Don’t worry, it’s only a panic attack?!?

Workplaces should be environments where everyone can thrive, and great leaders create a space where mental health is recognized and promoted.

I came across an alarming study that showed 49% of respondents would be unlikely to tell their boss or employer about problems such as anxiety or depression.

After another severe episode this year, I want to share a little with you about my anxiety and how we should build businesses that allow each of us to talk about and help with our vulnerabilities.

Is this a heart attack?

The first time I had a full-blown episode was after my father had just suffered a heart attack. As always, I was juggling a mountain of work that running a business throws at you. 

Of course, I dropped everything and jumped on the first available flight I could get to the US. Wife and toddler in tow.

I hadn't been sleeping much and of course, made the most of the bar on the plane. The flight was a bit of a nightmare with the kiddo, who didn't want to sleep. So when we arrived in the US, the day was night and night was day. So the sleeplessness continued stateside. 

A few days into the trip, out of nowhere, my heart started racing. I was hot and cold, had twitchy legs, and I began to feel heavy in my chest. I couldn't catch my breath. 

What was this feeling? The only thing going through my mind was, "am I having a heart attack?".

Fortunately, it was 'just' a panic attack. But I continued to have two attacks each day for the whole time in the US, which is paralyzing in many ways.

This occasion wasn't the only time I have suffered from anxiety. Anyone who has worked with me will explain I set myself what seem to be impossible goals. 

At various times in my career, I found myself in bed unable to sleep under the weight of pressure, with a dull ache across my chest. But never like the episode in the US.

I was lucky. I worked in an environment that I was entirely responsible for shaping. And the people who worked with me are comfortable discussing their mental health. I know I spoke about it openly.

I began to change my habits, lifestyle, and being open-minded that this could happen and be a real thing was vital. Plus getting medication was a huge help.

So that's it, I'm better now?

I thought I was. It's been two years since I've felt anything remotely like a panic attack, until the start of this year.

Monday 18th January 2021, 03:00 in the morning. Wide awake. A wave of hot and cold sweats and that heavy feeling hitting me like a truck. And of course, it didn't stop there.

It was mentally paralyzing. 

I could only ask myself why? What have I got to worry about? Everyone was healthy? Work is challenging given the pandemic, but loving every minute. I didn't have anything to complain about so I couldn't answer why this was happening. 

A video call to the doctor, an increased dose of meds, some time off work, getting help with the kids and some internal rationalization led me to realize how hard the last year had been.

But you're always so happy?

Yeah, I am. I class myself as a highly resilient person. I'm pretty happy, like a joke and always smiling, because positivity and the right attitude goes a long way. It builds momentum, which delivers results. I take a lot on and love the challenge that brings. I know myself. 

The irony is that I'd spoken to a friend of mine and agency owner just the week before and my episode supporting him while he was in a pickle. And I didn't even know I was the one who needed help.

Just because you're the fun, happy one, cracking jokes. It doesn't mean you're not slowly decaying inside. Perhaps unconsciously. But it's happening.

What can we do to help ourselves and others?

Mental health is rapidly losing its taboo and stigma, which is huge. But it's still a difficult subject to open up about, especially among men.

So how am I going to fix myself?

Headspace - I'm going to change this time around and make time to get headspace. Meditation, running, properly connecting with friends with some online gaming and making the most of hobbies that have become difficult but perhaps not impossible during the pandemic. But moreover, I'm going to make sure I have time to myself to reflect in a way that I can turn the noise down that life brings.

Communication - I'm going to make sure I communicate better with my wife, family and friends. For someone like me, who would be described as an extrovert, I have a seriously strong introverted side. So I'm going to proactively make time to call people, without video for a change, and be more open about the pressures I'm going through no matter how trivial they may seem to me.

Health - I'm going to fix my quarantine diet, get training again and drop some weight. Hand in hand with this will be cutting back on the deliciousness of wine.

Digital detox - Getting away from a screen of any sort is so necessary. So I'm going to ditch the phone more and opt to read books and magazines over more extended periods.

Listen - I'm going to listen harder to people around me and ensure I'm there to spot any problems they're having even if they're not aware. And hopefully, they might spot mine!

What should we, as business leaders be doing?

With mental health problems affecting one in six British workers each year, we are responsible as business leaders to create a workplace that helps employees thrive rather than hiding their suffering.

Looking at the mental health core standards is a great starting point:

• Produce, implement and communicate a mental health at work plan
• Developmental health awareness among employees
• Encourage open conversation about mental health and the support available when employees are struggling
• Provide good working conditions and ensure a healthy work-life balance and opportunities for development
• Promote effective people management
• Routinely monitor employee mental health and well-being

Take a look at your internal practices, how rigorously are you putting the above steps into action? A key to the successful implementation is to have both a top-down and bottom-up approach.

Design your plan with input from your employees. This will give you a clear roadmap of what you need to implement and your people's support. But without leadership at the top being a part of this, how can your staff trust you enough to share their mental health concerns if you can't or won't do the same. Be open; share your own stories and experience. Build trust within your organization by showing how much you trust everyone there with your battles.

Lunch and learn sessions are also an incredible way to help create an environment of teamwork, collaboration and sharing. They are also a great way to help employees step away from their desks and make them feel cared for with training and a free lunch! Make sure you attend too, it's an excellent way for your team to see you willing to participate and learn alongside them.

However, you choose to create inclusive and supportive relationships and workplace essential to business success. Your employees are what your business success is built upon, help them to be successful. 

Be kind, listen to what people are really saying rather than simply the words they're using. Ask direct questions to make sure they're ok - and do the same to yourself. Don't bottle it up. We're all going through something.