Heartbreak has been intense, prompting many to send overwhelming support for Peggy Srithanya. Though she appears cheerful and lively outwardly, behind closed doors her heart is extremely fragile. She recently opened up on the "Toh Noo Mam" show on Workpoint channel with the renowned host Noo Mam Surivipa, revealing she now relies on a psychologist to help heal her mind.
Importantly, her old condition, panic disorder, has flared up again. She fears using bathrooms and cramped spaces, unable to take elevators. She has Charlotte Austin, a Miss Grand Thailand beauty queen, as an advisor, and she also observed the lifestyle of Nai Napat, who she discovered also suffers from panic disorder.
Outwardly strong, but inside, is she deeply broken?
"I’m a woman whose personality is not pitiable; I’m the kind of woman who’s annoyingly competent. Because I’m so capable, people don’t feel sorry for me."
What did the therapist tell you?
"The therapist said I could cry it out, scream out anything that I’m not okay with, cry as much as I need to, maybe two or three times. In the end, I cried with the psychologist about how tired I was, that in the end, I’m alone. I cried a lot, very deeply, about three times, and then finally felt relief."
The doctor said they would implant new neural pathways, a new way of thinking—like installing a new chip—telling me to repeat before sleep: 'The decisions I made are okay, I did my best, I did nothing wrong, I acted properly, I’m a worker, I’m not at fault.' Every time I wake startled, I tell myself I’m already very good, excellent, and that I will get through this with wisdom. For now, don’t think about anything, just sleep well, brave one. Tomorrow we fight again. I say this every day."
Does this help, given you have panic disorder?
"Yes, I have panic disorder. It’s a different symptom, and it started about 8 to 9 years ago, maybe even earlier because back then I didn’t have a boyfriend. Over ten years ago, I was singing at a resort, took a shower, and couldn’t open the door in a small room. I kicked the door until it bled, trapped there until noon or 1 p.m. The housekeeper came wondering why I hadn’t checked out. I was scared, screaming all night, and then developed a fear of confined spaces. I avoid cramped places now. I don’t enter elevators. When filming at Grammy’s 11th floor, I always had the driver circle around because everyone knew I wouldn’t take the Grammy elevator."
Did this symptom return during your emotional turmoil?
"After breaking up with my ex, the symptom accumulated, worsening entering the second year. It became severe—just tying my hair tightly made me short of breath. It felt like falling from a skyscraper, a million floors down. People with panic disorder are pitiful—they feel certain they will die. Even breathing feels suffocating."
"I became afraid of everything—tight clothes, hairbands, cramped spaces. Now, at home, there’s no bathroom door because I’m scared, anxious, and fearful of confined spaces. At restaurants, I never lock the bathroom door and always have a friend accompany me, telling them not to lock the door."
How much have your symptoms improved now?
"Recently, I talked with my psychologist who said I’m better because I don’t have to take medication. Actually, I should, but I’m afraid because with panic disorder, medication slows you down. I’m scared of slowing down because I use my brain a lot at work—I answer questions immediately. I fear medication will slow me down, so I choose natural therapy: ice baths, exercise, meditation, and chanting. That’s why you see me working out."
"Nai Napat just recently was diagnosed too, so he exercises heavily. I just heard his story. People with this understand each other. I also recently spoke with Charlotte Austin, Miss Grand, asking for advice. She’s a senior panic sufferer; she takes medication but fears loud noises. When people make loud, chaotic sounds, it triggers her panic. But she has coping methods—if she sees children at an event, she talks to them immediately, which helps her calm down."
Do those around you know and help with your panic disorder?
"Everyone knows. I want to say if you have someone around with this, please be kind and compassionate. It’s a condition truly beyond their control. For those with panic disorder, I recommend exercise, chanting, meditation. When commuting to work, I listen to healing music, block out everything else, and listen to therapy music."
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