An army veteran from Hyde has expressed profound gratitude to local NHS mental health services after receiving life-changing support for severe panic problems. Gary Hind, 67, a former soldier awarded an MBE in 1999, sought specialist care from the Tameside and Glossop Talking Therapies team after debilitating chest pains left him physically incapacitated in a town centre.
Struggles with trauma and panic
Mr Hind had lived with mental health difficulties since childhood, stemming from a troubled home situation and the sudden death of his father. Despite a successful military career, a difficult period at work years later triggered his past trauma. The severe stress manifested as tight chest pains, heart flutters, and extreme breathlessness, forcing him to abandon his beloved outdoor hobbies. Medical tests ruled out physical heart conditions, leading a doctor to diagnose Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Gary decided to self-refer to the local health team. He was diagnosed with panic disorder — causing sudden feelings of terror — and generalised anxiety disorder, which involves constant, overwhelming worries.
Impact on daily life
After his military career, Gary spent 15 years helping students with personal development skills before work stress caused his mental health to decline. The pressure became so intense that he struggled to speak with family members at birthday parties or remember basic conversations. "It was something that I just couldn't get over," he explained. "I felt like I'd had a massive blow to my head. My brain suddenly felt like a sponge – nothing was going in anymore."
"For years I'd worked to be someone that people could trust and respect, and suddenly that was taken from me. It was the straw that broke the camel's back. I was physically there but I couldn't get out of my head; I'd be drifting off thinking of other things. And then I noticed my memory got worse – people would talk to me about things, but I couldn't remember them. It was like a fog clouding over everything. I stopped walking my dog and lost all motivation. It became hard to even get out of bed."
Breakthrough with specialist therapy
The breakthrough came during an appointment with a specialist. "It was like a lightbulb moment," Gary said. "I heard him say those words and I just broke down in tears. Everything about my past, the discipline, the way my life had changed since, just flooded out. I was telling him [the cardiologist] about things I'd not talked about for years."
Gary was treated by Lee Martin, a specialist therapist at NHS Tameside and Glossop Talking Therapies. They used Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy — which uses side-to-side eye movements to process traumatic memories — alongside Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which helps change negative thinking patterns.
Lee said: "A big part of our work involved exposure therapy, where we carefully and safely supported him to face the fear he had of having a heart attack, caused by his chest pains, and the situations he had started to avoid, like exercising. We made sure Gary had a full understanding of the process and could identify his negative thoughts and the role of fight-or-flight. By gradually experiencing these feelings and realising they weren't dangerous, his confidence grew. Over time, his anxiety reduced, he was able to feel more in control and get back to everyday activities that mattered to him."
Life transformed
The specialised psychological treatment has completely transformed Gary's life, allowing him to resume regular outdoor activities. He now walks his dog for longer distances and feels much more positive about his long-term future.
"The process was harder than I thought it would be – but it's been life-changing," Gary added. "I'm now more aware of myself and my behaviours, and I have the skills I need to tackle them head-on. It's given me the tools I need to properly accept, move on, and look forward to the future. I cannot thank them enough."
The veteran is urging older generations to ignore stigma and seek medical support. "Therapy helps you to understand yourself. At 67, it's easy to think there's no point – but it's never too late to ask for help," he said. "The team are so knowledgeable and approachable, it's worth a chance. I'm not 'fixed', but I'm moving forward – and that makes all the difference. Life is precious, you've got to live it."
Residents aged 16 and over registered with a local GP can access this free psychological service. More information or self-referral is available online.
