EWG offer a free and low cost support to members of the community in Wigan and the surrounding areas.

They offer several services including face to face counselling.

EWG are a none profit organisation and rely heavily on donations to continue running their services.

My Story

My first Panic attack was when I was 12 years old, I have since lived with anxiety on and off. But always managed it.

10 years ago my drink was spiked & this is the first time I’ve ever experienced ‘Intrusive Thoughts’ and Extreme Anxiety.

I was really ill with Anxiety after the spiking and needed home help by the Crisis Team.

6 months later I was better and carried on normal life. Still living with general anxiety but nothing major.

Since this experience I have had what I call ‘episodes’ 4 times. Most recent March 2025.

Dr’s have always put it down to Anxiety and maybe some form of PTSD.

Until early this year and my 4th episode started. When the ‘episode’ hits, it goes from 0 to 100. I go from being care free to an anxious mess! I went to the Crisis Hub who said someone would phone to help. Nobody called. Previously I’ve been to A and E and told to go home and colour a colouring book! (Honestly - Shocking)

I went to my doctors 3 times, because the racing thoughts wouldn’t stop. It’s like someone’s turned on a TV and it won’t switch off. But you also don’t have control of what the racing thoughts are. I didn’t sleep for 4 nights straight. Literally thought I was going mental, nothing was stopping them.

To the point I said, I can’t cope and I was having thoughts I didn’t want to be here. (Didn’t want to act on them, just was so ill with it) GP said it’s just anxiety and sent me on my way with Propranolol. She told me to try Talking Therapies (I was discharged from Talking Therapies 2 years ago for being too anxious). To then be told I needed to go to the gynaecologist - Hormones. GP refused to send me.

I spoke to a mental health nurse online (paid for by myself) and she suggested my GP sends me to a psychiatrist to try understand whats going on. GP refused.

I then spoke to a councillor via phone to start some CBT & she also said I was too bad. She’ll write to my GP and ask me to be referred to a psychiatrist. GP’s next appointment was 2 weeks wait. Literally felt like nobody was helping and was being passed from pillow to post.

In the meantime I went back to EWG who I have used in the past. This was such a great help.

Thankfully I was able to pay private and see a Psychiatrist at the Priory. Who diagnosed OCD with intrusive thoughts and Generalised Anxiety Disorder.

I now work with EWG once a week trying to find the triggers or where the trauma comes from.

I literally wouldn’t wish this on anyone. I’d rather have 2 broken legs. This year was meant to be my ‘peaceful year’ haha and it’s turned into WW3 with myself and missing out on what should be fun occasions, holidays, work, relationships because I’m constantly having a battle in my head / physical symptoms. It’s so exhausting & sad because it’s not me.

I still don’t understand why it happens…it’s very scary! I don’t drink, never taken drugs and exercise..sometimes I ask why me! But we will get there.. 💪🏼

I have set myself a challenge of running the Tatton 10k in September! I want to give back to EWG because they've been a big help to me over the last few years & they’re literally a non profit organisation.

If anyone ever wants to chat just message me! Because I totally get it… ❤️

Update : Feeling SO much better! It’s sad reading this back, because it feels like a totally different person. Ready for the 10km challenge! ☺️