'people with such problems are kept in a spiral of poverty and isolation by the prejudices that surround them'

twenty three billion pounds.  that's the estimated annual cost of anxiety disorder in the uk alone.  prescriptions for such exceed that of any other medication and mental illness is the only group on incapacity benefit whose numbers are growing.

increasing discrimination at every level of society against ailments such as anxiety and depression (which affects one in six adults at any one time) has been reported.  some 85% of these sufferers have been subject to stigma.

although, of the lucky few correctly diagnosed, just a small fraction will receive the appropriate treatment.  in britain, only 21% of people with long-term mental illness are employed even though more than a million of these sufferers actually want to work.

appallingly, a person signed off work with mental illness for six months has only a 50% chance of working again, ever.

'panic attack.  i leave the train in total fear, teeth grinding, stressed breathing and sweat dripping in anticipation.  heart racing - harder faster, harder faster - whilst my mental radar seeks danger in everything and nothing.

the street offers no respite, too busy.  i avoid the evil crowds, shops and cars.  a shortcut, less traffic, less people, less distress.  instinctively seek quiet areas, hidden spots, in which to offer my sacrifice to pan, the greek god.

at last, seclusion.  with a little effort i rid myself of stomach acid and blood.

wasn't too bad.  normally it's on the train, last week in my car and the next time it'll be during a wedding ceremony.

anyway, as usual, i now have a full days work ahead of me..'

widely misunderstood, anxiety disorder can take many forms.  yet a sufferer doesn't necessarily fear (for example) social engagements, flying or snakes etc but is reduced to terror at the thought of how one's body might react in such a circumstance.  furthermore, the anticipation of which serves only to greatly multiply the fear.

whilst aware of how irrational the problem seems, one is unable to control these reactions in the given situation - perfuse sweating, nausea, dizziness and chest pains are common complaints.  removing the cause (public places, flying, snakes etc) then creates a perfect breeding ground for phobia.

to some, such a disorder is considered a mental weakness which further alienates the sufferer, creating a yet more profound illness.  one is trapped in a spiral of horror, loneliness and shame without a foreseeable end.

such an ailment can be difficult to comprehend but anyone, given the right/wrong circumstances, can be dehumanised by panic.

what follows is my experience.  and it isn't pleasant..

'anxiety disorder and panic attacks.  sometimes embarrassing, often frightening, always distressing'