Fall from “Greatness”: My Experience of Anxiety & Panic Attacks, and Why I wrote Generation Panic

When I was in my 20’s, on the surface it seemed like I had it all together. A successful career as a Director managing three teams, earning good money, great family and friends and engaged to be married. However, behind the scenes I was really struggling. I was incredibly ambitious and driven, yet the reality was that I was unable to keep all the plates spinning at the same time. I felt overwhelmed and incredibly lonely as I desperately tried to hold it all together. 

Despite my head trying to tell myself that it was “all ok” and “you’re getting through stuff”, my body ultimately reacted… and I had my first panic attack. It was terrifying and I had no idea what was happening to me. The word anxiety in itself wasn’t even something that I understood or associated with me. 

During this time I searched high and low for a “one stop shop” that was going to ultimately get me back on track and feeling myself again. I read a whole host of books, however found that it was often 350 pages on one technique, and if it didn’t “work” for me then I was left feeling disheartened, frustrated and still anxious. Whenever I spoke about it, I often found myself coming up against the same advice – just do Headspace, try some yoga or take a breather. However, with the state I was in, I couldn’t do it – my mind kept on whizzing and this added to the feeling that I just didn’t “get it” (whatever it was!) 

Over the next few months (and what has continued over the years) was an exploration into a whole host of techniques and tools to feel good again – happier and more myself. I tried and tested so many different things and found that, often a tool that works for one area might not work for another. Or what might be an excellent technique one week, wouldn’t be quite so effective the next. What I really needed was a place that I could return to again and again with everything that I was learning in one place. Likewise, something short, sweet and snappy that I could just jump into get an immediate quick fix on something that I was facing.

And so… Generation Panic was born. I wrote the book for myself. It has since become an amalgamation of over 100 different tips and techniques to combat anxiety and have a positive relationship to it, rather than letting anxiety rule the day. Generation Panic is a toolkit, that I could build on – adding new techniques that worked for me into my ever-expanding knowledge of what I needed when feeling anxious. It has a dip in and out formula with everything I could possibly need within one book. I have, as a result, returned to the invaluable tools again and again.

When I first started writing, it was a flurry of information down on the page – it seemed to flow so easily with all these tools I had accrued. I then “sat” on the book for about 3 years… tweaking and editing, just using it personally and adding to it as I went. In some ways, I jumped into my own head feeling like it was a daunting process to publish a book. However, I got to this point of realisation that if there was one person out there who felt as miserable and frustrated as I did, who’s life could be changed by this book, then it was worth me getting off my backside and getting it into print. I firmly believe that with the help of this book, people do not need to feel as awful as they are feeling currently. There really are simple, empowering and effective tools to start feeling confident and happy again. 

Fast forward a couple of years, I am now at a stage, with wonderful endorsements, a real (!) book, an imminent book launch, audiobook narrated by me (which has just been released on Audible) and publication date around the corner. I feel incredibly proud of what I have achieved, both for me personally with no panic attacks since 2014, but also on a broader scale that Generation Panic might be able to help someone who is feeling lost and alone. I am on a mission to get Generation Panic into the hands of those who need it most. Please join me on my mission and spread the word – they do not need to feel as anxious as they do today and Generation Panic is the way out of that dark place. 

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Agi Heale is an experienced Certified Professional Coach and Founder of Westbourne Associates. She has a coaching practices in London and Singapore, where she runs coaching programs and workshops to help clients who are feeling overwhelmed to feel calm and confident. Agi has suffered from anxiety on and off throughout her life, and had a bout of panic attacks in 2014. Using this book’s simple techniques, she learnt how to manage her anxiety and has not had a panic attack since that time. Agi now lives in Singapore and spends her “free-time” with her husband chasing after her young kids in the Lion City.

Do connect with Agi on social media: 

IG – @agiheale / @generation panic 

LI – https://www.linkedin.com/in/agiheale/

Website: www.generationpanic.com

GENERATION PANIC

This book is a gem. It is accessible, practical and embodies the empathy that is truly therapeutic.’ Dr David Pendleton, Professor in Leadership, Henley Business School.

Feeling anxious and on the back foot? No idea where or how to start getting relief? Anxiety making you feel overwhelmed and alone? In bite-sized chapters, Generation Panic is a simple, easy-to-follow guide that teaches you to take back control and combat your anxiety. With its dip-in-and-out format, Generation Panic is ideal for busy professionals in their twenties and thirties who are not feeling themselves, are out of control and are struggling to manage their anxiety.

From setting boundaries to using the 7-7-7 breathing method, Generation Panic sets out over 100 quick techniques. Start learning all the tools and techniques you need to get back on track and start living a fulfilled, happy and panic-free life again.

BUY HERE 

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Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips