I had an attack last week and as I mentally went through the techniques I’ve been learning in therapy and tried to calm the storm in my mind, I thought back to the very first time I experienced the physical manifestation of my anxiety.

I was in a foreign country in a museum and the air around me suddenly became thin and I felt as if I couldn’t breathe. My body felt warm and my head started spinning. I had to sit down to regain balance and composure.

On the cab ride back to the hotel I sat in the worst traffic I have ever experience (no comparison to the infamous Ochi traffic jam of 2022). All of a sudden my breathing became shallow, my heart was pounding a million miles a minute and my chest felt heavy and tight, I felt as if there were a million pins sticking into every surface of my skin and my lungs just forgot how to function. This was it, I was certain I would die there.

The cab driver rushed me to the hospital where I was poked and prodded, X-rayed and strung up for ECG testing, you can probably guess the test came back normal and there was nothing physically wrong with me. No one told me this, but that night was just the beginning of my journey with an anxiety disorder.

As I remember in vivid details of the beginning of my mental health journey, the fear and dread I experienced, I think about the thousands of people who may be struggling with the exact same thing, unprepared and unequipped.

What information would they need to know to get through this frightening period and help them along their journey?

When I was first diagnosed, I bawled, hysterically. I, like many Jamaicans, did not know or understand mental illnesses. I was confused about what it meant for my future and irrationally afraid of what people would think of me. Here’s what I wish I had known:

You’re not alone

It may seem as if there couldn’t possibly be any other person who understands what you are going through, but trust me, that is not the truth. About 4.1 per cent of Jamaicans suffer from an anxiety disorder and three per cent struggle with a depressive disorder. Mental illnesses are more common that we may be aware and getting help is fairly accessible.

There is help available for you

There are many resources available to Jamaicans who are seeking help for their struggle with mental illness. The Ministry of Health and Wellness has a section of their website dedicated to mental health, filled with resources to help understand what you are going through as well as a helpline for those struggling and in need of someone to speak to. There is a significant number of psychologist and psychiatrists listed online who you can reach out to to schedule an appointment with.

Research with caution

It’s very easy to fall down the rabbit hole of web searches where you can find stories about the terrible experiences of other persons but that won’t make you feel any better. Be careful about the content you consume and read articles that are informative and helpful, without being too experiential.

Express yourself

Suffering in silence is one of the worst things a person could do, in any situation. If you are struggling with negative thoughts that are overwhelming, find someone you can confide in and let it out. Sometimes, the more you talk about it, the more clarity you will receive and the better you will feel

Trust the professionals

Once you have been diagnosed, it’s important that you follow the treatment regime your doctor or therapist has prescribed. The process may seem daunting but consistency is key to your healing and coping journey.

Be patient with yourself

Many treatment regimens take months and several therapy sessions. Your mental illness may not last forever but it will not go away in the blink of an eye. Be patient with the process and give yourself credit for each day that you survive.

It may be initially pretty frightening at first but you are strong and have the capability to overcome. Consider speaking with a mental help professional who will be able to help you on your mental health journey.

All the best!

Sereta Thompson is a public relations professional and mental health advocate. She can be contacted at seretaathompson@gmail.com Follow her on Instagram: @ShadesOfSerri