Mental health campaigners in North Yorkshire share experiences of anxiety
It's as a new report suggest almost half of all UK adults are struggling
New research suggest nearly half of all adults (48%) living in the UK feel anxious Leading health experts, who recognise that the UK is experiencing a 'perfect storm' of issues relating to mental health, are calling for urgent action to be taken to improve self-management of mild anxiety.
Commenting in a new 'Empowerment in the Epidemic of Anxiety Report', the panel of community and industry health experts highlighted the growing burden of mental health issues on an already overstretched NHS. They conclude that the way forward must include empowering and supporting those with mild anxiety to develop coping strategies.
"It can feel like you are dying"
Rosie Taylor is from Thirsk and is trying to break the stigma around mental health. She tells us about how anxiety has impacted her:
"I will come to these awful conclusions all by myself, like the classic no one really likes me, but also the physical side of it, in constantly feeling a sense of unease, feeling a bit sick, sweating, nervous like shakes.
"My mind wouldn't stop racing, I'd be sweating I would feel like I was going to pass out, heart racing, that sort of thing, once you can identify that it's a panic attack, it's a lot easier to deal with but obviously if you are not familiar with what a panic attack feels like, it can feel like you are dying and it's very scary."
"You kind of go down this spiral of negative thought patterns, and if you stop that thought pattern or at least address it, nearer the start, and realise or recognise that it is irrational and talking to somebody else about it, that can help a lot."
Dr Sarah Jarvis, general practitioner, clinical consultant and expert panellist says: "We have a perfect storm of issues in relation to anxiety. The figures for people suffering with anxiety have increased considerably during the pandemic. To add to the problem, waiting lists for mental health services have increased further. This lack of availability of service inevitably has a huge impact on general practice as well - people with anxiety consult their GP more often, and I have found it increasingly difficult to be able to offer services for people at the milder end of the anxiety and depression spectrum."