Anxiety Recovery Success Story: From Hiding to Healing: How Lauren Faced Anxiety After Years of Avoidance
- Shannon Jackson
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
If you’ve ever found yourself avoiding places, situations, or even entire seasons because of anxiety or panic, this episode of A Healthy Push is for you.
I had the joy of sitting down with Lauren, a recent graduate of my Panic to Peace program, to talk about her powerful journey through anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia—and how she’s come out the other side with more confidence, self-compassion, and freedom than she ever thought possible.
Anxiety Recovery Success Story - Lauren
When Panic Hits Hard
Lauren’s journey really started to shift after a series of stressful life events—including the loss of her grandmother, a difficult work environment, and an unexpected panic episode that left her terrified of the heat, being outside, and even riding the train in her home city of Brooklyn.
Like so many high-achievers, Lauren initially responded with "fix-it mode." She read the books, tried the supplements, did all the things—but still felt stuck and overwhelmed. What she was really avoiding was the feeling itself.
The Turning Point
Lauren shared openly about the shame she felt asking for help—not just from her therapist or psychiatrist, but from her partner, her employer, and even herself. It wasn’t until she stopped pushing her feelings away and started acknowledging them that things began to shift.
She got honest about how much she was struggling. She began doing gentle exposures—starting with five-minute walks in the heat and short train rides, slowly working her way up. And she joined the Panic to Peace program, despite initially fearing that being in a group would make her anxiety worse. Spoiler alert: It didn’t. In fact, it helped her heal in ways she didn’t think were possible.
From Avoidance to Empowerment
Now? Lauren is traveling again—including cross-country flights for work. She’s going to concerts, visiting museums, and spending time in the sun. Most importantly, she’s built a relationship with herself based on trust, not fear.
She still has moments of anxiety—because she’s human. But instead of spiraling, she now meets those moments with compassion, awareness, and the knowledge that she can handle them.
What Helped Her Most
Here are a few of Lauren’s biggest takeaways:
You can’t out-think or fix your way out of anxiety. You have to feel it.
Acknowledging your feelings is not weakness—it’s the beginning of healing.
Community matters. Being around others who understand what you’re going through makes a world of difference.
Recovery isn’t about never feeling anxious again—it’s about learning to live fully even when you do.
Ready to Take Your Own Steps?
If you saw yourself in Lauren’s story, know this: You’re not broken. You’re not alone. And yes, you can (and will) get better.
Want support and guidance as you take your next steps? My 10-week program, Panic to Peace, is here to help you build confidence, face your fears, and take back your life—just like Lauren did.
And if you haven’t listened to the full episode yet, you need to. It’s one of the most validating, insightful, and heartwarming conversations I’ve had.
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