The Barossa Mag Autumn 2019 | Page 29

T H E B AROS S A MAG | 29 >> Jaron Dswonitzky “That helped a lot!” Jaron says. “It was a good feeling,” Jaron smiles. The combination of medication, hypnotherapy and breathing exercises began to make a difference, and Jaron’s appointments were reduced to once a fortnight. Jaron believes it was a combination of the hypnotherapy, medication and breathing exercises that ultimately helped him gain control over his anxiety and depression. Jaron began photographing lightening to keep his mind busy and later developed a second passion of barbecuing meat with smokers and coals. These interests helped Jaron incredibly during his struggle at home, and have left him with talents he still enjoys today. As time went on, Jaron’s appointments reduced, eventually to once every six months. With the arrival of another dog, Lola, Jaron began walking again, at first at night then eventually around the block during the day. “A panic attack is just your heart racing with panic,” Jaron says. “Once I understood that I was able to say right, now I can fix this,” Jaron says. Later sessions with Doctor Kunze involved Jaron being asked about his time between sessions. “Towards the end it was like visiting a friend,” Jaron says. It was just what he needed. “Don’t ever be scared to talk, or feel like it’s a quick fix,” Jaron advises. “You need to dedicate yourself to recovery. And at least try to be confident,” he chuckles. “It’s not like I go to the mirror and tell myself, you’re one sexy lad. If you push harder that beard is going to grow quicker. Just have confidence.” In 2014, after not suffering a panic attack for almost 5 years, Jaron began helping a mate with fencing and landscaping. This same mate later asked Jaron to try out for job at Apex Bakery. Jaron applied and in 2015 became employed fulltime at Apex Bakery, his first job at 32 years of age. Jaron’s last visit to Doctor Godfrey Kunze was in 2015. Two weeks before his final session, Jaron was told to let his medication run out. In January 2016 Jaron was off his medication and had not had a panic attack for 6 years. In conjunction with currently nearing the completion of an apprenticeship and recently being appointed the role of bakery manager at the Apex Bakery, Jaron has also attained a driver’s licence and best of all, a girlfriend. “She’s the best thing that’s happened to me,” he admits. With the previous chapter behind him, Jaron endeavours to open a unique barbecue restaurant that will be like no other dining experienced around. “No gas, just wood fire and smoke pits,” Jaron says. “With 36 hour slow cooked briskets, low and slow smoked ribs and dry aged smoked ribeye, just to name a few.” Jaron is incredibly grateful for his life today; emerging from his struggle, a cheerful, quick witted gentleman, giving hope to the long list of people suffering with similar illnesses.