Sofia Richie has candidly revealed that she thought she was having a ‘heart attack’ when she began suffering with anxiety around two years ago.
The model, 21, admitted that she spent a long time thinking she was ill and suffered many attacks, which she believed meant something was wrong with her body.
It wasn’t until she confided in her boyfriend Scott Disick, 36, that she began to understand that she had been suffering anxiety attacks over her health.
Struggles: Sofia Richie has candidly revealed that she thought she was having a ‘heart attack’ when she began suffering with anxiety around two years ago
Sofia opened up about suffering from anxiety during a live chat with her pal Vas J Morgan on his Instagram page, @iamenoughuk, which aims to open up conversation about mental health following his own struggles.
Discussing when she first started having attacks, Sofia said: ‘I got anxiety late in my life, like two, three years ago and I watched my brother go through it and I never really understood it.
‘But it hit me hard, I remember the day of my first panic attack. My anxiety stems from wanting to know if I’m okay, am I sick. I want to know if I’m well.
Support: It wasn’t until she confided in her boyfriend Scott Disick, 36, that she began to understand that she had been suffering anxiety attacks over her health
Detailing her first attack, she said: ‘My first attack happened when I was in the middle of nowhere and my thoughts were like, “if something happens to me I’m nowhere near a hospital”.
I was like “holy s**t no one can help me” I thought I was having a heart attack, I had no idea what it was. I didn’t understand what it was because there was no one around me like “no, you’re having an anxiety attack”.
Sofia revealed that it wasn’t until she spoke to Scott that she understood she wasn’t unwell, she was suffering from bouts of panic attacks.
Open: Sofia opened up about suffering from anxiety during a live chat with her pal Vas J Morgan on his Instagram page, @iamenouhuk, which aims to open up conversation about mental health following his own struggles
She said: ‘I got home and spoke to my boyfriend and he was like, “no that’s anxiety”.
‘And I understood it but I had so many anxiety attacks after that first one before I was told what it was. I was constantly thinking I was sick and having a reoccurring heart attack but it’s not killing me.
‘But I can gladly say I cope and know how to help myself, I have my tools to help like meditation.’
Sofia set tongues wagging when she began dating Scott in 2017 following his split from his ex-girlfriend Kourtney Kardashian.
Time to talk: Discussing when she first started having attacks, Sofia said: ‘I got anxiety late in my life, like two, three years ago and I watched my brother go through it and I never really understood it
During their chat, Vas touched on his own struggle and said that he and Sofia have an ’emotionally honest’ relationship where they can confide in each other.
He said: ‘I have been sober for two years and that has given me a lot of clarity.’
The duo then touched on how they keep their minds busy while in isolation, as a way of combating any negative thoughts that may begin creeping in.
Sofia said: ‘I get stuck in my thoughts when I’m home alone. I’ve been planning and keeping myself busy.
She said: ‘But it hit me hard, I remember the day of my first panic attack. My anxiety stems from wanting to know if I’m okay, am I sick. I want to know if I’m well
‘Before I go to bed I’ll plan my whole next day, I’ll write down waking up, showering, making breakfast and then starting a book or puzzle. l’ll schedule in two calls for meetings.
‘Knowing your triggers is important, I’ve taught myself this week I know when to stop watching the news and get off my phone. I need to just take myself away.
Offering further tips, she said: ‘I’m reading a lot which I don’t usually do. Talking to my family every day, FaceTiming and talking to you every day. I’m keeping myself busy.’
Sofia also mentioned that she has been struggling with her thoughts at nighttime before she goes to sleep due to the quiet.
She said: ‘My anxiety has been bad at night, when I have a moment to chill my mind starts going. I feel tight in my chest or my hearts racing and my palms are sweating, but I talk myself through it and tell myself ‘you do this every night’.
The reality star also mentioned her triggers, and said: ‘This right now is a trigger, leaving my house, letting someone into my house. I had to get my blood work done, I got it done in the garden.’
Vas quipped: ‘Sofia disinfects her house all day every day, is disinfects her car even when she’s not going anywhere.
She added: ‘I think it’s important to sanitise, even if I’m the only person touching my remote.’
Cute! Sofia has kept busy an entertained during isolation by goofing around with her beau