The following blog posts are written by people with personal experience of anxiety. By talking openly, our bloggers hope to increase understanding around mental health, break stereotypes and take the taboo out of something that – like physical health – affects us all.

One of the hardest things about anxiety and depression is the fear of judgement

May 21, 2013

CiaraAs someone who has lived with anxiety and depression on and off for many years, there is one thing that has always remained. It doesn’t cost a penny, it can’t be bought or sold, but it is one of the most valuable things to me.

A listening ear. It is that listening ear that has got me through some of the toughest times in my life. But this is a particular kind of listening ear. One that comes without judgement.

I was very nervous about going back to work

May 9, 2013

My mental health issues first started due to bullying in the workplace. My manager would pick up on the tiniest of errors and blow them out of proportion, stand over your shoulder as you wrote emails, correcting mistakes you hadn’t made yet and berate anyone that wasn’t in the office to their colleagues. It doesn’t sound like much but, after putting up with it for 8 months, I just couldn’t take it anymore. I had been crying on and off after work for about 6 months.

I couldn't be affected by mental health problems... could I?

May 8, 2013

LisaI was 20. I came from a loving family, gained the highest results throughout my education and was in the final year of my Speech and Language Therapy degree.

I knew about mental health issues; close relatives experienced anxiety and depression.

But I couldn't be affected by mental health problems...could I?

Telling my manager about my depression and anxiety

May 5, 2013

Late 2011

I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression but have told very few people about my diagnosis. I’m not sure why this is to be honest but I feel so low that I have decided to concentrate on getting better first before talking to people about my illness.

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