How to deal with Family Going Overseas.

[artiste9909]

Hello guys, I’ve been going through a rather tough time in my life.  For the past few months I have been experiencing frequent panic attacks, anxiety and insomnia.  I’m grateful that my parents have been with me throughout, however they will be going overseas for a quite awhile and for the past few days I’ve been panicking quite hard on how I’m going to cope without them around.  I’m worried that if they aren’t around, I won’t be able to manage if my panic attacks etc occurs.

Does anyone have any tips?

[Sophie_M]

Hello artiste9909, 

Thank you so much for reaching out to our community and sharing your experience with us. Panic can truly be so overwhelming and exhausting, can't it? You’re doing an amazing job, simply by reaching out for support. It makes sense that you might be feeling anxious about your parents being gone, especially when they have been such a consistent anchor for you. Maybe we can figure out some other supportive strategies together?

For example, it might be helpful to look at what exactly it is about your parents being there that helps to ground you. If you can identify the specifics, you may be able to find other people, places, things, or activities that help to create a similar sense of comfort.

The most important thing here is to know you are not alone and that it's okay you are feeling this way. It sounds like your body is sending you lots of signals that you are 'unsafe’, and they can be hard to ignore (even if they are untrue). Maybe you could start with finding one small thing that you know could make you feel even 1% more calm in those moments? Perhaps the sun on your skin, a favourite song, or a warm shower?

Movement is also a really good tool for panic and anxiety, because it allows us to discharge the anxious energy that has built up in the body. Think: dancing, working out, walking, shaking your arms and legs, squeezing and releasing your muscles (progressive muscle relaxation). 

Therapy in a Nutshell provides great psychoeducation around these strategies and other ways to manage anxiety. You could start by following this video: Having a Panic Attack? The Anti-Struggle Technique -A Guided Walkthrough to Stop a Panic Attack - Yo...
The Centre for Clinical Interventions also have some wonderful free resources on panic that you could explore: Panic Disorder Self-Help Resources - Information Sheets & Workbooks

Please let us know how you go. You are always welcome to come back and comment on this thread to share any anxieties you have while your parents are gone. You should hear more from our community very soon. 😊

We hope you have a lovely weekend!

Warm regards, 
Sophie M.