Katy West, a World Powerlifting Championship silver medalist who has experienced panic attacks, anxiety and depression, blogs on how exercise helped.
In September 2015, I travelled on my own to Las Vegas to compete in the GPC World Powerlifting Championships. That alone is a huge achievement but for me, it was all the more remarkable given that two years ago, a 4 mile bus journey could result in a panic attack.
I was pretty sceptical and the thought of going to a gym on my own terrified me.
In hindsight, I’d say I’ve lived with anxiety and depression since I was around 20 but it wasn’t until I was 27 that I sought medical help from my GP and received a diagnosis. Until this point, I was dealing with extremely low moods, self loathing and panic attacks on a daily basis. I had suicidal thoughts and incredibly low self esteem. Getting out of bed was such a struggle that I would phone in sick to work then stay in bed all day and I had no interest in socialising. I would regularly make plans, knowing full well I wasn’t going to go and then I’d cancel at the last minute.
Eventually the panic attacks and negative thoughts worsened and I became very worried so I went to my GP. Initially I was prescribed medication but on a follow up appointment, he gave me an exercise referral to a local gym.
Read the rest of Katy’s story on the Mind website here >> http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/your-stories/from-panic-attacks-to-powerlifts/#.Vt16BZOLSV7