Fitness influencer Victoria D’Ariano opens up about her experience with ‘crippling anxiety’

I am lucky to not have, and never have had, anxiety. I've been anxious at times but I'm mostly just a homebody. If I need to go out, it doesn't cause me any stress, I just don't enjoy it that much. Hubby does have severe anxiety and my heart breaks sometimes watching him struggle with it. We are kind of opposites like that. He goes to the gym and worries what people think when they look at him. I go to the gym and doubt anyone bothers to judge me and if they do, they're probably shallow idiots anyway so who cares, LOL. I find it interesting how much anxiety seems to have surged over the past decade(s). Part of it I'm sure is we just diagnose and talk about it more - but I think also in part it's an alienation from our nature in modern society.

Thanks for sharing your experience and insight. Junk food can make it worst or food high in salt .

I'm more prone to depression than anxiety, but I find walking outdoors helps.

Some good advice in this article.

Talking about emotional or mental health issues used to be a huge taboo subject. Thank goodness that more people are talking about such things.

I dont know who this person but its important to understand how tough anxiety can be.

Great advice..

Just start. Small steps are bigger than no steps at all. Understand that everyone’s journey is going to look different and what is best for you might not be what’s best for someone else. I urge you to try and not compare to other women and to enjoy being the person you are; enjoy your journey. I know it can be hard to start and stick with something but focus on how it makes you feel instead of what you think you should be doing or how you should be looking. If mental wellness comes, so will the physical.

There are so many excellent resources online that previous generations had no access to. Take advantage of this free information, but also be mindful of the resources you decide to trust. And, as I said before just start, even if it’s the smallest of things, it all adds up. Most importantly focus on you, and you only. This is your journey, no one else’s.

I’m lucky not to have experienced this, but really feel for those who have.

Anxiety is awful to have.

Such a helpful read, thank you.

Excellent post, BH - thank you. I particularly agree with "I find when I put any form of restrictions on my diet I start having anxiety around food...” - really helpful to have people like this open up about their mental health.

I have had anxiety in the past and deep depression. Now diagnosed with a mood disorder, exercise and friends/family are at times the things keeping me here on this earth. I am good at the moment. Don't be alarmed.

"I wish people understood the severity of mental illness. It really does affect all aspects of a person’s life, just like any other illness and it needs to be talked about with respect, compassion and understanding. As much as you might believe that someone can ‘change their mindset’ or ‘get over it’ it’s not that simple and these types of comments are insensitive and damaging."

This whole paragraph is something I want those who don't suffer with a mental health issue to really understand.

I too suffer from anxiety (social + maybe a bit of generalised anxiety) & I know how debilitating it can be when you're in the throes of it. Luckily for me, having gone through therapy for a 2nd time this year (cannot recommend it enough to anyone out there who is suffering, it WILL help you), I've got even more tools in my mental health toolkit to whip out whenever my brain's on my case. I have noticed that exercise can help with the physical symptoms of anxiety, but I know it doesn't help with the mental side. I think having a multi-faceted approach to dealing with anxiety helps a lot - if something doesn't work, try another way.

I applaud both Victoria for speaking up about her experiences & BH for publishing this article. I'm sure it'll help people realise that they're not alone.

Thank you so much - both to beauty heaven and Victoria. Having honest conversations about mental health makes it less taboo.

"I wish people understood the severity of mental illness. " - This is probably the most honest statement. Whilst many acknowledge it, some tend to turn a blind eye to it. I'm not sure it's a due to lack of education, but it's time that mental illness is at the forefront!

Yes I have been there and found walking helped but also DR and medication -very important to be aware there is help these days.

I've suffered from crippling anxiety and mild anxiety too and both suck big time.

Yeah as she mentions in the article, there is so much help out there these days - so hugely much more than there ever was before in the whole of history!

Luckily have never suffered from this.

How brave of her to share this personal story - very inspiring

It’s important to remember that’s there’s no shame in asking for help. People who judge you have obviously never walked in your shoes.

It's so important to be open about anxiety and to seek help.

It is nice to read about someone opening up about mental health and the things that can assist in improving it.

It's good to hear people speak out about mental health.. Makes it easier when you know you're not alone in something.

Really good article. Anxiety can take over if you don’t learn how to manage it.