Anxiety UK applauds American woman’s extraordinary New Years resolution
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Every year, many of us make a New Year’s resolution. A great number of people resolve to be more physically fit, to eat more healthily or to spend more quality time with their family. But one American woman’s resolution was much greater. Arlynn Presser, an agoraphobic since her teens, was determined to meet all 324 of her Facebook friends in an effort to beat her anxiety.
Like many with the condition, Arlynn’s agoraphobia triggered intense panic attacks, making it impossible for her to leave her home and for a time was unable to leave her bedroom. But this time last year, she made the daunting decision to travel the world to meet each of her Facebook friends.
At the beginning of 2011 she said on her blog, “I’m scared of travel. I’m scared of flying. I’m scared of just about anything outside my door. I probably use Facebook to keep in touch with my friends in a way that may be good or might just give me a false sense of intimacy. … I will meet every one of my Facebook friends this year, and I figure I’m going to be surprised. A lot.”
At the end of 2011, Arlynn had managed to meet 292 friends, travelling to 11 countries. “Arlynn’s efforts are a huge inspiration to anyone who struggles with anxiety,” explains Nicky Lidbetter, Anxiety UK’s CEO who herself has lived with agoraphobia for more than 20 years. “Arlynn has displayed extraordinary courage and as a result is no longer a prisoner in her own home. Anxiety UK would like to encourage those who are struggling, to take inspiration from Arlynn and to take steps to overcome their fears.”
While Arlynn still gets panic attacks, she is now better prepared to work through them. Indeed that is the experience of many people who, with the help and support of Anxiety UK, are able to manage their anxiety long term. While a person may never be totally free from their anxiety, learning to take steps to better manage it in the future is the key.
Anxiety UK supports thousands of people a year who are struggling with a range of anxiety disorders. The charity encourages anyone who is experiencing anxiety for the first time to get in touch. Nicky Lidbetter continues, “Nobody struggling with anxiety need suffer alone. We can do so much to help.”
