Married at First Sight Australia 2023’s Alyssa Barmonde has revealed the truth behind her meltdown at the Commitment Ceremony.
The executive assistant confessed that she suffered a panic attack in the March 12 episode after her on-screen husband Duncan James said her expectations of him were “concerning”.
On Instagram, the 35-year-old admitted that she’s suffered from anxiety for over 20 years, and this led to her panic attack on the couch.
“I’m sharing this for everyone who can relate, for everyone who panics, who feels scared and sometimes very alone in their journey,” she began.
“Anxiety is something that’s part of me, but it’s not who I am,” she said, adding that living with anxiety for the past 20 years has been difficult.
The mother-of-one then discussed the stigma attached to anxiety, expressing that “it’s something that most people suffer from in silence, feeling misunderstood and vulnerable.”
She then revealed her coping mechanisms, sharing that she needs to be alone, “get into fresh air, slow down, and breathe.”
“Having a panic attack on the couch is something that happened to me a few times,” she continued. “But this time I wasn’t strong enough to manage it head-on. I took time. Stepped away. Calmed myself down. And returned to a hard conversation.”
She finished her brave Instagram post by saying: “I wish I felt better understood sometimes, or that I can explain how I feel a little better, but don’t we all? Sending all the love I can out there to anyone who is feeling vulnerable right now.”
What else happened between Alyssa and Duncan at the Commitment Ceremony?
During the emotional Commitment Ceremony, Alyssa expressed that the 36-year-old cyber security salesman wasn’t making her feel like a “priority” during the Couples Retreat.
“I didn’t feel like we were the couple we normally are because we didn’t spend much time together which doesn’t make me feel like I’m a priority… Every time I would try to bring up how I felt it was tit-for-tat,” she explained.
Intimacy expert Alessandra Rampolla then asked: “Do you feel Duncan is going to be second priority to your son?'”
The groom chimed in: “Of course not. I know her son will always be her first priority. It’s not a concern for me. I’m happy to manoeuvre my lifestyle around Alyssa’s lifestyle. I’ve been pretty open about that.”
Duncan explained that he thought Alyssa was upset with him because she was feeling vulnerable.
“I don’t think Alyssa got upset about [me not contacting her],” he said. “It’s a deep-seated issue around being vulnerable and a single mother. [Her expectations] are definitely a concern.”
This comment prompted Alyssa to break down in tears and storm out of the Commitment Ceremony.
Upon returning, she admitted that it was difficult for her to hear that her “expectations [were] too much.”
“I never dated as a single mum. I do need reassurance and I do need check-ins in order for them to feel like they aren’t just going to run away,” she explained.
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