Rebecca Gibney's secret mental health battle
Australian actor and TV star Rebecca Gibney has spoken candidly about her struggles with a mental health condition one in four people deal with every day.
In an interview with Good Health, the 52-year-old spoke of her struggles with anxiety, and the steps she takes to cope with this common mental disorder.
Gibney, who reportedly experienced her first panic attack at the young age of 14, is quite familiar in the symptoms of this sometimes-debilitating condition.
The actor explained, “I can feel my heart rate start to quicken and I start to feel physically sick. It’s a feeling that you are losing control and sometimes it can be so bad you feel like you’re having a heart attack.”
After the condition became particularly unstable, Gibney sought the help of a psychiatrist who advised her to use breathing techniques and meditation.
Gibney says, “I haven’t had one for eight or nine years, but I wouldn’t say I’m cured.”
Panic disorders can be triggered by stress, negative experiences, medical conditions and even a family history.
Do you ever suffer from anxiety?