Weekend Away

Hi All,

I went for a weekend away this weekend. I was quite looking forward to it because its only 20 miles away but takes awhile to get there and I wondered how Id get on with the journey.
On the way I did have a panic attack because it was really foggy and we were on the moors. I started thinking oh my god I need to go home, Im going to go crazy the usual irrational thoughts I experience. But I go so panicked I did hit the point where I thought right, this is as bad as its going to get and I couldnt get anymore worked up than I was.  When I got to the destination, I must admit I didnt feel better but I got on with having my time away like Id planned.
On the way home I was quite anxious about taking the same route but when I was nearly home I thought strangely that Id like to do it again. I didn't expect to think this, I thought Id be thoroughly fed up but instead I had the feeling that id like to push myself to acheive it again and then again.
I know that if you repeat something over and over again it does get alot easier - my job for example.

So, although I didnt have a panic free weekend.
I DID go away and I Will do it again.
It didn't put me off going away, its sort of reignited the fighter in me :)

Panic 0, Me 1.

find what scares you &

 

DO IT ANYWAY

PLEASE READ #mentaltogether

After reading a recent story about a young person who had committed suicide, I felt a real desire to make other sufferers of anxiety , agoraphobia, panic attacks, panic disorder etc aware that although life may be a lonely and frightening and a never ending shit storm of hell sometimes, we are strong together.

WHY?
We can be a force for change.

• 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year

• Mixed anxiety and depression is the most common mental disorder in Britain.

With these sort of numbers in the UK alone, it is inevitable that our voice is heard.

Having a mental health issue shouldn't be taboo, its an illness just like asthma.

With winter months approaching, a time that can be most challenging for sufferers, I thought it could be an idea to make a little bit of a stand.

By posting #mentaltogether we can show sufferers and non sufferers that mental health issues are common. They are nothing to be ashamed of and they can be spoken about - which may help those finding it particularly hard, as we all do sometimes.

Some of the best advice Ive ever had has naturally come from other sufferers and they've inspired me because if they can do things, why can't I.

I am not looking to change the NHS, I am looking to change people.

If you don't want to do this, that's absolutely fine.

I personally believe that being part of the human race, people have a duty to do whatever they can do for humanity. If this gets a few people tweeting, then great, if it could possibly change or save someone's life, wonderful.

Please re-post & tweet <3

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do. — Eleanor Roosevelt

Progress

HI All,

Well after deciding i was just going to do everything, ive actually done everything so far!

Went to a family function last week. Usually id be apprehensive of not being able to leave as I was on my own and not with anybody with a car, but I was fine. I thought to myself that if i needed to leave I could, at any time I wanted to. I even got in the car with two people Id never met before for a lift!! I would have never done this before!

I also did some walking yesterday to meet a friend. I never do this alone but I was fine. I thought that if I felt bad at all there were houses all around and someone would be able to help me. I then went out last night and didnt worry about it at all!

Ive noticed that people are being much more vocal about their own mental health issues. There was someone at the family function who suffers with anxiety and is really open about it. She even left to go to the hospital half way through after suffering an anxiety attack and came back. I thought how brave!! It just goes to show that perspective really matters.

Someone very close to me is also suffering from mental health issues and from observing how much people are helping her and how she is dealing with it, it really opened my eyes. There really is less stigma attached to it now and its made me much more comfortable accepting it.

If I have a panic attack, Ill go to the medical centre and I will be fine. Its fear and thats all it is :) It doesnt make me a freak



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