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Maria Thattil has shared her ongoing battle with generalized anxiety disorder.
The former Miss Universe Australia, 28, opened up about her diagnosis in a column for 9Honey, revealing that her symptoms can sometimes be so extreme that she can’t see or breathe.
She explained in her article that she was diagnosed with anxiety in 2013.
Maria Thattil has shared her ongoing battle with generalized anxiety disorder
“Moments when fear clouds my vision like a fog and my lungs constrict when I breathe in,” she said of her experience of fear.
“It turns into black smoke that suffocates me and suddenly I can’t breathe or see anything.”
The I’m a Celebrity star also said she has “bouts and bouts of worry,” as well as “difficulty concentrating, restlessness, fatigue, irritability, and trouble sleeping.”
“As I get older and pursue more, do more and meet my goals more, I feel happy, motivated and inspired. And yet I have moments when I lose myself,” she added.
Maria, a mental health advocate, shared her experiences to “normalize the conversation and empower others to be patient with themselves to get the help they need.”
The former Miss Universe Australia, 28, opened up about her diagnosis in a column for 9Honey, revealing that her symptoms can sometimes be so extreme that she can’t see or breathe
“All of our experiences are valid and there are resources that can help,” she said.
This isn’t the first time Maria has spoken about mental health. In March, she revealed to her Instagram followers that she had started seeing her psychologist again.
“I’ve been candid about how my anxiety has flared up lately as I go through many career changes while also working through the human things we experience in our personal lives,” she wrote at the time.
Maria, a mental health advocate, shared her experiences to “normalize the conversation and empower others to be patient with themselves to get the help they need.”
“I love sharing what I’m grateful for here and the abundance I create. But it would be remiss to ignore the fact that every peak has a valley.
“Anxiety is not a new condition to me, I developed anxious tendencies growing up that I’ve learned to manage as an adult, but it can spiral at times. Couple this with challenges in your personal life and the experience is amplified.’
She concluded: “Please know I’m really fine. Just as I get regular physical exams, I made a promise to myself last year that I will start seeing a mental health professional to make sure I’m managing my mental health the same way.
Last week, Maria spoke about her ordeal with sleep paralysis: the temporary inability to move or speak that typically occurs when you fall asleep or wake up
“If you too struggle with mental health issues, let this post be a reminder that you and I are connected in this universal human experience.”
Last week, Maria spoke about her ordeal with sleep paralysis: the temporary inability to move or speak that typically occurs when you fall asleep or wake up.
It can make people feel choking, put pressure on their body, or even hallucinate.
“So I’ve been having sleep paralysis lately,” Maria said in a video on Instagram. “I wish that wasn’t something I said because I hate it.”
“Last night wasn’t scary. I was just in bed, woke up and it felt like someone got into bed with me and put their arms around me.
The reality TV star then asked her fans for advice on how to prevent sleep paralysis from reoccurring.
“If any of you should suggest Ghostbusters, [you’re] banned immediately,” she added.
If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14