‘Today, for the first time ever, I had to call an ambulance because of my anxiety. Unable to breathe, I threw up and broke down screaming, ‘Why me?’: Woman shares PSA on reality of anxiety

“Anxiety isn’t just having a hard time catching your breath.

Anxiety is waking up at 3 a.m. from a dead sleep, because your heart is racing.

Anxiety is breaking out in a rash for no reason.

Anxiety is stressing over things that may or may not be real.

Anxiety is questioning your faith. ‘How could my Creator allow me to feel this way?’

Anxiety is calling your sister three hours before she gets up for work in hope she’ll answer, so you can get your mind off the attack.

Anxiety is a 2 a.m. shower.

Anxiety is your mood changing, in a matter of minutes.

Anxiety is uncontrollable shaking and twitching.

Anxiety is crying real and painful tears.

Anxiety is nausea.

Anxiety is crippling. Anxiety is dark. Anxiety is having to make up excuse after excuse for your behavior.

Anxiety is fear. Anxiety is worry. Anxiety is physically and emotionally draining.

Anxiety is raw. Anxiety is real.

Anxiety is a fight with your spouse, even though you’re not mad. Anxiety is snapping at the smallest annoyance.

Anxiety is flashbacks. Anxiety is ‘What if?’ Anxiety is a lot of, ‘What’s wrong?’ and ‘I don’t know.’

Your feelings matter…just because you’re bothered by something others aren’t, it doesn’t make you crazy or worthless. Some of the most successful people in life have anxiety. This is not your fault. This is not the end.

Today, for the first time ever, I had to call an ambulance because of this. Today I couldn’t keep my breathing under control. Today I threw up and broke down screaming and crying, asking, ‘Why me?’

As my mom was trying everything in her power to help me, I thought I was going to die. My hands and face were numb. I was shaking so bad I kept asking the paramedic, on the way to the hospital, if my heart was still beating and if I was breathing normal every ten seconds. My heart rate was 140. It got the best of me.

Anxiety is real and I’ll be real with you…if someone you know struggles with panic attacks, please be there for them. Don’t ask, ‘Why are you anxious or freaking out about nothing’ because I’ll tell you every time I. don’t. know.

It doesn’t even make sense to me, but I’ll be praying and hope to get better soon. Thanks to everyone who has texted me, called me trying their best to help me. I love you guys.

I don’t want pity, just awareness. I’ll be good. Promise.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Payton Hall and originally appeared here. Submit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.

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