face now-a-days by thinking first of everybody as a friend who's on my side, instead of somebody to fear because generally speaking that is almost always the case and life is so much better if that's the case it really helps calm me because people aren't concerned with or out to get me whatsoever like my brain still tend to process..] And eventually if you can continue to grow and do things gradually outside of your comfort zone I believe in you to be able to feel free and comfortable at last like we all deserve to be. :) There is hope. I'm proof. Please don't discredit my life because I assure you it was very likely just as bad as what everyone else here is/ has experienced. That was 20 whole years of my life from birth where I was unloved and just a big mess on the inside. I believe in you guys ❤️ please believe in you too❤️ please..

For me a lot of supplements actually helped: 10mg of CBD per day + L-theanine with my morning coffee + 250 mg magnesium. Whenever I lack the ability to take this stack I do notice a harder time stopping my mind from racing so much and it's easier to focus on the now with calmness. Also a few good reads: The subtle art of not Giving a Fuck, and the DARE approach to anxiety. Positive thinking, albeit hard to practice at first especially if you're cynical, really helps to tame the constant feeling that the worst may happen. Acceptance is also key, accepting that this is how you are and you have your limits; letting the feelings come and go as they are.

I talk to myself during panic attacks. I repeat the words "I'm ok" and "I'm safe" maybe a hundred times, and I do it loudly. I may look like a total idiot doing that, but it's better than feeling like I'm about to die. And it also forces me to be aware of my breathing and manage it, that's why it's important to say it out loud, so you have to use your breath. I'm also taking anxiety medication, and I could not have survived without it. My anxiety worsened thanks to dear coronavirus, so my gp also prescribed me some Xanax. I have asthma as well, so when I get a panic attack it sometimes ends with an asthma attack too, thanks to my breath being so wonky. Also when I'm completely disassociated and my ears are ringing and I can't feel my body, I try to touch something very cold or very soft, or basically anything that provides a sensory reminder of my physical body. So yeah, talking to myself like a crazy person and touching stuff around me. And medication!!

Holy shit I've never heard someone talk about their experience with anxiety/panic which was so relatable, especially when you mentioned disassociation, I've had experiences with that and it's lasted for days.

whenever i get really anxious, or edge into a panic attack, i like to listen to audio recordings of familiar voices, i know that is super silly but im just putting this out there for anybody else who either already does this or who hasnt thought of this yet :) ps. this is THE most helpful video for anxiety i have EVER seen

Sounds super odd but when I have panic attacks and can't steady my breathing, I have a drink of water. Like chug a cup. Because it slows my breathing and helps me. Unfortunately it does nothing for you mentally however it really helps my breathing if I stick at it.

Thank u dear for this video. I ve been suffering from anxiety since I was 12, when I was 15 I started to have panic attacks. When I was a teenager in my crises I thought that I was going to faint and get crazy, nowadays I feel that I am going to die, Its so horrible. I feel that this issue is blocking my life and because of that I ve never went abroad to live altough it was my dream :/ This is something cronic, sometimes you are fine and it seems everything will be fine but suddenly here we go again....these days have been tough with this Pandemia but I am trying my best to be fine, I eat well, I try to sleep well, I take vitamins. When my levels of anxiety are getting high I watch things that I really like for example your videos, or traveling videos and sometimes it works if the level is not too high. Lately I have been taking an emergency pill in severe panic attacks, its really good I just have to put under my tongue and in seconds the panic is going down, I definetly recomend this SOS pill, in my case also gives me a sense of security because I know I have a solution. My ex boss also gave me a tip, she said to put the hands in cold water during a crise, I ve never tried but I might. Thank you again for the tips and to show us that we are not alone and not the only ones fighting this.

your first tip reminds me of one of the ways I cope with anxiety: in my mid-late teens, as my anxiety was getting really bad, was when I got into horror films! I've been an anxiety-ridden mess my whole life, so I was sure watching an actual horror movie would be too much for me. to my surprise, I loved the feeling of experiencing that fear, but owning it, feeling excited and giggly about being spooked. now I love all things scary, ironically because experiencing anxiety and fear through a controlled medium helps me deal with those times when it's not happening on my terms.

I touch my cat & she starts purring and she helps me more than any medication 💝

So glad your giving tips for people who suffer from this, you really do know how we feel, its mind blowing how many people underestimate anxiety, it truly does feel like dying, blurred vision depersonalization and heart rate as fast as all hell and a spike in blood pressure. The worst is probably being convinced that surely you will die from a heart attack or be forever stuck in this derealized state. I never thought about associating fast heart rate with being excited, distracting from the horrible feeling very well could at least make it less hellish. And I completely feel you on the fear of meds, I've had panic attacks from thinking a vitamin was going to kill me 🤦‍♂️. Love your videos and the tips in this video. Will help a lot especially in these days of being locked up inside.

