Aisha was always the strong one in her family. The firstborn daughter, the one everyone looked up to, the problem-solver. But behind her confident exterior, she was drowning.
It started subtly with occasional worry about the future and nervousness in crowds. Then, it escalated. Racing thoughts kept her up at night. Her chest would tighten for no reason. Some mornings, she struggled to leave her room. When she finally did, the streets of Lagos felt overwhelming, the honking, the rushing bodies, the unpredictability of it all.
At first, she brushed it off. "Maybe I’m just tired," she told herself. "It’s probably stress." After all, she had just finished NYSC and was searching for a job. Who wouldn’t be anxious? But soon, things got worse.
One afternoon, in the middle of a job interview at a bustling office in Victoria Island, her body betrayed her. Her palms were sweaty, her heart was hammering. The interviewer’s voice sounded distant like it was coming from underwater. Then, the walls seemed to close in. She couldn’t breathe. She stood up abruptly, mumbled an apology, and ran out.
That was the day she knew something was wrong.
Aisha didn’t know what was happening to her. In her family, "mental health" wasn’t something people talked about. If you were feeling down, you prayed. If you were anxious, you were told to "calm down." She felt ashamed. How could she explain to her mother that she was afraid of things she couldn’t even name?
She tried to push through it. She forced herself to go out with friends, but even a simple visit to the market felt like a battle. The smells, the noise, the bargaining, things she used to enjoy now made her dizzy. Her heart would race, her throat would tighten, and she would have to leave before she fainted.
People started noticing. "Why are you so jumpy?" her cousin asked one day. "You used to be so bold."
That was the problem. She didn’t feel like herself anymore.
One night, after another panic attack left her curled up on the floor of her room, gasping for air, Aisha reached for her phone. She searched: "Why do I feel like I’m dying, but I’m not?"
That’s when she first saw the words: Anxiety Disorder.
She read story after story, people from all over the world describing exactly what she was going through. The pounding heart, the fear, the feeling of suffocation. It wasn’t just in her head. It had a name.
But what could she do about it? Therapy was expensive, and in Nigeria, mental health support wasn’t always easy to find. She considered telling her mother, but she already knew the response: "Just pray about it." Still, she couldn’t go on like this.
Aisha turned to the internet. She found a Nigerian mental health advocate on Instagram who shared tips on managing anxiety. She learned about deep breathing exercises, grounding techniques, and something called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a way to challenge anxious thoughts.
One day, she came across a local mental health support group. It was a small, online community where people shared their experiences with anxiety and depression in Nigeria. She joined hesitantly, not knowing what to expect.
For the first time, she felt seen.
There were people like her, young professionals, students, and even mothers struggling with anxiety. They talked about how they coped, how they managed their panic attacks, and how they convinced their families to take mental health seriously.
Encouraged, Aisha decided to open up to her younger sister. To her surprise, her sister didn’t laugh. Instead, she listened. "Let’s figure this out together," she said.
Aisha knew she couldn’t snap her fingers and make the anxiety disappear. But she started taking these small steps.
Breathing exercises: Whenever she felt a panic attack coming, she focused on slowing her breathing. In for four seconds, hold for four, out for four.
Journaling: She began writing down her thoughts, this helped her process her feelings better and understand her triggers.
Setting boundaries: She learned to say no to things that overwhelmed her, even if it meant disappointing people.
Talking to someone: In Aisha’s case, she opened up to her sister. She discovered that talking about her feelings helped to reduce the intensity of her worries.
Sleep and Rest: She understood that lack of sleep could worsen her symptoms so she made it a point to go to bed early and maintain a consistent nighttime routine.
Reduce Caffeine and Sugar: Studies have shown that caffeine can play a huge role in worsening anxiety symptoms. This was also one of the habits Aisha found most difficult to give up. She loved her morning cup of coffee, but when it came down to either her mental health or the hot beverage, she chose her mental health.
Seeking professional help: Aside from taking all these steps, Aisha also made it a point to maintain a once-a-week appointment with a mental health therapist.
Her biggest victory came a few months later. She had another job interview. This time, when she felt the familiar wave of panic creeping in, she used the techniques she had learned. She took slow breaths, reminded herself she was safe and walked in with confidence.
She got the job!
Aisha still has anxious moments, but now, she knows how to handle them. Anxiety no longer controls her life. She speaks openly about her experience, hoping to help others the way that Instagram advocate helped her.
She wishes mental health was taken more seriously in Nigeria. She wishes there were more resources and more understanding. But for now, she focuses on what she can control, her healing, her growth, and her ability to help others.
Her journey isn’t over, but she’s no longer running. She’s facing it, one day at a time.
If Aisha’s story sounds familiar, know this, you are not alone. Anxiety is real, but so is recovery. It might take time, but there is hope. Whether through therapy, self-help techniques, or support groups, you can take control of your mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, reach out. Talk to a trusted friend, find a support group, or look for mental health resources near you. Your journey to healing starts with one step.
And just like Aisha, you will get through this.
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