Coronation Street star samba Longchambon has opened up about her devastating panic attacks.
The actress plays Maria Connor in the soap and has revealed how her anxiety attacks are so bad she thinks she is about to die.
She told the Mirror: “You feel like you are going to die, you can’t breathe. You feel like you are going to faint or die.”
The 35-year-old actress has suffered from anxiety since she was a child.
Samia recalled telling her mother she couldn’t breathe properly because of it.
Read more: Holly Willoughby reveals fears over Corrie cameo
She believes it could have been triggered by her parents’ divorce, but has only recently sought help from her doctor again after having to spend 25 years facing it alone.
She added: “I didn’t have any therapy or counselling, but now I have found ways of dealing with it.”
Samia revealed she needs constant reassurance from her husband, Sylvain Longchambon, to get through the terrifying attacks.
The couple met in 2013 when they were partnered together for Dancing on Ice.
They married in 2016 and share a two-year-old son Yves, and Samia’s eight-year-old daughter Freya from her first marriage.
She added: “He is also brilliant at knowing what to do to help. If I am having a panic attack he will hold me really tight and reassure me in a calm voice that everything is going to be OK.”
Don’t miss out: Three steps to ensure you see all ED!’s latest news on Facebook
The actress also told how she went to her GP for help just six months ago after years of torment.
She now alleviates the attacks with coping strategies as well as regular exercise and yoga.
And she revealed she hopes that by speaking out about her anxiety that others will feel safe enough to seek help.
What do you think of Samia’s brave admission? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!