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Stories Submitted thoughts and stories Never Give Up
Stories Submitted thoughts and stories Never Give Up
Never Give Up |
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anxiety | employment (+) | panic attack | phobias | relaxation techniques | remarriage | single parent | support from family | support from mental health professionals | supportive spouse/partner | taking control | talking therapies
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Author: Shirley Fisher Published: 09 October 2006 Shirley Fisher decided to submit her recovery story after reading about Mental Health Awareness Week in her local paper. Shirley’s personal recovery story explores what helped her on her journey from experiencing frequent panic attacks to regaining a full and happy life. After reading an advert in the Motherwell Times about Mental Health Awareness Week inviting others to share their stories of recovery I decided to share mine. Three years ago I would never in my wildest dreams have imagined I would be living the happy carefree life I am now. I started suffering crippling panic attacks around three years ago, these 'episodes' became more and more frequent every time I left the safety of my home that eventually I stopped going out altogether. I was totally housebound for two years, never once stepping foot outside my own front door. With three children and no support from their alcoholic father this was a dark time for me. But I never gave up hope of returning to the confident bubbly person I once was. Every day I woke up thinking today I will try again. Eventually, to cut a very long story short, I managed to make it to the bottom of the tower block where I lived at the time. It was a harrowing experience for me, I nearly passed out with fear in the lift, but my son held my hand and encouraged me to keep going. Day after day I managed a few more steps and then a few more until I felt confident enough to make the trip to my doctor’s surgery. My dad took me, it was terrifying, having to wait in the waiting room was my worst nightmare and by the time I actually make it into the doctor’s room I was in a right state. But I was determined to get help. The doctor was great, I told her I didn’t want to take pills and she respected that, I was referred to the local day hospital for group counselling and relaxation therapy. That was the real beginning of my recovery. Every week I followed the relaxation techniques and before long I was making it to my local shop. Still couldn’t handle long queues though. I made sure that I went out every single day, even if only for five minutes. Then a small miracle happened and I was offered a job at my son’s primary school. An hour a day to start with, building up to full time. It couldn’t have happened better. My confidence built with the hours I worked. I was ecstatic. I was leading a normal life again. Then, just when I thought things couldn’t get any better I plucked up the courage to go on a wee night out with the girls from work and the first person I bumped into when I went into the pub was and ex boyfriend from 20 years before. We spent the night chatting, he asked me out on a date and we are now very very happily married. My sons are so happy and life is just amazing for me. I appreciate every minute of every day and am probably the only person you will see with a beaming smile on a wet windy day at the bus stop. I am just so happy to be there! Hope my story gives some hope to even one person who is inside their house looking out. If you’d like to share your thoughts or experiences of recovery then contact us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0141 240 7790 to discuss. Click here to go back to previous page |
Story Tags
activism community/socialising/inclusion coping strategies creativity depression employment (+) exercise female hospital male medication medication (-) peer support (informal) and befriending seeing things differently self knowledge/learning/growth self management sense of self support from family support from friends support from mental health professionals supportive spouse/partner taking control talking therapies voluntary mental health services volunteering Story disclaimer
The stories presented here are for information only. They are meant to inspire hope and show that recovery can and does happen. The stories highlight various examples of recovery and we do not advocate any of these experiences as the ‘right’ way to recover. Recovery is an individual and unique process, each person must decide for himself or herself what will work for them. Please carefully consider any decisions you make about your own recovery and consult with someone you trust if you feel unsure. See our Submit Your Thoughts pages for details on how to submit a story to us or you can contact us.
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