"MHSOP - IRIS"

My problems of anxiety and stress symptoms plus lack of confidence began when I moved from the town I had lived in all my life. I was homesick and very unhappy in my new surroundings. I moved a considerable distance to be near family after my partner passed away. I felt so ill all the time with everything going round and round in my mind making it so I couldn’t relax or focus on one thing at a time. In fact making it very difficult to function at all. When I was referred to the Iris team it was the best thing that could have happened. I was getting a daily regular visit from one of their team. They were very friendly, understanding and patient people whom you got to know well and felt comfortable with over the time. It gave me the opportunity to unburden myself of all the thoughts that were in my mind, This gave me a chance to move on from those thoughts on a daily basis and I found it a relief. I was given goals to achieve which gave me a purpose and was shown various techniques by the physiotherapist in how to deal with anxiety symptoms. Also comments from individuals made me realise that there wasn’t only me suffering in this way, this information was reassuring. When you are feeling very low you tend to think there’s only you having such horrible symptoms.

I have found the support from this team invaluable. Giving me a more positive outlook. I’ve still a long way to go but I’ve now got the right tools to help me.