\n Duncan Thorpe, 49, who runs Prestige Connections in Great Sankey, decided to start the group after years of unanswered questions about his own mental health.\n<\/p>\n
\n He first experienced health anxiety at just 16 but didn\u2019t fully understand it, or how to manage it.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI just assumed it was part of life \u2013 being worried about things all the time,\u201d\u00a0said Duncan.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI got to the point where I thought: this is an obsession.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n During the pandemic, his anxiety worsened due to the difficulty of securing a doctor\u2019s appointment.\n<\/p>\n
\n But through various coping methods \u2013 like keeping a diary, exercise, and talking with friends and family \u2013 Duncan overcame his health anxiety, and now wants to help others do the same.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: \u201cI realised there must be people like me in Warrington.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI\u2019ve set this group up so they can have an outlet.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cUntil my mid-thirties, I hadn\u2019t spoken to anyone about health anxiety \u2013 it really helps.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n The Living Well Hub on Horsemarket Street, home to 25 organisations and more than 350 staff, offered Duncan a free space to host the meetings.\n<\/p>\n
\n The first session will take place on\u00a0Wednesday, July 9, from 7pm to 8pm, with fortnightly meetings to follow.\n<\/p>\n
\n Reflecting on his own journey, Duncan said:\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s been a good one, but it certainly hasn\u2019t been easy.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThere will be someone in Warrington whose life is being ruined by health anxiety. \u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIf you\u2019re struggling, this is a really good group to come to.\u201d\n<\/p>\n