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.

Depression after bereavement: how my friends helped me

April 22, 2013

Please note, some readers may find this blog post triggering. If you'd like to talk to someone about the issues raised here, please go to our 'finding support' page to find support phonelines and email.

Let’s be honest; life can suck. As children we’re told or consoled by exasperated adults that ‘life isn’t fair’ and expected to just get on with it.

The GP told me I had stress, anxiety and depression

April 19, 2013

AngelaI was at work when it happened, I broke down. My colleague took me to the company nurse and she contacted my GP and my mum.

My mum came to pick me up and she looked so worried but I couldn't tell her what was wrong. I just did not know. We arrived at my GP and he saw me right away. I explained what happened and in those few moments everything changed."

I had episodes of anxiety but my family and friends supported me

April 16, 2013

Image of dog paw"She’s good-looking, has a privileged lifestyle, a high-flying job (if she’s still got it) and a hairdresser in Knightsbridge. Why doesn’t she just pull herself together!”

These words were written in a letter to my mum by one of our friends during my most recent period of acute anxiety.

And worst of all, at the time, I believed it; why couldn’t I just “pull myself together!?”

Anxiety and excessive sweating: I was too ashamed to tell anyone

April 15, 2013

Photo of a sunriseI guess I can say that I’ve always had anxiety. From an early age I worried about everything. I hated being late to events and would sometimes get ready hours in advance in anticipation. My anxiety wasn't really a problem to begin with - just a part of me until I reached puberty.

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