But my first panic attack was in 2012 and very few people were talking about mental health as openly and acceptingly as they now do. In 2012 I was still convinced that if anyone found out how mental I was I would be locked up. I was also, stupidly, incredibly embarrassed by my crumbling mental health. I was embarrassed that I was suddenly unable to commit to writing an article without feeling sick, or get into the lift at work without hyperventilating.
