"I could see the rides in my head: attractions like the Emotional Rollercoaster, representing the rise and fall of a panic attack, the Depression Obstacle Course, a treacherous and challenging trail, and the House of No Fun, a confusing maze of dissociation and depersonalisation."
"I had ridden on the Anxie-Tea Cups, on which I realised that drinking a nice cup of tea as one counsellor suggested was not sufficient treatment for a clinical anxiety disorder."
"The Downward Spiral was a terrifying slide into the unknown. I'd experienced panic attacks before, beginning at 14, and I already struggled with phobias, including agoraphobia."
"There was no clear trigger for the panic that enveloped my every waking moment in Oakland and that made me feel even more out of control."
In 2018, a resident of Oakland faced a surge of panic attacks after years of managing anxiety and depression. The individual likened their experience to a chaotic theme park, with various attractions symbolizing different aspects of their mental health struggles. Despite previous coping mechanisms, the sudden onset of panic disorder felt unfamiliar and frightening. The lack of a clear trigger for the panic heightened feelings of helplessness, leading to a profound sense of losing control over their life and mental state.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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