Wil Wheaton Describes What It's Like To Suffer From Anxiety, Then Get Help: 'I'm Not Just Existing, I'm Living'

Wil Wheaton On Getting Help For Anxiety: 'I'm Not Just Existing, I'm Living'
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Actor and writer Wil Wheaton is used to being interviewed about his work on TV shows such as The Big Bang Theory, but in the above video he opens up about a topic far more personal.

Wheaton suffers from Generalised Anxiety Disorder, which is often characterised by feeling anxious and fearful for a long period of time, but not feeling anxious about anything specific that is happening.

As part of Project UROK, Wheaton shares his story in order to raise awareness about mental health issues.

"I wasn't aware that my mental illness was affecting me until I had been suffering from it for easily about 15 to 20 years," he explains.

"What I accepted as 'normal' was part of my mental illness expressing itself."

Wheaton found everyday situations such as being stuck in traffic extremely stressful and decided to seek help around six years ago after a day at a crowded airport caused him to "totally freak out".

His wife was the one who suggested he needed to see a doctor. It was then that he visited a psychiatrist and was prescribed medication.

Just two weeks later, Wheaton felt that his mood and overall outlook had improved.

"My wife and I were having a walk in the neighbourhood and I realised that it was just a really beautiful day - it was warm with just a little bit of a breeze, the birds sounded really beautiful, the flowers smelled really great and my wife's hand felt really good in mine," he says.

"And as we were walking I just started to cry and she was like 'what's wrong?'

"I said 'I just realised that I don't feel bad and I just realised that I'm not existing, I'm living'.

"The best way that I could describe it was that I had lived my life in a room that was so loud, all I could do every day was deal with how loud it was. But I found a doorway out of that room."

As well as raising awareness about mental illness, Project UROK aims to create "a sense of comfort, a sense of belonging, and a sense of hope" for young sufferers.

Wheaton does not want people suffering from anxiety to shy away from seeking the help that they need.

"Live life with depression, rather than live life through depression," he says.

"You are not the only person in the world who has anxiety. You are not the only person in the world who has depression. And you are not the only person who has had thoughts of self harm.

But there are people who want to help you."

If you're experiencing feelings of anxiety or depression, here are some websites and helplines you may find useful:

  • Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
  • Young Minds offers information to young people about mental health and emotional wellbeing
  • HeadMeds - a straight-talking website on mental health medication
  • 10 Common Symptoms Of Anxiety
    Trouble Sleeping(01 of10)
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    Are you sleeping six or eight hours? Or are you tossing and turning every night with worry? If your sleep is accompanied by respiratory problems like snoring, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness or daytime sleepiness, talk to your doctor about anxiety, says Dr. Prakash Masand, a psychiatrist and president of Global Medical Education based in New York City. (credit:LWA via Getty Images)
    Stressed Out (02 of10)
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    If you're constantly feeling stressed out about your work life, family life or personal life, it may be a symptom of anxiety. Experts say if your stress is long-term, it could leave you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. (credit:Jetta Productions via Getty Images)
    Burned Out (03 of10)
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    Not only are you stressed out, but your body also feels like it is burning out and shutting down. Masand says if you feel overworked and it is continuously getting in the way of your day-to-day functioning, it could be anxiety. (credit:Sam Edwards via Getty Images)
    Scared, Worried Or Frightened (04 of10)
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    If you're constantly and unexpectedly worried, scared or frightened by something with an uncertain result, it could be a sign of anxiety, Masand says. Worrying can be reduced by observing your thoughts and feelings and learning how to take control and accept your current situation — as opposed to being fearful of it, according to PsychCentral. (credit:Martin Barraud via Getty Images)
    Stomach Knots (05 of10)
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    If you experience stomach knots or upset stomachs that are sudden, it could be another symptom of anxiety. Masand says if your stomach difficulties are also followed by diarrhea, severe constipation, nausea or vomiting, speak to your doctor to rule out other medical conditions. (credit:Piotr Marcinski via Getty Images)
    Chest Tightness (06 of10)
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    Masand says you should also be mindful of chest tightening and other symptoms related to breathing and your heart. This may include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, pressure or fullness in the centre of the chest and/or a radiating chest, arms or back pain. If you have these associated symptoms, you need to seek emergency care immediately. (credit:laflor via Getty Images)
    Headaches (07 of10)
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    You may get a headache from time to time depending on your workflow or sleep routine, but Masand says if your headaches are common and also include weakness, dizziness or loss of sensation, talk to your doctor about getting diagnosed. (credit:Colin Hawkins via Getty Images)
    Palpitations(08 of10)
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    Along with chest tightness, palpitations and irregular heartbeats are also common signs of anxiety. For some, palpitations can be common — you may feel a sensation of fluttering, throbbing, flip-flopping, or pounding in your heart, according to Harvard's Family Health Guide. (credit:Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)
    Panic Disorder (09 of10)
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    Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where people experience unexpected and repeated panic attacks from time to time, according to Anxiety BC. Masand says this psychological symptom can also include being worried, scared or irritable. (credit:Compassionate Eye Foundation/David Oxberry/OJO Images Ltd via Getty Images)
    Shaky (10 of10)
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    Besides blurred vision, if your sight is shaky and you have a hard time keeping your train of thought together, Masand says it may be a sign of anxiety. You may feel shakiness in your arms, legs, fingers, toes or your whole body at once. (credit:StefanieDegner via Getty Images)