Tuesday 17 March 2026
Andrea Thompson, 56, from County Durham, lived a hectic lifestyle with a demanding career that she adored, until she suffered a tonic-clonic seizure in June 2022.
Now retired, Andrea said: “I was working 9-hour days for 17 years in an independent school. I absolutely loved my job, and I was very good at it.
“I had planned to work until I was 60, but that kind of lifestyle is not sustainable.
“I was also heading into the menopause and was experiencing hot flushes.
“My first seizure was such a shock. I took a few months off work and my employer was really supportive.
“Some people never have another seizure, so I was hopeful that I would be ok.”
Unfortunately, 10 months later, while in the later stages of losing her mum, Andrea suffered a second seizure.
“I collapsed at the till in a shop,” she said.
“I went back to work two days later. Although it was part time, looking back I can see this was not a healthy way to live.
“I lost a lot of weight and lost my sense of taste and smell – I was generally really unwell.
“I saw a consultant who thought the seizures were related to stress, anxiety and the menopause.
“Everything, including my mental health, was a struggle. It felt like I had navigated through the effects of one seizure, when another one would happen.”
It was at this time that Andrea found ARCH Recovery College in Durham, after it was recommended to her by a practitioner at her GP surgery.
ARCH offers courses for adults to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
“I initially felt unsure and uneasy about enrolling onto a course at ARCH. I wasn’t in a good place – I would get halfway there and turn back.
“I didn’t think I needed something like this.
“I had anxiety around having another seizure – the thought of going somewhere and collapsing – and symptoms of the menopause which were still very much there.
“I had terrible brain fog, was struggling to formulate sentences, and didn’t want to see my family and friends – which was the polar opposite of my nature.
“I’d never felt anything like this in my life and my saving grace was talking to my husband, who has been my rock throughout this entire time.”
In November 2024, Andrea, who had now left work, sadly lost her mum and experienced her third seizure just three months later. It is thought that this contributed to her third seizure.
“When I started attending ARCH Recovery College, I was gravitating towards the courses around loss, positive psychology, and spirituality and recovery. All gritty, but therapeutic courses,” she continued.
“I am now attending courses on understanding resilience, exploring self-esteem and cultivating happiness.
“The college is a safe and caring environment in dark times. The staff are so kind, open, welcoming and knowledgeable, especially when dealing with vulnerable and fragile people.
“So many different people attend – I feel humbled when I’m there, seeing people looking fine and knowing that they have things going on too.
“The seizures, menopause and losing my mum took me down a road I wouldn’t have chosen, but it all defines me and I feel blessed that I’m alive.”
ARCH Recovery College in Durham, run by our trust, offers free courses on a wide variety topics including challenging negative thoughts, understanding health anxiety and creative writing.
There are also regular walking groups, photography groups and monthly ‘coffee, cake and conversations’ – an informal group that discusses a specific issue relating to wellbeing and positive mental health.
Find out more about ARCH Recovery College
If you’re struggling with your mental health, remember, you matter. Find help and support for your mental health.
