Lori Hoxha has been constantly open about her mental health problems, talking about her experience with anxiety and panic. Given this, a good deal of the messages that followers send to bloggers relate to exactly how they managed to improve their anxiety symptoms. Lacking a YouTube video, Lori addressed Instagram at a follow-up question-and-answer session.
?It's not something simple to talk about. There is still a lot of prejudice and shame about this subject, but I see how interested you are in anxiety, so I will try to help some, ?she writes.
What causes anxiety?
?I don't know what causes it, initially. I experienced panic attacks for the first time in 2012, all of a sudden. Now I think it comes from fears about health and many thoughts. "
Have you had any physical symptoms? For a long time, I felt a tightening in my chest.
"Yes !!! That bothered me. It was impossible for me to have [physical] pain and I was even more anxious because every time I experienced a new symptom, I thought it was something more serious. Symptoms: respiratory problems, blurred vision, hot or cold sensations, body tremor, dry mouth, uncontrolled heartbeat, dizziness, abdominal pain, leg cramps and many more. At some point, I thought I had sclerosis, cancer or a brain tumor. "
More medications?
?I did not take daily medication, but I had with me all the time soothing in the event of a panic attack. I have always tried to avoid medications because I believed in the power of my brain and body, but sometimes the hormone that is lacking in the body that causes this disease must be kept under control. Of course I'm not a doctor and you should always consult a doctor. I only speak from my own experience. ?
What support did you get from relatives?
?I needed everyone to know what I was experiencing, which made me feel safer. My little sister suffers from anxiety as well and just communicating with her makes me think such a feeling is 'normal'. I think the most important thing when you have a mental health problem is to think it's normal and someone else has experienced it and understands what's going on. Whenever I feel unwell, I talk to him or the people around me. It makes me feel good. Note: If you know someone who has faced such a problem, just talk to him. "
When did you first experience anxiety? Before the twenties, I had no idea what anxiety was.
?In 2012. I was in a beauty salon and thought I was experiencing a heart attack and ran to the hospital. No one told me I was having panic attacks and had been visiting hospitals for eight months. As I left home. I dropped out of school. I thought I had a rare illness and the doctors weren't finding what I was until one day I searched Google for my symptoms and found panic attack and anxiety forums. There I found myself. Then I knew what I was up to and started educating myself. I have been suffering from anxiety ever since. The most difficult period was 2012 and last summer. ?
Did you consult with a psychologist?
"Yes. Talking to someone helps you. ?
I worry more than I should. Any advice?
?I do something else. Watch a movie or tv. I see 'Friends'. Go to the gym or start meditation. Download an app called 'Headspace' and see if it works for you. ?
Is there a specific place where you are most likely to experience anxiety?
"Public places, closed places or anywhere else I think I can't handle a certain situation."
Have you discovered what causes anxiety?
?Not exactly. I think it's genetic and / or traumatic in life. I don't care why. I realize there's no reason to ask 'why me?', So instead I focus on what I can do to help myself. "
Have you used medication?
"No. It passed itself. ?
I experience anxiety when I think I might lose a loved one. It's the worst period for me.
"This is my biggest fear in life, but I have realized that whatever happens, I and my anxiety do not have the strength to stop it. Leave it to the Lord. "
Does it ever finally go away or does it appear at different times in life?
"I do not know. Maybe there are people who have that good fortune. I come back from time to time and I believe this is my destiny. ?
Take advantage of the opportunity and tell people not to sign in to Google to see the symptoms.
?Rule number 1 anxiety. Google is my biggest enemy. I did every possible analysis 3-4 times because I thought I was sick, according to Google. Just don't do it. Look for forums of people talking about their anxiety symptoms and so on. "
Don't you think it's exaggerated?
?No, I don't think so. In fact, I think you should not judge a situation that you have not gone through, and I also think that people like you and such opinions are the reason why people in our society are locked into themselves and do not feel free to talk about such problems and as a consequence, they suffer worse and longer. Because it doesn't come up in tests and if you don't see the doctor in the eco, it doesn't exist or not? Edukohu.
How can someone who seems to have a perfect life have these problems?
?Anxiety doesn't choose. No one has a perfect life. It takes a fraction of a second to make a picture. The other 24 hours nobody sees. ?
?Listen, it's not easy to talk about something like this and you know how much I am judged on what I do and what I say. But it makes me feel good reading your messages and the fact that I can help someone. Don't take social networks too seriously, get what you need. Talking about such a problem is not a way to gain attention. I can easily take it with a bikini photo. I know my photos are cute and I take the time to cure them, but sometimes I feel like I'm not using my platform to show who I really am. Social networks ruin and become a vicious circle of looking pretty, taking photos, getting likes, feeling good for a few moments, and I really don't want that anymore. So if I can shed light on something, I want it to be about mental health, ?she concludes.
