"Help, dedication and guidance for Anxiety"

In March 2021 I left work in a very distressed state having eventually succumbed to years of bullying and harassment by my boss. I spent 3 weeks crying and basically not being able to function and was advised by my family to speak to someone. I was not sure as to what I should do to help myself but I eventually phoned my GP - I explained my situation (not really realising how unwell I was).

I asked my doctor if she thought that antidepressants would help me. She said that she thought that my 'Acute Anxiety' was situational and thought that as I had removed myself from the situation that I could recover without antidepressants - looking back now, I am sure that had I taken them, the problem would simply have been masked and not solved. The GP referred me to the Mental Health Practitioner, who after a long conversation recommended that I complete the 'Condition Management Programme'. When I look back now after 6+ months, I realise how low I had been and how isolated I felt even though I was surrounded by an amazing family and friends.

From my initial appointment with Lucia, even though I was extremely anxious, I sensed that I was going to benefit greatly from this programme and indeed from having Lucia as my Keyworker. Lucia is a true advocate for someone in her profession, Lucia is friendly but professional, dedicated to her job and works daily with understanding and empathy. Lucia initially assessed me to gain a full picture of where I was and what support I needed. Her understanding of me as a person and of my capabilities even in the early days of the Programme, even though I felt 'broken' at the time, encouraged me to work diligently at the Programme  and to gradually restore peace of mind.

I feel that the programme is very well paced and structured in a way that was suited to my needs at the time. I benefitted greatly from the various topics covered including dealing with anxiety, communicating with confidence and assertiveness - delivered in group sessions and one to one sessions. I gained knowledge and techniques from each session and regularly refer to my notes when I feel that I need a boost.

Early on in the Programme I was introduced to my Occupational Therapist, Loretta. Again, from day 1, I felt a rapport with Loretta who also carried out an assessment on me to see what she could do to help me. Loretta has also provided me with exceptional tools and strategies to help me cope when I become anxious or when life proves difficult. She quickly recognised what I had been through and encouraged me to accept that it was ok to feel the way I was feeling. Throughout my sessions with both Lucia and Loretta they recognised the work I was doing to help myself and they both encouraged and inspired me.

I count myself lucky having had Lucia as my keyworker and Loretta as my Occupational Therapist. Their professionalism and dedication to their jobs is outstanding. They both understood when I needed to talk, vent or cry and gave me the time needed, never rushing me or making me feel that they had somewhere else to be or someone else to talk to. It was obvious from my sessions with both Lucia and Loretta that they work closely together - on particularly bad days, Lucia spent extra time with me, showing great empathy, reassuring me of my progress, this would then be followed up by a call in the next few days from Loretta to check up on me.

I cannot recommend the Condition Management Programme highly enough, it has given me the necessary tools to cope with challenging situations and to understand that it is ok to have bad days. All members of staff whom I dealt with were extremely professional and caring including Sinéad the secretary who stepped in on several occasions to help me. Thank you Lucia and Loretta for all of your hard work over the past few months, for your help, guidance and dedication.