Amanda

My mental health began to deteriorate around 2010, I had always been quite anxious, as a student and when I began work, I remember having panic attacks and being very socially awkward, however mental health awareness wasn’t great at the time, and I really just got on with it and thought it was “just how I was”. After having both my children, my anxiety really began to become out of control. I got to the point where I couldn’t really do anything without being consumed by anxiety and intrusive thoughts. This massively affected family life and my marriage, my husband tried to understand but he simply couldn’t and when I saw counsellors, I would downplay how bad things were and so nothing really improved. After around 5 years, my husband of 18 years could no longer cope, or live with my metal health issues and behaviour and left me. The following years saw my mental health hit rock bottom and me spiral into alcohol addiction as a means to cope with life.

In 2021, I came to bank house for help with alcohol. The treatment I received for my addiction and my mental health changed my life. I have been sober for 4 and a half years and during this time I have been able to accept and own my mental health.

Being substance free was a huge part of the process as well as addressing my medication and finally reaping the benefits from it. I discovered some fantastic self-help books and joined online help groups which helped me learn to manage stress and learn to relax. I also spent time learning about mental health and began practising basic principles to improve it, such as a healthy diet and a structured sleep routine. I also found daily exercise, meditation and prayer helped. The main thing I do now that I never used to do is talk to those around me if I am feeling overwhelmed and ask for help. I try to connect with other people daily and spend time doing activities I enjoy such as gardening, reading and listening to music. I also work at bank house now as a support worker and find it extremely rewarding trying to help others.