Lauren Mahon, aka the powerhouse behind the online community, website and clothing line Girl vs Cancer, had her first panic attack when she was 16.

“I remember I was at college in my lesson and I just felt this massive sense of dread and panic in my body. I didn’t really understand why my heart was racing so fast and why I felt quite sweaty, clammy and shaky.

“I thought, ‘Oh, what is this?’

“I was convinced that I was dying, that something really bad was happening in my body. I think that was the first time I had ever had what I’d say was a panic attack.”

Since then, Mahon has developed a toolkit to help her deal with panic attacks when and as they come. 

“Therapy has been a lifeline for me. I didn’t realise that counselling and therapy is for everybody. I think the main thing to remember is that you may suffer with anxiety and panic attacks, but you can still have a normal, full life.

“You’re not strange. This is a very normal reaction to stress, trauma or anxiety in your body. You’re going to be OK. It’s just something that is part of the tapestry of you.”

Here, Mahon discusses building a toolkit to deal with panic attacks as and when they come.