I have panic disorder, have had it all my life. For the past 15 years I have been taking Xanax on a daily basis and no more attacks. I don't know how many times I had my husband haul me to the hospital because I thought I was dying. Fortunately, he's very understanding and could talk me back down to a calm level. They'd happen for no reason, anxiety attacks are basically a huge Adrenalin dump into your system and no one knows why they happen. I know that Xanax isn't the answer for every one but it's worked for me. No panic attacks in 15 years and I love it. That works for me!

Please never stop making videos, watching you always improves my mood because you're such a lovely person 🖤

Love the colors in your make up. I'll pass your wisdom on to my Dad.

My car broke down in a drive through today. Ended up getting towed. I have dreadful anxiety and this whole instance really touched my nerves. Thanks for the video.

I had my first panic attack in a long time last week. I just couldn’t breathe from hyperventilating and almost passed out. Took hours for my heart to stop ramming in my chest. Forgot how scary they are.

I just broke up with my boyfriend and I'm going through terrible anxiety and I needed this!

Everything you’re sharing and recommending is so helpful. I say this as a mutual anxious person as well as saying this as a licensed psychologist. I appreciate you and appreciate this topic for a video.

Tbh I was having a panic attack and I went on KZfaq with the hope of destracting myself when I saw this and it helped thanks! 😊 Iv been in quarantine for over a month now but I'm OK with it. I feel better at home less stressed by ALOT bc of lack of stressful ppl but of corse the panic monster still has to make an appearance once in a while no matter what.

Like you say to breathe slowly, it makes the heart rate go down and you can also hold your breath while counting five Mississippi's and then repeat this step over and over again until you have calmed yourself to think logically about what is happening around you, that nothing bad is really going to happen. Just holding your breath and counting puts you in the present moment to get away from the trigger. It’s a very good idea too if you can have calming medications. Some people have had a really rough past and I have heard that the panic can come from nothing. It’s so true our brains are all different and have had different experiences in life. Alarm bells start clanging from past experiences and it’s no fun.

You are describing it so well. It is so hard to explain to people who don't know what it is. You are right about physical sensations. When it happens to me I have pins and needles in my whole body. It is awful.

I watched your video on the beach & I cried a smidge- for you & for me. I've experienced this standstill for the past year almost to the point of inactivity on electronics completely outside of my college classes, but couldn't put it in words or even think that much of anyone would understad anyway. I don't think I'll ever understand it myself fully.. but eventually, I let my anxiety cause me to become frozen in this endless cycle of mundane panic, even becoming absent from my studies. I have been watching your videos on and off for about 4 years now, & just need to say that you are wonderful & that I would like to apologize to you also for not checking in on you! You motivate a lot of people & have always made me smile. Especially, I enjoy the idea of getting up to do jumping jacks around my room while being my own cheerleader lol. Thank you for being you & know I'm cheering you on as always!🖤❤️

When I had panic attacks I was told to say 'I'm safe, I'm not I'm danger blah blah .'and it hasn't worked right away but this advice I haven't tried and def sounds like it will work next time. Mind you I haven't gotten an attack in a while, which I'm proud of :]

Girl, this is some of the most unique and best advice I've ever been privlaged to receive! I have horrific, crippling, panic disorder. Medication helps me a lot; however, I do get into what I call "panic world" every couple years. I've never heard of anyone that has as similar anxiety as me. I'm so happy and feel so validated. I feel, not alone. I also hate taking medication; but my medication has saved me. I love how you describe panic as a haunting & it sneaking up on you in a physical manifestation. Girl. Thank you. All the love! 🖤🖤🖤

This has been helpful. I honestly truly thought "no, I don't need meds. I'm fine. I don't need this". Later on, I have realized that watching funny things & other things aren't enough. I feel.... ashamed, 4 needing medication, but I do kno that they are there 2 help. I still cry when I take my meds 4 anxiety every morning, but it is helping. 💚

While being quarantined like this, I try to remember something my cousin, a nurse, said to me. You're not stuck at home, you're safe at home. There's a big difference. Bless you.

the video we needed. Honestly ,just hearing that we are not alone in this almost put me in tears -cuz it is easy to just get lost in "the fog" i call it thank you for this video and advice. sending all love and hopefully some positivity that i can muster your way

