As anyone who suffers from anxiety knows, there is no quick fix or miracle cure.
I’ve experienced it throughout my life: overwhelmingly negative thoughts, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, night terrors.
Why does the tiny barman in my brain insist on serving me such an exciting symptomatic cocktail?
Everyone’s different obviously: I’m only qualified to talk about my own anxiety.
But here are five ways I’ve personally discovered not to let anxiety win:
Understand it
Go to the doctor.
Yes I know, it’s Anxiety 101, but it took me years to finally go and get some help.
I had a session with a psychiatrist, which was surprisingly un-scary (although newsflash: it’s not like the movies – there was no couch and I had to slum it in an upright chair!), and was referred for CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
It really helped, as gradually I started to understand my anxiety and learn how to deal with it better.
Own it
Anxiety is nothing to be ashamed of.
I used to worry that people would think I was less fun.
But the way I see it now, this isn’t part of my personality.
I didn’t mean to put it in my shopping basket, it’s just an unexpected item in my bagging area.
What I mean by this confusing and lazy metaphor is that anxiety doesn’t define you. Own it, accept it, but don’t be embarrassed by it.
Share it
I’m not saying shout it from the rooftops (although actually, that does sound therapeutic: see you all on the roof!).
But if you’re finding it hard to cope, talk about it. Over a cuppa. And those posh German biscuits.
Mental illness shouldn’t be a taboo topic but it still is for many people.
Confide in your friends, family, colleagues, milkman. Help them understand what’s going on – it always makes me feel better.
When those negative thoughts are having a party inside my brain they are almost impossible to switch off, but I’ve discovered little distractions can dim the volume a bit.
I find colouring particularly calming.
It helps if you have some truly excellent pens and enjoy shopping for stationery more than any grown woman should admit to.
Laugh at it
At it, with it, just laugh. This is honestly the one that’s helped me the most.
Back in January 2013 my anxiety was trolling me hard.
I was in a permanent state of what I call ‘Towel Face’ (spending a prolonged amount of time in your towel post-shower because getting dressed is too overwhelming) and on a whim I signed up to an improvised comedy course.
Best decision I ever made. Spending three hours a week playing and laughing in a room full of funny people is an utterly joyous experience and I’ve never looked back.
I continued to throw myself into comedy and I’ve just written my own one-woman show, which is inspired in part by my own anxiety.
It’s a cliché for a reason – laughter IS the best medicine. So make it a top priority.
You can catch Naomi’s comedy show I Am Telling You I’m Not Going at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe from August 3-29 at The Pleasance Courtyard.
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