Facing Anxiety:

A Personal Story of Panic, Dreams, and Seeking Help

When Anxiety Feels Like a Flood

I almost drowned last night. Waves from the ocean crashed into our house. Faceless friends ran up and down the stairs looking for shelter, and from my balcony I watched massive waves rise above the home.

Inside, the water moved smooth and slow, like a bedsheet covering each corner. Each time the waves outside pulled back, the water inside drained slightly, but with every slam it rose higher, nearly covering me from head to toe. Panic gripped me. Then my alarm went off. I reached blindly for my wife, and sleep pulled me straight back into the dream. The flooding house repeated itself over and over.

The Reality of Anxiety-Driven Dreams

The panic faded once I fully woke, but the tension lingered. A low vibration under my skin. Present, familiar, not usually disruptive. A therapist once named it exactly what it felt like: Anxious Brain (AB).

Meeting My Anxious Brain Head-On

In therapy, we gave it a name and began responding to it.

When AB told me I didn’t deserve to be a leader at work, we reminded ourselves of my ten years of hard work. When AB said I wasn’t good enough for my spouse, we listed the ways I show up as a loving and supportive partner. When AB insisted I was failing my friends, my child, or my dreams, we countered with facts and encouragement. We fought back—until it didn’t seem to work anymore.

When Life Becomes Too Much

Stress, work, family, motherhood, finances, brain chemistry—any of these could be blamed. But what mattered most was the constant dread that wouldn’t drain, just like the water in my dream. I spiraled through thoughts during meetings, traffic, bedtime routines. I feared failing at everything I once loved. Focus slipped. Joy slipped.

Seeking Professional Help for Anxiety and Panic

Eventually, I called a psychiatrist and started medication. Three new pills, a plan for a calmer future, and support from professionals gave me hope. If you’re in this place, or anywhere near it, please seek help. If you’re not ready for a professional, lean on a friend or a family member. You are not alone.

There is no shame in seeking support for your mental health. Therapy, meditation, exercise, medication—whatever helps you function and find steadiness matters. Your mental health is as important as your physical health.

A Breathing Exercise to Calm Anxiety

Try this when panic or anxious thoughts take over:

Inhale through your nose for 4 counts. Hold for 4 counts. Exhale through your mouth for 6 counts. Repeat for 3–5 minutes, staying with the rhythm of your breath. This can ground you, slow your thoughts, and calm your nervous system.

You Are Not Alone

Beautiful girl, the world needs you. You are more than your anxiety and your panic. With support, care, and professional guidance, we can navigate this together.