Claire-Louise Vickery

clairelouisevickery1@gmail.com Website

Project 1: Panic

'Panic’ tells the story of the emotional and physical suffering that accompanies panic attacks and anxiety.

Anxiety is a natural part of life. It is a warning bell that lets us know when something needs our attention. But when anxiety becomes a frequent and difficult part of our lives, we can feel out of control, afraid and alone. Panic attacks are a common characteristic of an anxiety disorder, and they can cause severe stress to the body and mind.

With Ireland ranking among the highest in Europe for mental health illnesses, how can emotions that are often too difficult for words be understood visually? Might there be a way to identify with an emotion through illustration alone? Symptoms of panic attacks are often described in factual, straight-forward language, but a panic attack feels like a highly emotional and distressing event that can be difficult to describe to others. Using the form of a silent book, some light can be shed on the difficulties in not only understanding our feelings but in verbally expressing our emotions too.

This book visualises the often indescribable internal world we enter during a panic attack. It is a place where emotions and physical sensations are exaggerated. You, as a reader, will be placed in a position of recognition and understanding.