Wow !! I seem to have resonated with a lot of people. I am happy to have connected with you and I thank you all for the well thought out responses. I hope I have picked up some useful tips from your replies.

When "I had a life", I experienced a lot of the things you have described. I have not worked in 5 years and not very much in the last 10 years. I have been closing down my life as a defence mechanism. I am now scared to do anything for fear of problems. I survive on a mundane routine that is largely based on daytime TV. I increasingly isolate myself. I think my lack of a purpose is my biggest trigger to my worry and anxiety.

It is nice to meet you all.