Josh Swickard—known for starring in #1 Netflix films and for his role on General Hospital—is opening up about anxiety attacks that caught him completely off guard and the tools that helped him reclaim a sense of control. In a candid conversation on State of Mind, Swickard shared how learning to understand his symptoms helped remove the fear that once fueled them.
Key Takeaways
- Josh Swickard reveals how breathwork helped him understand and reduce panic attacks.
- The General Hospital star opens up about faith, fatherhood, and using pain with purpose.
- Maurice Benard shares a powerful story from his mental health journey.
- The episode balances raw emotion with humor and behind-the-scenes soap moments.
The discussion moves far beyond anxiety, touching on anger, emotional regulation, parenting, faith, and the idea that pain can serve a greater purpose. At the heart of the conversation is a powerful message: suffering doesn’t have to define you—it can be used to help others move forward.
Panic Mode
Swickard explained that breathwork became a turning point during the COVID pandemic. After discovering the Wim Hof breathing technique—“quick breaths followed by a breath hold”—he began using it to better understand how his body responds to stress.
The sensations it triggered were familiar. Swickard revealed that his face would freeze, a feeling that mirrored the start of his panic attacks. But this time, the experience was different. Because he was practicing in a controlled, safe environment, the fear no longer took over. Over time, he says, the frequency of his panic attacks significantly decreased, giving him a sense of control he hadn’t had before.
Faith Based
The conversation then turned deeply personal as Swickard spoke about faith and fatherhood.
“I want my kids to know they are loved. I want them to be happy, whole people, before the first love, the marriage. I want them to love Jesus. He has been an integral part of my life.”
Maurice Benard shared his own powerful experience, recalling a moment during a mental health crisis when he was hospitalized and restrained.
“When I was in the mental hospital, tied to a bed, I made a cross from breaking a latch and putting it beside my bed. Even then, as horrible as it was, I knew there was a reason why He was making me go through this.”
Benard reflected further, saying,
“I think He wants me to suffer, so that others don’t have to.”
Swickard related to that struggle, admitting how difficult it can be to discern what comes from God versus the outside world.
“My prayer is ‘God, help me use this pain and not waste this pain. Help me use the suffering.’”
Benard encouraged listeners to keep moving forward, reminding them that the pain of the present moment will pass.
Soap Stare
The episode also found room for laughter, as the actors joked about breaking character on set. Swickard admitted it’s become increasingly difficult to work opposite Dominic Zamprogna, who can’t keep a straight face when Swickard delivers what he jokingly calls his signature expression.
“It’s my concerned face. It’s my god acting face, is what it is!”
Swickard noted the challenge of staying professional under pressure.
“You don’t want to be disrespectful. Time is money and you are on a short leash. You want to do right by the producers, Frank, the writers… but at the same time, when the silly gets in the air…”
Benard summed it up perfectly:
“It’s like laughing in church!”
Fans can check out the episode now, with part two arriving Sunday, February 8, featuring a special appearance by Swickard’s grandfather, Arthur.