I really hope you are able to read this at some point. From the bottom of my heart, thank you SO much for posting this. Even though I don't deal with depression as much as anxiety, I loved your video on the tips for depression and I was eagerly waiting for this one. You perfectly described what I go through. I felt so incredibly alone because even people who do have anxiety wouldn't seem to understand how extreme my panic disorder is. It has also made me into a bit of a hypochondriac because I always feel so sure something is wrong with me on a physical level. I have spent hundreds of dollars every couple of months to get brain scans done, Holter monitoring, and ultrasounds on my heart. My limbs go completely Numb, my heart palpatates frequently, my vision becomes distorted, I cannot walk properly and I just feel... Wrong on a molecular level. It almost feels like your very soul is being assaulted. If there's anything that would ever drive me to ending my life, I knew it would be anxiety. I don't even remember who or how I was before it started reshaping the way I lived life as a whole. What made it even worse was when I stupidly took psychedelics and had a bad acid trip and got one of the worst panic attacks I ever experienced. That took an unimaginable turn on my psychee and changed me. I cannot enjoy nearly anyrhing I used to without it triggering an episode. To the point where, this wind feels weird- I am having an attack. I heard a tap sound- I am having an attack. My bones don't feel right- I am having an attack. I swore off of meds years ago because I didn't like how they made me feel empty inside and I wouldn't want to become reliant. But over the past two weeks I have felt extremely suicidal, not because of sadness or depression, but for the want to not have to suffer as I have suffered for many years anymore... And then I saw this video. I was half expecting that maybe you would mention all natural remedies and there would be something new that I haven't tried yet. But you really did send a wake up call to me that I need more help. I have a medical emergency and I need to be treated. Thank you so much for making this video and helping people like me. And I sincerely hope that it saves people from further progressing into something we both had to deal with. I really hope that everyone takes heed and finds justifiable cause to love and respect themselves enough to get the help that they need. Thank you so much. 💜 And I'm sorry for writing this essay, lol. This just really hits home..

*A major tip/advice that I use* Process your feelings in the moment you're feeling them, don't push them down don't put them off don't say I don't care and just leave whatever situation. Process that feeling, if you're angry feel it! If you're sad, feel it! If you have to cry ... do it. Bottling it up or pushing it away will make it a million times worse. And then you won't even know what is upsetting you because you put it off for so long. So on top of being anxious and depressed, you'll also be confused and angry because you'll feel like you have no reason to be feeling the bad feelings. For me personally bottling it up is what causes my deepest depressions. It snuck up and just Blasted me K.O. when by all accounts I should have been the happiest I've ever been. Last year was the worst year for my depression I couldn't get out of bed all I could do was cry and I felt like I was dying and like I was a burden on the world ... Even though nothing caused it out right ... I just woke up one day enveloped in the darkness and it wouldn't go away... So I stopped saying I don't care, I stop putting off my emotions, and I started to try to feel my feelings again even the bad ones because we can't all be happy all the time... And realizing that has helped me so much. I'm still working on it but I'm facing my demon now not running from it 🤘.

Man, I needed this desperately. Anxiety has been abusing me for awhile. The scariest part is exactly what you said: you can’t escape your own brain. I always have that thought mid panic attack and it just spirals. It’s terrifying to not be in control of your own brain in those moments. I’ve had a few experiences with intense depersonalization attached (I’ve never experienced it outside of this pandemic). It feels like a horror film that I can’t step out of...just kinda have to wait for it to lighten its grip. Thanks for talking about this❤️ Helps to remember that I’m not as alone as I feel when I’m in it.

Wow. "Haunted" is how I describe it.

There is something amazing that my therapist taught me called grounding. Look around the room or out the window and point to five or six different things around and name them out loud. for example, "there's a chair, there's a tree, there's a light, there's a door knob, etc. And I found that it REALLY works for me. Of course it doesn't work every single time but it definitely helps. I have had a panic disorder since I was about 12. I am 20 now and still find it so hard to deal with almost every day.

One of the best therapists I ever had had me do this thing where I literally talked to myself. I moved chairs to talk to myself. It was eye opening because I learned just how much hate I had for myself. I developed a little mental image of caring for that part of myself that I hated so much. It was so incredibly helpful. The best therapists aren't the ones who tell you to let go of negative thoughts. They're the ones who give you the safe space to confront those negative thoughts.

Keep your head up and just keep swimming

That quote from the really good Three Idiots movie "all is well" really helps me

I really have made good experiences with CBD-Oil when I start to get freaked out (cannot sleep, high blood pressure, feel fear). It really helped me a lot. And I really am with you that trying to "calm" yourself by taking a walk. Etc really makes you more fearful and "action" helps to act it out and helps that it doesn't overwhelm you. And the hack with the notes is really good! I have a mirror with "Respect yourself" written on it. And you are so right about coffee.

