Real Stories

I’ve had IBS for some time now. At one of my regular appointments at the Homerton, my doctor suggested I try Talking Therapies.

I knew there was a link between IBS and stress. Flare-ups are stressful and I find myself worrying about how it is going to affect my day. And when I get stressed it often makes my symptoms worse. But I hadn’t realised that talking therapies might be able to help.

I found the short stint of therapy really valuable – like a ‘mental MOT’. It has helped me take a ‘whole person’ view of myself and my health. I have learned techniques that have made it easier to cope and manage my symptoms so it doesn’t affect my life so much.

I would never have said that I needed ‘therapy’, but I really appreciated it and am so glad that I got the chance to explore it.

After finishing my BTEC things went downhill for me. I didn’t have a job and became depressed. I thought I had nothing to offer society and felt useless and sad.

I began to withdraw, struggled with sleeping, and basically didn’t go out for a couple of years. Eventually I went to the GP who put me in touch with Talking Therapies.

I felt so relieved being able to talk to someone. My therapist began working with me on my depression and suggested I also meet with a Talking Therapies employment adviser.

My employment adviser helped me find a six-week training placement as a sports coach, something I have always dreamed of. He came along to my first training session and pops in to see how I’m doing. I’m hopeful it will lead to my first ever job.

I’m feeling more confident every day and doing something I enjoy. I don’t feel useless any more and have so much to look forward to. Talking Therapies have helped me to do things I thought were impossible.

I had been feeling sad and irritable and didn’t feel optimistic about anything. I stopped seeing friends and didn’t go out or exercise any more. I was staying in and comfort eating and the negative feelings just kept building up.

I actually went to the GP for medication because I wasn’t sleeping, even though I felt exhausted all the time. She suggested Talking Therapies.

I went on the website and filled in the form, although I wasn’t sure how it was going to help. I had a weekly telephone session to start with, going fortnightly in the end.

We made a plan – just baby steps to start with – but they were practical and realistic and helped me take control.

Now I’m seeing my friends, getting out and about, and getting my step count up. It’s made such a difference to my day-to-day life.

I’ve experienced depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. Recently I had been feeling miserable, became isolated, and stopped interacting with friends and family and people at work.

I went to my GP when I started getting panic attacks. He suggested Talking Therapies. I completed the online form and got a call back to arrange an initial telephone appointment.

I had weekly face-to-face sessions. It was hard to begin with. I was sceptical that talking would be able to help. I felt helpless about ever being able to change beliefs I have had my whole life. But by helping me change my behaviour, it changed the way I was feeling about life.

I’ve overcome my depression and my panic attacks have reduced as I have learnt ways to manage anxious situations. Gradually I’ve come to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel.