A mother killed herself by drug overdose because she could not cope with the stresses of life, an inquest heard.

Lynn Claydon, 35, of Thornhill Close, Kirby Cross, survived an overdose in 1995. She was diagnosed as manic depressive and over the next five years spent time in mental health units.

One day soon after leaving Eaglehurst mental health unit this year Mrs Claydon took her children to school. She phoned her mother and asked her to pick them up.

When her husband Paul returned home from work she was upstairs asleep. At 10.30pm he went to check and found her fighting for breath.

Mrs Claydon died at Colchester General Hospital on February 23.

Mr Claydon told the inquest at Colchester Town Hall: "Lynn found coping with everyday items very difficult. When she was at Eaglehurst all those sources of stress were removed from her.

"To come home and deal with the illness and the pressures of life was too much for her. I think she was left with a terrible decision."

Coroner Dr Malcolm Weir said a suicide note was found.

Verdict: suicide.

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