I know this is a older video and you probably won’t see this, but thank you so much for this! I struggle with anxiety and panic disorder and I appreciate the tips 🖤🖤🖤

There was a time when I was in 9th grade in dance class I had an asthma attack and was calmed down then sent to the nurses office. After the nurse left to get something I started to have a panic attack. I started to tremble and constantly looking around. I was crying and confused as to what I was doing in the room. I started to ask myself why I was scared and where the nurse went. What calmed me down was that I started to talk to myself saying that I was gonna be ok and thought about happy things. That stuff does work. At least for me.

Omg I totally vibe with this video Thank you! Yea my worst panic attack was back in december I had 8 waves of panic attacks over the course of 2 hours. I was sitting at the minute clinic in my chair crying, unable to sit still, shaking. I was embarrassed during because people probably thought I was an addict. It was bad. Thankfully my doc put me on sertraline, and its managed my anxiety quite well. I stead of 2-3 attacks a week it's now down to 1-2 a month at worst. 6 months and still going strong.

I have battled with my anxiety for my entire 34 years on this planet. I have never in this time heard anyone speak of anxiety in such a way that makes me think "oh my god, that is me" thank you for raising awareness of the true feelings around anxiety. And for your truthful examples and descriptions. Thank you. It really does help to know we are not alone.

These are actually quite good! as someone who works in the mental health field this these are techniques that we actually teach folks in therapy! Therapy can also be helpful for many folks! I'd also highly recommend grounding exercises! Also using temperature regulation methods like splashing cold water on yourself or holding ice. Also re: things tow rite down things like "I'm safe" "this is my anxiety happening" can be more supportive as they're true.💙

Did anyone else get emotional watching this because it was such a relief to know that you’re not the only one dealing with this??!! ❤️

I agree with you totally. I dont know how the CBT people expect you to ignore the negative thinking. That IS the abnormality. Thinking to the extreme as we do.

I've just gave up coffee because of my anxiety problems. It's helped a lot. Thanks for the other ideas to help.

I’ve actually been doing quiet a few of these things myself while I’m panicking, I’ve just never really sat down and thought about those processes. I really appreciate you for this 🖤 “There’s a reason they call it a panic attack, not a panic fair-fight.”

Thank you so much for making this video. I needed this so badly. I’m always anxious and this pst week has been terrible. At first I felt super calm and fine when we went on lockdown. It’s hard to not cut myself

I would find myself having random panic attacks frequently when my mom was sick and dying of cancer... I’ve had panic attacks, or major crying fits since she’s passed... Like wake up in the middle of the night crying hysterically

I’ve found that if you’re dissociating or panicking if you just start humming and lightly singing it makes you feel better, it doesn’t have to be a song just random sounds and words humming, for me it takes just enough room in my mind to tune out whatever gobledygook it’s throwing at you but still be able to do other things.

Love this vid, full of realistic advice! I can't get on with any meds though... One thing is I find playing my favourite old school video games can help pull me out of out a state of dispare and act as a distraction from reality 💜

Thank you Itsblackfriday!

I'm 37 and have suffered with anxiety since a out 6 yrs old. I've watched and listened and read alot of stuff for anxiety and depression and I've never heard anyone put it into words better than you. I feel like you are describing exactly what I go through in this video.

I suffer from generalized anxiety and depression. I have never had a full on panic attack, but my anxiety was getting worse. I did finally admit I needed medication and started seeing a therapist, and this has helped me so much. It's not just covering over the pain--it's helping me deal with the source and heal. My advice is, if you know something is wrong and you have trouble keeping your thoughts under control, it can never hurt to ask a professional for help. I have had a very loving family and a good life so I resisted seeking help thinking I'd be implying there was something wrong with me or how I was raised, but that's not true. It's not an admission of failure on anyone's part if you seek help and support--it's an act of courage.

This was absolutely lovely. You described it perfectly. For some people it's really hard to explain what's going on with us, and it's not that easy as they think to come off of those things just "brushing it off". Although it is pretty hard to say "I'm fine" when I'm definiely NOT, it worths trying it. Just by deviating your thoughts to something else helps, even if it's difficult (at first). The other advices are very helpful as well. Medicines are VERY important (the side effects might disappear after a couple weeks!). If the first one you've tried doesn't work, try another, and so on. One will eventually work. Same as therapists. Some are just idiots, they live in a fantasy world. Keep trying new ones until you find someone that will really "click", it makes a big difference once it starts to work. Also, never ever be afraid of being yourself, saying what you want to say, doing what you want to do, and try not doing things just to satisfy others if you're not being satisfied yourself.