Shark attack survivor Leah Stewart has revealed just how much the ordeal has affected her mental health, but with a silver lining.
Stewart, 34, was left fighting for life after being mauled by a 4-metre great white as she swam at Sydney’s Coogee Beach in June.
WATCH THE ABOVE VIDEO: Shark survivor Leah Stewart returns to where it all happened
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow
The attack cost the school teacher her arm and, as she revealed in a major update on her recovery, has heavily clouded her mind in the months since.
“When I used to recall the event I would have an eight out of 10 fear response and it would feel like I was back in the water,” Stewart told her Instagram followers on November 5.
“Constantly, the shark attack was replaying in my head on a loop, 24 hours a day for months on end.
“I couldn’t sleep at night, I was having nightmares and I was waking up in sweats every single day.”
Young mum and teacher Leah Stewart said the ‘nightmares’ from her shark attack have stopped. Credit: AAP
It comes nearly two months after Stewart revealed a major setback in her recovery when her second skin graft operation was unsuccessful.
‘EMDR … has been life-changing for me’
Be the first to know: Add 7NEWS as your preferred news source on Google
Stewart shared how she had been undergoing Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), a therapy used to process traumatic memories.
“Basically my therapist has something that moves (side to side) and I follow it with my eyes as I recall the event,” she said.
Stewart said she can now think back on the attack and “it just feels like something that’s happened”.
“I can recall it but my body doesn’t feel it like I felt when I was in the water and it has been life-changing for me,” she said.
“I feel like I’m finally getting my life back and I can go and have a conversation with my friend, I can spend time with (daughter) August and be present playing with her and I don’t always have the image of a shark approaching me with its mouth open.”
Stewart had been swimming between the flags and was close to shore when she was attacked, with the shark biting her legs and arms.
She was dragged underwater and punched the shark before lifesaver Charlie Verco came to her rescue.
She was rushed to hospital and spent 10 days in a coma, with sand and debris also posing an extreme risk of infection.
In recent months Stewart has also revealed how tough it was to be able to return to the beach and dip her feet in since the attack.
“As I heal I’m starting to live without the fear that absolutely controlled me and come back to what I love with a deeper appreciation of the little and big things,” she said.
Summer arrives early for one state as severe heatwave begins
2 min read
Accused killer cop chokes up at double murder trial
2 min read
