Gemma Correll, a cartoonist and author, has opened up about her lifelong battle with anxiety and depression, and how alcohol became a destructive crutch. In an extract from her new book 'Anxietyland', she describes the moment in 2018 when her panic attacks spiralled out of control while living in Oakland, California.
Correll, who moved from the UK to the US in 2015, found herself trapped in what she calls the 'Downward Spiral' – a terrifying new ride in the theme park of her mind, which she dubs 'Anxietyland'. She had previously navigated other rides like the 'Emotional Rollercoaster' and the 'Depression Obstacle Course', but this was different: panic disorder, where she was panicking about panic itself.
Her struggles began at 14, and at 16 she discovered alcohol, which she describes as a 'magical elixir' that initially eased her fear but eventually became a 'very bad friend'. After an aborted attempt to study at Cambridge University due to severe anxiety, she found solace in art school in Ipswich, which rekindled her passion for illustration.
Correll acknowledges that giving up alcohol did not solve all her problems, but it was a crucial first step. Her book 'Anxietyland' (Penguin, £25) charts her journey from dependence to recovery, offering a candid look at the realities of living with anxiety disorders.
