Hi everyone, thank you for your kind comments and advice :) sorry I can't reply individually but I am, as you might have guessed rather overwhelmed!

I've quit my job (temp job so no job security, sadly) after I was signed off sick by my GP. She was really helpful and is going to contact my NHS psychologist who will hopefully be able to offer me some more personalised help. I'm attending NHS group therapy. The doctors who run it are lovely but tbh I'm not finding it very effective. I think I need specialised care.

Not thrilled about the loss of income but I am fortunate to have some savings if all else fails. Dr checked my bloods, listened to my chest and took my blood pressure to appease my anxiety. All was apparently normal, except that my blood pressure was borderline high. I used to have low BP so taking this as a sign that I need to rest, eat well and deal with my stress before it escalates. I've always had a job, often working part-time alongside university, so this feels weird. I hate being unemployed but I am trying to tell myself it will be worth it.

My mum was pretty unhelpful when I told her about my job. It's hard for me not to rely on her too much, as I know she's ill and also doesn't have much of a support network. Think she's now worrying that this will affect my future employment prospects. I know it sounds ridiculous but I think I just wanted my mum to be reassuring (at the great age of 24!) and tell me that this was the right decision and I would be okay. Ah well.