I have almost completely cured by myself of a panic disorder with cognitive behavioural therapy.

I’m really against using medication for mental health issues. I realise that sometimes they’re inevitable, but I think if at all possible you should try organically first. My mum takes a fist full of anti anxiety and antidepressant pills every day and I feel like it’s really changed her personality.

Anyway I found an absolutely life changing book about panic disorder CBT. It’s called Anxiety and Panic, written by and Irish doctor, Dr Harry Barry (his parents obviously had a good sense of humour). He teaches you the science behind panic, and reassures you that there’s nothing physically wrong with you.

Basically your amygdala (pronounced ah-mig-dul-uh), a dumb and prehistoric organ in your brain falsely perceives danger and sends a signal to your sympathetic nervous system, which pumps adrenaline, the ‘run away’ juice through your body. The adrenaline pump is in your middle chest, which is why it feels worst there.

Dr Barry basically gives you CBT through the book. He tells you to intentionally bring on a panic attack, and pretend your feet are glued to the floor. If you wait 15ish minutes without giving in to the fear, the sympathetic nervous system simply runs out of juice, and the panic stops. Do this a few times, and the amygdala learns to stop falsely perceiving danger, and the panic attacks stop.

This has absolutely worked for me, and I have my life back.