"Anxiety and panic attacks"

With many changes at work, and uncertainty in my job, I became very stressed and anxious. My manager did not understand the feelings I was having, some potentially because of perimenopause. I was having trouble sleeping, communicating effectively and once had to leave a meeting due to a full blown panic attack. My home-life was also starting to become affected and there were strains on my relationships with both my husband and children.

I asked for help from my doctor. He initially prescribed antidepressants. But I didn’t believe that medication was the answer. I was offered a consultation to be considered for the Conditional Management Programme. I was sceptical at first, as I thought it would mean travelling to see someone, maybe even making my already busy life more stressful.

After being accepted through an initial telephone consultation I then spoke with a carer, Kathy, for 5 weeks. It was a great help, I finally felt heard and that I was not going through this alone. I was given documentation to aid with techniques and an overall understanding of how to manage myself in certain situations.

It has been a great help and I now feel that I am getting back on track. There will always be times when I will face uncertainty. However. I now feel better equipped to deal with it should it arise.

The programme is amazing, and offers great help quickly and in a targeted manner. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.