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I feel like a different person

Posted By Andy010187

"I feel like a different person"

About: Inclusion Thurrock (Talking Therapies)

(as a service user),

I have been suffering with Anxiety since I had my first panic attack back in 2018. The first panic attack came out of nowhere with no indications so I ended up in A& E looking for answers as I strongly believed that was something very wrong with me such as having a heart attack. As I wasn't informed about anxiety / panic attacks, the more feelings I was having during the panic attack the more I was afraid, ending up in a wheelchair as I couldn't breathe nor move. This is how bad it got. After I went through all the crucial tests, the doctors suggested that this might be anxiety and panic attacks and not a physical illness. I was shocked when I heard that as I never thought about that especially since I always was a very positive person and only thought that anxiety is only for the negative thinkers. Anyway, after I found out about what is going on I spoke to my GP who referred me to Inclusion Thurrock for CBT. After my first session I started learning a lot more than what I did browsing the internet on my own and every other session since I was getting more informed and could actually see the progress I was making with my anxiety after each and every session. I am now at my 10th session and I can honestly say, hand on heart that I feel like a completely different person than when I first started. I cannot say that I am completely healed and will never have signs of anxiety / panic attacks as this is something that takes time to completely heal but I feel that I have all the tools and knowledge necessary to continue keeping this at bay. If I ever have any friends or relatives that would go through anything like this I would not hesitate to refer them to take advantage of this wonderful service that will help tremendously with any mental health issues. It felt amazing to know that I wasn't alone in this and I had this service to rely on helping fighting this terrible thing that is Anxiety and Panic Attacks.  

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Responses

Response from Paul Bagot, Operational Lead, Inclusion 4 years ago
Paul Bagot
Operational Lead,
Inclusion

Submitted on 21/11/2019 at 18:55
Published on Care Opinion at 18:55

Dear Andy010187

Thank you for sharing your story today.

Panic can be a dreadful and extremely debilitating experience. You describe how it was for you and the ongoing impacts which were extensive and extreme. Its very scary and people often lose contact with any hope for improvement.

However, as you describe, there is a way out from panic and lies with understanding of the root causes and techniques for identifying and controlling both triggers and symptoms.

I'm sure you have come to realise through therapy - just as you learned to react to panic, you can and do learn to recognise and NOT react in that way but a new, learned and healthier way.

I can see from your story that you are well along the path to applying this knowledge, so good for you!!

Keep at it.

From all of us here at Inclusion Thurrock can I say thank you and don't forget to congratulate yourself for having the courage to approach therapy in a positive way and regain control in your life.

Many thanks

Paul

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Andy010187 (a service user)

Thank you very much, I really appreciate the help that I received at Inclussion Thurrock and would really like to thank everyone there. A special thank you goes to AJ who was my therapist, I will carry his advice and teachings throughout the rest of my life.

Kind regards

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