PARENTS FILE LAWSUIT OVER DAUGHTER’S DEATH WHO HAD SEVERE ANXIETY

Well this story is pretty sad but it’s important for us to talk about it. The worst part about anxiety is the potential end game. Yes the potential end game for anxiety can be death. It can also be complete recovery it’s not all bad. Sadly today we are going to talk about the worst case scenario. I found an article here about how a woman ended her life due to crippling anxiety and how her parents are suing her university over it

From the article: “The parents of a student with severe social anxiety who took her life on the day she was due to make a class presentation are suing her university. Natasha Abrahart, 20, a physics student at the University of Bristol, was found dead in April 2018.She was set to address 50 staff and students at a laboratory conference in a 329-seat lecture theatre the same day.

Her parents Robert and Margaret, from West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, have now filed a county court claim against the institution, alleging negligence and disability discrimination. They say the university had known for six months that she suffered from anxiety and panic attacks but failed “to take reasonable care” of their daughter’s “well being, health and safety”.”

They knew she had serious anxiety issues

How sad. It’s my view that if the university knew about her severe anxiety that some accommodation should have been made for her condition. We make concessions for all sorts of disabilities and issues people have. I unfortunately don’t have a great solution for this problem, one of the things everyone does in the college experience is, at some point you have to stand in front of people and give a presentation.

I feel horrible for the parents, I understand how angry they must be. I understand their desire to hold the university accountable for their lack of accommodation for this woman. It’s extremely difficult for many people out there. Anxiety can be crippling for some and clearly the worst case scenario for others. I am fortunate to be able to be able to be functional with anxiety. Millions are not and they suffer in silence.

I hope this tragedy translates into more accommodation for people with extreme anxiety. We need to have more compassion for those with mental illness. Perhaps in the future this address could be taped? I don’t know. I do know this is a challenging story to cover as I want to be respectful and not seem cavalier. I think it’s important for all of us to see these stories and think about our own situations.

If you ever feel that you’re close to the end game you need to talk to someone ASAP. No matter how bad it is, nothing is worse than taking your life. You can recover from almost anything, a missed assignment a canceled lecture. Students face a lot of pressure and the world is no better. Hang in there and remember you are not alone.

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