Bury St Edmunds woman Dawn Matter who became agoraphobic as a result of coronavirus lockdown urges others to take easing of restrictions 'at own pace'

A Suffolk woman who was scared to leave her home as a result of coronavirus restrictions has warned that the effects of lockdown on mental health will be felt for many years to come.

Dawn Matter, of Bury St Edmunds, who has suffered with depression and anxiety most of her life, said she became agoraphobic after having stayed at home for more than a year due to Covid-19.

And with all restrictions and safety measures currently due to be lifted later this month, Dawn said she is feeling stressed at the thought of life returning to what it used to be.

"Personally, I have become so used to not going out much and to there not being very many people around when I did," she said.

"The normal we once knew isn't there anymore so I think coming out of lockdown now is more a case of finding a new start and that's very hard to do when, for a year, we've not being doing any social things."

Dawn added that the return to pre-pandemic life is particularly difficult for people like her who felt a sense of relief when the country was ordered to stay at home last March.

But for people like me, the world is just as scary now because it's full of people again and full of expectation

"I don't think it's too much to say that it was a nice feeling when lockdown started and I wasn't the only one having to cancel plans," she said.

"Ironically, I felt in a way that I was being given control over my life as someone who suffers from anxiety around social situations.

"I didn't have to force myself to go to anything and I also wasn't feeling the guilt of having to let people down."

It's because of that that Dawn doesn't share the general enthusiasm about the country opening up again.

"It's bittersweet really because on the one hand I am thrilled that we're finding a way to live with the virus instead of in fear of it," she said.

"I know the world was a scary place for so many people last year and I completely understand that everyone is excited for a time when it's not like that and they can go out and see their friends and family.

"But for people like me, the world is just as scary now because it's full of people again and full of expectation and that's not easy for someone who doesn't feel comfortable even leaving the house."

Dawn also believes that many people's mental health will have been affected negatively by coronavirus lockdown, even if it doesn't seem like it yet.

"I think it's really important to realise that we're all different and have all been facing different battles," she said.

"For one person, having to go out to work during the pandemic may have been terrifying and for others, being forced to work from home might have been really isolating.

"I don't think we're aware even now of what effects lockdown will have had on our minds and we might find different issues pop up in years to come that will have been caused by this last year.

"That's a scary thought in itself."

The 60 year old is therefore urging people of all ages to take the easing of restrictions 'at the pace which is best for them'.

I just want anyone who feels like they're struggling alone to know that that's not the case at all

"If you only feel up to making one plan this month, do that," she said.

"And then maybe next month you'll feel up to making two and the next month maybe three.

"I think it's going to be too much for a lot of people to take on everything at once and I worry that this will cause stress and anxiety far down the line.

"I just want anyone who feels like they're struggling alone to know that that's not the case at all and that everyone has to go at their own pace."

Dawn also urged anyone struggling with their mental health to reach out for help via the First Response helpline, Mind charity or the Samaritans.

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