The Benefits of Telling People About My Panic Disorder | How Sharing Made Me Feel Better

Since developing panic disorder, I have made it a point to tell those close to me that I have it. At first, I was hesitant, but now I am glad I shared it.

The benefits I actually experienced

🍀 Receiving kind words like, "Don't push yourself too hard."

🍀 Learning that people are surprisingly kind.

🍀 Just knowing that they are aware of it makes the environment with that person feel like a "safe base."

🍀 When I talk about my situation, others sometimes open up about their own illnesses or struggles. Knowing there are people working hard while dealing with difficulties in private makes me feel like I need to keep trying too.

People and places I have told so far

Because there are many benefits, I have tried to tell those close to me as much as possible.

My husband and children know, of course, but I haven't told my parents yet because I'm afraid it will worry them.

In terms of work, I have told my supervisor and a few colleagues.

Also, at places I find difficult to visit (hair salons, the dentist, annual checkups), I make sure to tell the person in charge. Just saying it helps my tension ease significantly.

At first, I felt pathetic

I believe the trigger for my panic disorder was the stress of being unable to balance work, home life, and childcare effectively.

At first, I felt, "Other moms are all doing their best, so I am pathetic."

However, to judge by comparing yourself to others, the prerequisites must be the same.

Is the child easy to raise, are they prone to illness, or do they have specific needs?

How is the family dynamic, is the husband cooperative, is it a one-person operation, or is there someone nearby to rely on?

How much work stress is there, are the hours long or short, is the responsibility heavy, or is the workload piled up?

Does one have the necessary housework and childcare skills, what is their stress tolerance, and are they positive or negative?

When we think we aren't doing as well as those around us, we tend to judge as if all these prerequisites were exactly the same, for some reason.

So now, I have decided to make my only criterion for judgment whether or not I am struggling. If I feel overwhelmed, it is proof that I have worked hard enough!

Looking back, I have done my best in my own way with housework, childcare, and work.

Getting sick and developing panic disorder because of that is nothing to be ashamed of. I have finally been able to think that way.

I have no hesitation in telling others

That is why I no longer hesitate to tell people around me. In fact, I know that talking about it makes me feel relieved, so the desire to share is even stronger.

If there is one thing I am concerned about, it is that telling people who do not know much about mental illness might make them feel unnecessarily worried.

I also feel bad about creating a heavy atmosphere, so I try to judge whether the situation is right and mention it casually.

So far, I have never had a bad experience after being honest about it.

I hope to expand my safe base and gradually increase the things I can do ☺️

I am tackling my panic disorder from five different angles. As part of one of those, 'calming the mind,' I talked about sharing this with those around me. I have written in detail about the other four pillars in this article.

If you found this helpful or relatable, I would be happy if you could press the 'like' button. May we increase our peaceful moments together, even if just a little!