55 MANTRAMAGAZINE.COM
Laura Bishop, MS
Instagram: @lolaraybishop | laurabishopcoaching.comPanic Attacks
- Dealing With
Anxiety
Your Story Has the Power to Heal
lose your eyes, babe, and think about that
day on the beach in Positano. Focus on each
breath going in and out and remember that you
are safe.”These are the words I read through tears as
I desperately search for a way to survive an
unexpected panic attack. Five minutes earlier, I
was standing in line at a crowded coffee shop,
waiting to give my order, scrolling through
emails and preparing for the day ahead. I was
feeling fine. Better than, in fact. I had a leisurely
morning, a few client sessions on the books and
a plan to hike after work. Life was good. And out
of nowhere, I was hit with an intense feeling of
anxiety. As adrenaline shot through my veins,
my body tensed and I immediately began to feel
panic. Suddenly, the music I was enjoying mere
minutes earlier became too loud, my mind and
body rejecting the bumping sound, and I felt
hyper-aware of the frenetic chatter around me.
Fear gripped my stomach and I couldn’t catch
my breath. I felt wild, alone and scared. How did I
get here, I wondered, sensing I was about to lose
my shit in the middle of Philz Coffee.I stand still for a moment, hoping, no, praying
this passes quickly while attempting to focus on
what is real. My brain tells me this is irrational,
but my body struggles to know the truth. AsI read Adam’s text; his calm words begin to
penetrate. I close my now tear-stained eyes and
imagine us on the beach in Italy. Playing in the
warm Mediterranean Sea, a delicious virgin fruit
cocktail in my hand, I remember that day so
perfectly. It’s not hard to go back to that place
of ease, and as I count each breath going in and
out, my body temperature cools, my breathing
stabilizes and my mind becomes a sea of calm.
Wow! What the hell just happened?If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, you know
how scary, isolating and energetically consuming
the experience can be. It’s easy to suffer in silence.
Oftentimes, I worry about vocalizing my own
personal struggle because of my professional
role. However, I’ve come to recognize that my
experiences make me more empathetic and a
stronger advocate for my clients’ well-being.I have struggled with anxiety my entire life. Some
of my earliest memories include feeling worried
and unsafe in my body. Over the years, I have
become an expert at identifying the signs and
symptoms and knowing when to take time for
myself. Although my bouts of panic and anxious
thinking are sporadic, it does happen and there is
no shame in that. Today was a good reminder that
despite my diligent efforts to support my mental
health, anxiety is still outside of my control.Laura Bishop has a master’s degree in counseling/psychology
and has dedicated her profession to helping others heal.C
55 MANTRAMAGAZINE.COM CONTINUED