Kym Marsh used to suffer from such severe panic attacks she thought she would die.
The ‘Coronation Street’ actress – who plays Michelle Connor in the ITV soap – still has the "occasional feeling of anxiety", but is able to calm herself down if she ever has abrupt feelings of fear or discomfort nowadays.
She said: "It’s great that more people in the public eye are talking about their experiences of dealing with mental health issues, as it makes people realise they’re not on their own.
"I used to suffer from panic attacks, but I don’t any more as I manage my symptoms now. It’s taken a long time to get to this point – I still get the occasional feeling of anxiety, which is a totally normal feeling to experience, but now I treat it like an old friend.
"I used to panic and think, ‘I can’t breathe, I’m going to die,’ whereas now I tell myself that I’ll be alright and I sit with the feelings and I’m able to talk myself around."
Kym has praised her ‘Corrie’ co-star Samia Longchambon for being "brave" after the 35-year-old actress – who plays Maria Connor in the soap – opened up last week after suffering from anxiety since she was 11 years old.
She wrote in her OK! magazine column: "Samia shared with her Instagram followers that she’s suffered with anxiety since she was a child.
"I think it was brave of her to open up like that."
Samia took to her Instagram account last week to reveal her anxiety is "awful" and "all consuming" at times, but praised people for speaking out about their struggles during Mental Health Awareness Week to help remove the stigma.
She wrote on Instagram: "As it’s #mentalhealthawarenessweek I thought I’d post this. I’ve suffered with anxiety since I was 11 (and possibly before that, but that was the first time I saw my doctor about my inability to ‘get a deep breath’). It is something that comes and goes with me, but when it’s there it’s awful and all consuming. I love that the stigma of mental health is finally being broken and people are opening up, talking and realising that you’re not alone.. in fact it is pretty common. I’m not gonna patronise but just wanted to send love out to all people having a daily struggle… #thistooshallpass #gethelp #talk #breathe (sic)"
Kym Marsh recalls suffering from severe panic attacks
