Mr. A’s Recovery Story

I?have an Anxiety Disorder and experience panic attacks 2-3 times a day, which recently worsened. I have also had social anxiety for the past 18 years. I have tried medication and various therapies including CBT before, but neither of these have really helped. I have a feeling like no one else has or experiences this. In my day to day life, I can?t wear certain clothes, such as clothes around my neck, because it feels like I?m being strangled. I can?t have hair cuts either and I need to keep something in my mouth constantly to manage my anxiety.

I wanted to access 1-1 support to see if something new might help reduce my anxiety and panic attacks. Long-term I want to get back to work.

At the time of referral I was having a lot of housing issues with a difficult lodger. This impacted my sleep, appetite, social life and general wellbeing to a large extent. I wished to feel better, manage my anxiety effectively, do more activities, gain more confidence and meet new people.

The 1-1 sessions helped me to identify the work which could be helpful in managing my situation moving forward. She has arranged group activities for me, like the pool group, walking group and the recovery education courses, focusing on relaxation and mindfulness which have been very helpful. This has helped me gain confidence around new people, which I otherwise would not have engaged in.

I was appropriately suggested to look at options for going back to education with an aim to eventually go back to work which is my long term goal. For the same, I was signposted to organisations which could support me to overcome any barriers that I could encounter.

I wish to thank Life Links for their support and suggestions to help me improve and manage my life. Ritu who has been my Key Worker has been very understanding and supportive throughout. ?I feel the work that they do is invaluable as they are helping people with issues that can otherwise be difficult to address and I feel the support that they offer is much needed and appreciated. Although our meetings have come to an end, I will do my best to engage with what I’ve learned and hope to continue with the activities suggested. All the best and long may your support continue and your organisation prosper.

It is nice to know that there is somewhere like Life Links for people like me to turn to, even just to talk with someone about your problems, as there isn?t really much else to turn to.