Patient case studies

Before the pandemic started, I’d never had any problems with stress, anxiety or low mood. However, COVID changed all of that.

Like many people across the world, I found myself suddenly worrying constantly about my safety and the safety of those I cared about. In one way, I was lucky – none of my family were classed as vulnerable due to underlying health conditions – however, my parents were over 70, so couldn’t leave their homes.

My problems started one night when I was out at a house party, one minute I was having fun, and the next it all changed. I was sexually assaulted.

Since that night, I really struggled to move forward and put it all behind me. Even though I reported it and the perpetrator was convicted, I still couldn’t get it out of my mind.

My anxiety started after having a few physical health problems. It took two years of endless tests and doctor visits to get a diagnosis. I was feeling better for a while, however soon after I had a cancer scare.

This left me worried that my health would deteriorate; I started checking my body every day for lumps and bumps, googling any aches and pains, and seeking reassurance from my GP. I believed that there must have been something physically wrong with me, and that the doctors were missing it.