She documented her battle with anxiety on social media last week.
And Samia Longchambon, 35, revealed the moment she thought she was going to die during her crippling panic attacks when talking about her anxiety for the first time since she started suffering at the tender age of 11.
The Corrie star, who plays Maria Connor, laid bare the terrifying details of being unable to breathe in an interview with The Mirror.
‘I thought I was going to die’: Samia Longchambon reveals terrifying panic attacks left her unable to breathe as she documented her 25-year battle with anxiety (pictured January 2017)
She explained to the publication: ‘You feel like you are going to die, you can’t breathe. You feel like you are going to faint or die. You are absolutely shattered afterwards. I wouldn’t wish them on anyone, they are horrible.
‘Sometimes I wake up and my heart will be racing for some reason. I won’t know why, but I won’t be able to get my breath.’
Having battle with anxiety for almost 25 years, Samia noted her parents’ divorce in her childhood could have triggered her suffering.
Shock: The Corrie star, best known as Maria Connor, revealed the moment she thought she was going to die during her crippling panic attacks
Explained: She explained to the publication: ‘You feel like you are going to die, you can’t breathe. You feel like you are going to faint or die’
The actress credited her husband Sylvain, 37, for his hands-on support and calm nature during her long battle with anxiety.
As well as knowing what to do when she is suffering from a panic attack, Sylvain thoughtfully gifted the star the book How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.
She further divulged: ‘Sylvain 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.’
‘He is brilliant’: The actress credited her husband Sylvain, 37, for his hands-on support and calm nature during her long battle with anxiety
Love is reassurance: As well as knowing what to do when she is suffering from a panic attack, Sylvain thoughtfully gifted the star the book How to Stop Worrying and Start Living
Samia is the mother of two children, sharing daughter Freya with her first husband Matthew Smith and her son Yves with Sylvain.
The Corrie star revealed the news in support of Mental Health Awareness week, in a bid to help other people who might feel as though they are in the same boat.
Sharing an illustration of a picture of the back of a girl’s head, with the words: ‘Anxiety isn’t something that goes away, it’s something you learn to control.’
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org for details.
Mummy duties! Samia is the mother of two children, sharing daughter Freya with her first husband Matthew Smith and her son Yves with Sylvain (pictured in March 2017)