Table of Contents
- 1. Herman Brusselmans: A Life Navigating Anxiety and Reality
- 2. What coping mechanisms did Herman Brusselmans utilize to manage his anxiety before seeking healthier alternatives?
- 3. Herman Brusselmans: Navigating Anxiety and Life in the Spotlight
- 4. Exploring the Inner Turmoil
- 5. From Coping to Healing
- 6. Balancing Family Life and Literary Career
- 7. Thoughts on stigma and Awareness
Herman Brusselmans, a prominent figure in Belgian literature, has always been candid about his struggles with anxiety. In his latest work, ”Sergio over the border,” he delves deeper into this personal battle, revealing the intense ways in which it shapes his everyday life.
“I then wake up screaming,”
he revealed, giving a glimpse into the torment he faces nightly.
Brusselmans candidly discusses how he turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism, a journey he painfully acknowledges as self-destructive. “I drank to forget, but fortunately, I stopped,”
he stated, highlighting the strength it took to seek a healthier path.
Beyond his personal struggles, Brusselmans also offers a candid look into his family life. When asked about the possibility of having another child, he shared, ‘We sometimes talk about a second child, but 99 percent certainly will not happen.’ This honesty underscores Brusselmans’ willingness to share the raw realities of his existence, both the challenges and the triumphs.
What coping mechanisms did Herman Brusselmans utilize to manage his anxiety before seeking healthier alternatives?
Exploring the Inner Turmoil
Archyde: In your latest work, “Sergio over the border,” you delve deeply into your personal battle with anxiety. How has writing about this struggle helped you process and understand your own experiences?
Herman Brusselmans: Writing about my anxiety has been a form of therapy, allowing me to explore my thoughts and feelings in a way that’s otherwise arduous. Putting it down on paper makes it tangible, and that helps me process and understand what I’m going through.
From Coping to Healing
Archyde: You’ve been open about turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism in the past. Can you describe the journey towards accepting your anxiety and finding healthier ways to manage it?
Brusselmans: it was a painful process, admittedly.I drank to forget, but fortunately, I reached a point where I realized that wasn’t the solution. It took strength to acknowledge my problem and seek help, but once I did, I found healthier ways to cope.
Balancing Family Life and Literary Career
Archyde: you also share insights into your family life in your work. How do you balance your literary career, which often requires intense introspection, with your role as a family man?
Brusselmans: It’s a delicate balance, and it’s not always easy. But I believe that being open with my loved ones about my struggles helps them understand and support me. In turn, my family provides a safe haven where I can recharge and find comfort.
Thoughts on stigma and Awareness
Archyde: As a prominent figure in Belgian literature, you’ve chosen to use your platform to raise awareness about mental health. How do you think this can help challenge the stigma surrounding mental illnesses?
Brusselmans: By shares my experiences, I hope to show others that they’re not alone in their struggles. It’s essential to talk about mental health openly, without fear or judgment. The more we do, the more we can chip away at the stigma and encourage others to seek help when they need it.
