Anxiety sufferers open up about negative comments received

Everyone has felt anxious at some point or another; however, for many people anxiety can become so overwhelming that it can interfere in daily life.

Anxiety is a rising mental health condition, but, for those who don’t suffer from it, it can be hard to relate to what the sufferer is feeling.

Unfortunately a lack of knowledge can manifest itself into insensitive comments and advice.

Ahead of the UK’s Mental Health Awareness Week, the Priory Group conducted a poll asking anxiety sufferers to share the worst thing that someone has said to them about their illness.

Shockingly, the results show that not only is there a lack of knowledge surrounding the condition, there is still a stigma when it comes to mental health.

Dr. Paul McLean consultant psychiatrist at Priory Hospital Hayes Grove says: “Despite there being as many as one in four sufferers of anxiety there is still a stigma attached to mental health. We need to work on educating people to help them understand that anxiety is a normal part of human experience and that it is nothing to be ashamed of.”

The project shows people standing with placards highlighting the negative comments they have received concerning their illness.

You can view more of these photos here.