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Rebecca Gibney On Dealing With Anxiety

“I had a kind of nervous breakdown when I was 32” - by marie claire
  • 07 Jul 2017
Rebecca Gibney On Dealing With Anxiety
Getty

Rebecca Gibney has revealed how she overcame a traumatic childhood to become Australian television royalty.

In a candid interview with the founding editor of marie claire and now General Manager, Jackie Frank, Gibney spoke about growing up with a violent alcoholic father.

“I remember Mum driving us around the block and us sleeping in the car until Dad calmed down,” she says. “Alcoholism is a disease and he was unable to control it.”

Now aged 52, Gibney says she only dealt with her childhood anxiety as an adult. “I had a kind of nervous breakdown when I was 32,” she says. “I was in the darkest pit and I thought, ‘I’m never going to get out of this. I don’t know how to get out.’”

She did get out of the dark pit – and came to forgive her father – with therapy. “I had an incredible psychologist. We talked a lot about my father. She helped me recognise that he was flawed, as we all are. It’s only when you become a parent that you realise we’re all just muddling our way through,” she explains.

rebeccagibney_ View Profile
2,016 likes - View Post on Instagram
Very proud to be the new patron for @sharethedignityaustralia . Share the Dignity, is an Australian charity supporting homeless women and domestic violence victims around Australia. As I'm sure you know there's quite a strong link between the two. Around 55% of women accessing homelessness services are fleeing violence. There is also the horror that one woman every week dies as a result of domestic violence. Please support this amazing cause. Repost @sharethedignityaustralia with @repostapp ・・・ We are so excited to announce that @rebeccagibney_ one of Australia's most beloved and respected actresses is now Sharing the Dignity as our Patron. Share the dignity is here to ensure that everyone is afforded the Dignity in life that so many of us take for granted. Our collection drives in April and August help us to ensure women are not going without the basic of necessities like pads and tampons and has a real impact on women in need. Our Itsinthebag Christmas appeal, where we ask everyday women to fill a preloved handbag with sanitary items, Shampoo, Conditioner, toothbrush, Toothpaste, Hairbrush, Soap, Deodorant whatever else you decide to put in the bag is only determined by your bag size, imagination and budget. These bags are given to women at Christmas time when they would otherwise not receive a gift at all and the dignity and joy they bring to women continues to bring tears to our eyes when we hear about the impact. Rebecca we are thrilled that you unite with us as we help women in need. www.sharethedignity.com.au #rebeccagibney #sharethedignity #thehomelessperiod #itsinthebag pic courtesy of @brewbevanphoto 🙏🏻

Looking back, Gibney says she feels sorry for her 14-year-old self. “I didn’t understand what anxiety was [then]. I would find myself in situations where I’d get panicky and have to run away. Any emotional stuff we’re not dealing with manifests itself in sickness, panic attacks or breakdowns.”

By dealing with her emotional stuff, Gibney says life is so much better: “You can move forward.”

Read the full interview between Rebecca Gibney and Jackie Frank in the August issue of marie claire, on sale now, and watch the video interview above.

marie claire August 2017

If you or someone you know needs help you can call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyondblue on 1300 224 636.

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