"Q&A with Trish Barillas"

February 6, 2018

Book: A Face of Anxiety

Photo Courtesy of Trish Barillas

Author: Trish Barillas

Author Bio:

"I am a born and raised New Yorker I grew up in Locust Valley, Long Island currently living in Chelsea, Manhattan. My parents are both Guatemalan coming to this country with nothing but the hope of creating better lives for their families. I am a first-generation along with my sister who lives in New Zealand with her beautiful family.

I graduated from Hofstra University with a B.A in Psychology and went on to volunteer for 2 years in the South Bronx at Saint Dominic’s as a Play Therapist. I also worked with mental health workers in Dobbs Ferry at St. Christopher’s, investigating foster care homes. I received my Life Coaching Master’s Certification at New York University in 2006. I have been a Life Coach for over a decade.

I am a survivor of Acute Anxiety / Panic Disorder, as the author of Instabook @afaceofanxiety which is an autobiography of living life with anxiety disorder; how I was able to accept and be able to live a very fulfilled and positive life. My passion project Instabook will be available for purchase in July 2017 on Amazon in hard copy as well as a kindle version.

Founder of 3GS: Gifts and Goals for Guatemala a not for profit Charity helping children in rural areas of Guatemala." (Source: https://www.barillascoaching.com)

1. What was your inspiration/motivation to share this piece of literature?

As a long time sufferer of anxiety disorder, I wanted to write this book/memoir to help others feel less alone and ashamed.

No one talked about mental illness when I was growing up so I wanted to give people something real and relatable to readers.

2. Do you have further plans to ‘face’ anxiety in your life and others’?

I face anxiety on a daily basis, whether it's being an entrepreneur living with the ups and downs, traveling or just in life transitions. All of these are my triggers which means I have to manage the anxiety constantly.

3. What are three crucial tips you have for settling a panic attack?

Keep your mind focused on the facts of what is happening at that moment. Tell yourself that this is your body's way of self-protecting and will pass. Remind yourself that feelings are not facts.

Anxiety will hijack the brain to misfire information, therefore, reminding yourself that you can control your thoughts can help reframe the narrative.

4. What are some activities you do to calm anxiety?

Have a plan for what soothes you and a mindset you can enforce. Listen to a certain meditation when you're in the midst of panic, use a natural remedy you can take or do a breathing exercise to reduce your heart rate.

5. As a friend, what are some tools we can do to help other close acquaintances lower their anxiety levels when they are experiencing attacks?

The best advice is to ask what could best support them when they are experiencing bouts of anxiety. The key is to ask when they are in a non-anxious state so they can answer without having the pressure of trying to remain calm. Having the conversation beforehand is beneficial because everyone has different needs and responds to different soothing methods.

6. What is the best book you have read in the last year?

Rising Strong by Brene Brown.

7. Do you plan to write more books in the future?

Yes, I think I definitely have another book in me. I would like to publish something that speaks directly to positive anxiety methods.

8. What is your best advice for getting through writer's block?

Get out in nature, put your feet in the grass and just be present.

9. What is your writing process like/ What is your favorite part of your writing process?

I never had a dream of becoming a writer it just kinda unfolded for me naturally. What started as Instagram posts then manifested its way to a book.

My favorite part is the rawness, I just threw my life on pages and I thought man I really suffered back then and I was able to see how far I had come.

10. What is the best advice you have received on happiness?

My father always said “If it doesn’t make you happy don’t do it” I’ve stuck to this motto my whole life. I choose my life and I choose how to respond to it even if we’re given things we didn’t ask for.

11. How do you personally get out of negative thought patterns?

I start practicing gratitude, I write down all the things and people I’m grateful for in my life. I also call my friends for some tough love to remind me that I can do anything I set my mind to.

Having a supportive tribe is necessary for all of life’s trials and tribulations.