Mel versus anxiety
Donation protected
Hi, I'm Mel. I am 38years old and for most of my life, I have suffered from severe anxiety...not to mention a few other mental health difficulties including OCD, Health anxiety, depression, panic disorder, claustrophobia, agoraphobia and many phobias. A friend once said that I had more phobias than a phobia book. Things that will see me running for the hills include bees, wasps, cows, horses, dentists and heights.
The claustrophobia means I avoid planes, ferries, underground trains, lifts, tunnels, caves, forts, castles and any rooms with heavy doors.
The agoraphobia means I avoid travelling, traffic jams, crowds, places I may get lost in.
So how has this affected my life?
Well I haven't been abroad for over 25 years. I missed my best friends wedding because it was too far away. I can't travel more than 35 miles from home on my own.
In general, I guess my world feels really small. There is so much I would love to see and do, but my anxiety and other problems have always gotten in the way.
Over the years I have tried various medications and completed hundreds of hours of therapy. Some of it has helped to a degree, but never really enough to free me.
That was until now. I have an awesome therapist, have found medication which suits me and for the first time in over 33 years, I can feel a change within me.
I am taking risks, slowly trying new things, gradually breaking through the barriers that my anxiety put in place. Right now, it feels like I have a window of opportunity to really try and beat it. I have made a start and for it to work, I believe I need to keep up the momentum.
So, why a Gofundme page?
Well I guess, facing my fears is going to take a lot....I can do the brave part, but I need some help with the costs involved. I do work and always have done, no matter how bad my mental health has been, but a very severe crisis last year impacted on how much I could work. As such my income dropped dramatically. I do not claim benefits or financial support of any kind as I believe there are others who need it more. Recovery from last years crisis is slow and it has to be a careful return to where I was before, work wise, to avoid a relapse. I am so uncomfortable talking about money, but mental health conditions can take a lot from you....including your income.
Therefore I am asking if people would consider helping me to face my fears by helping with the funding. Examples of things your money would be used for are;
A fear of flying course.
My first ever adult passport.
My first ever holiday abroad as an adult.
A ticket to spend all day riding the underground.
A ferry ticket.
Horse riding lessons.
To hire a guide to beat my fear of heights up a mountain.
To fund solo adventures.
and many many more things.
This isn't just me trying to get a free jolly. It is a person whose life has been severly affected by mental health, but now has a shot at overcoming it. I just need some help.
I would aslo like to explain that this feels awkward for me. I am one of lifes givers. I rarely, ever, take. I have raised thousands for charities over the years by doing various challenges. The charities include;
RNLI
Starlight
Stroke Association
Samaritans
OCD UK
Mind
Young Minds
Rethink
CARA - centre for action on rape and abuse
Local charities.
I hope this shows that I am genuine and that maybe, its ok to ask for help for myself this time.
In return I have created a facebook page, the link is at the bottom of this page. Here I will share my progress, my achievements, and show that mental health problems can be overcome.
It will of course help me, I will get back the life I feel I should always have had. But also, I would like to think that it may reach someone else struggling just like me, and give them hope.
Thank you for reading this.
Any donations, however small, will be received with such gratitude and love. If you are unable to donate, then maybe you could share this instead.
If in the event that I become seriously unwell with my mental health again, any unused funds will be donated to various mental health charities.
Follow my progress on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/melversusanxiety
The claustrophobia means I avoid planes, ferries, underground trains, lifts, tunnels, caves, forts, castles and any rooms with heavy doors.
The agoraphobia means I avoid travelling, traffic jams, crowds, places I may get lost in.
So how has this affected my life?
Well I haven't been abroad for over 25 years. I missed my best friends wedding because it was too far away. I can't travel more than 35 miles from home on my own.
In general, I guess my world feels really small. There is so much I would love to see and do, but my anxiety and other problems have always gotten in the way.
Over the years I have tried various medications and completed hundreds of hours of therapy. Some of it has helped to a degree, but never really enough to free me.
That was until now. I have an awesome therapist, have found medication which suits me and for the first time in over 33 years, I can feel a change within me.
I am taking risks, slowly trying new things, gradually breaking through the barriers that my anxiety put in place. Right now, it feels like I have a window of opportunity to really try and beat it. I have made a start and for it to work, I believe I need to keep up the momentum.
So, why a Gofundme page?
Well I guess, facing my fears is going to take a lot....I can do the brave part, but I need some help with the costs involved. I do work and always have done, no matter how bad my mental health has been, but a very severe crisis last year impacted on how much I could work. As such my income dropped dramatically. I do not claim benefits or financial support of any kind as I believe there are others who need it more. Recovery from last years crisis is slow and it has to be a careful return to where I was before, work wise, to avoid a relapse. I am so uncomfortable talking about money, but mental health conditions can take a lot from you....including your income.
Therefore I am asking if people would consider helping me to face my fears by helping with the funding. Examples of things your money would be used for are;
A fear of flying course.
My first ever adult passport.
My first ever holiday abroad as an adult.
A ticket to spend all day riding the underground.
A ferry ticket.
Horse riding lessons.
To hire a guide to beat my fear of heights up a mountain.
To fund solo adventures.
and many many more things.
This isn't just me trying to get a free jolly. It is a person whose life has been severly affected by mental health, but now has a shot at overcoming it. I just need some help.
I would aslo like to explain that this feels awkward for me. I am one of lifes givers. I rarely, ever, take. I have raised thousands for charities over the years by doing various challenges. The charities include;
RNLI
Starlight
Stroke Association
Samaritans
OCD UK
Mind
Young Minds
Rethink
CARA - centre for action on rape and abuse
Local charities.
I hope this shows that I am genuine and that maybe, its ok to ask for help for myself this time.
In return I have created a facebook page, the link is at the bottom of this page. Here I will share my progress, my achievements, and show that mental health problems can be overcome.
It will of course help me, I will get back the life I feel I should always have had. But also, I would like to think that it may reach someone else struggling just like me, and give them hope.
Thank you for reading this.
Any donations, however small, will be received with such gratitude and love. If you are unable to donate, then maybe you could share this instead.
If in the event that I become seriously unwell with my mental health again, any unused funds will be donated to various mental health charities.
Follow my progress on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/melversusanxiety
Organizer
Finn James
Organizer
