Seven years ago, Aaron Labbé was unable to go outside without being stricken with intense anxiety. He said he could not escape from an overwhelming sense of despair at how badly people treated each other. His condition led to a “major nervous breakdown resulting in heart arrhythmia,” he said. Now, along with other things he needs to do to maintain peace of mind, he meditates.
Labbé was living in Buffalo at the time he sought medical help. He had a long list of diagnoses, like borderline personality disorder, bipolar 1 disorder, panic anxiety disorder and substance abuse. He was prescribed 15 different medications until one was found to be effective.