Mahbub Ahmed uses This Way Up every day
A difficult period
"At the time I was going through a difficult period. I has having severe panic attacks. Small things would make me anxious, normal things like shopping.
It was not a nice feeling at all being anxious all the time.… it stopped me going to the park with my children.
I was doing voluntary work and the person I worked with said ‘listen, there’s a place called This Way Up and they can really help you'.”
Eye-opening
The first session was pretty eye-opening. I was anxious about everyone judging me. I did not feel alone, I was free to open up about my feelings. It almost felt like a burden was lifted at that time. I felt like I was the only person going through this.
Thoughts are not facts
There were a lot of things we could benefit from. One of the things really helped me was the idea that the bad thoughts are feelings. They rarely become reality. They are just thoughts and they come and go.
Everyday practise
I set goals. I allocated a time during my day where I could have some time to myself for reflection and meditation, and just being mindful of surroundings, of myself, my body and my breathing. It helped me to focus too."
"I am not as fearful anymore. I tend to enjoy myself now.
Step by step I hope I will get to the stage that I am more confident in my abilities".
Mahbub, This Way Up participant