Name: Allyson Carter
Mental Health Struggles: I struggle with panic attacks and anxiety.
What does an average day look like for you? (Don’t be afraid to share about your mental health struggles!)
It’s a lot better than it yes to be. When it was really bad before I got help, I couldn’t go outside much without freaking out. It got easier the more I did it. When we lived in mountains of WV it was the worst. My husband helped me pinpoint it was due to one time we went through there and almost got hit by a semi in a tunnel, close to where we lived at the time when going to NC. So, those mountains are a major trigger for me and I hope we never go through them again! My days now I try to stay positive and if I feel one coming on, refocus and repeat that I’m safe.
What steps do you find help you when struggling with your mental health struggles?
Praying helps me. Also, letting my husband know that I’m struggling. He’s good about getting me out of or helping me through an attack. Stopping what I’m doing and focus on something else helps a lot. Positive self talk helps.
How do you find your mental health struggles affect those around you?
It doesn’t as much now as it did when it was really bad. I guess it would affect my husband the most. My kids don’t seem to notice unless the panic attack is bad, and then they help me doing something to keep busy and pin point what is causing it.
What’s one thing you love about yourself?
That I’m creative.
What are five things you are thankful for (other than family, friends, food and shelter –home)?
God
Bible journaling
Defying Shadows blog
My readers
flowers
How has your life changed for the best from last year?
I continue to get stronger and not allow anxiety to rule my life. I’ve become more positive. I can’t really say it has changed a lot in the last year, now two years ago, yes. That was my big turn around. Everything changed. IT all clicked together, then. One thing this year is I found this amazing blog. So encouraging!
What’s your personal motto?
Don’t give up, no matter what.
What song is most played on your playlist?
That’s a hard one. It changes all the time. I guess it would be Oceans by Hillsong. I go to that one when I need a pick me up.
If you had to pick a character from a movie or tv show, who do you relate most to?
Lorelai Gilmore, I get her. We both love coffee, coffee ,coffee.
What motivates you?
My faith and my family.
Allyson is a published author, blogger, wife and mom to 4 kids. Three of her children are on the autism spectrum. She suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. On her blog you can find her writing about being an author, her faith and family. She resides in Missouri with her loving husband and four wonderful children, and three cats. She’s addicted to knitting and coffee.
You can follow Allyson on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
Defying Shadows 