A MUCH-LOVED young woman who was clever, funny, and talented died after taking an overdose of her medication for pain and low mood.

But Andrea Cockbain, 35, who just days earlier had been discharged from the Copeland Unit of Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital following treatment for a broken hip, did not intend to take her life, a coroner has ruled.

As she summed up of the evidence, Coroner Kirsty Gomersall spoke warmly of Miss Cockbain, describing her as a "much loved daughter," who was clever, funny, and sociable.

She also had a good sense of humour.

Miss Cockbain had loved fell walking and cycling but music had been her life.

"She sang with local bands," said the coroner, noting how Miss Cockbain had been a friend to many people.

A week-long inquest heard that Miss Cockbain had in recent years faced considerable physical challenges after she suffered a stroke which affected her speech.

She had been diagnosed in 2016 with a psychological condition - known as EUPD - which affected her emotions and her mood, the hearing was told.

She had a history of suicidal thoughts.

Miss Cockbain died at her home in Homewood Road, Whitehaven, on March 15, 2018, four days after her discharge from the Copeland Unit.

She had overdosed on Amitriptyline, which is used to treat depression and pain.

A pathologist concluded that the primary cause of her death had been toxicity from her taking “a significant” number of Amitriptyline tablets – a medication used to treat depression and also pain.

Though taking the tablets was deliberate, said the coroner, there was no evidence neglect contributed to the tragedy and nor was there evidence Miss Cockbain intended to take her own life.

Ms Gomersal said Miss Cockbain’s actions could be explained as an attempt to draw attention to “internal distress.”

The hearings record of inquest said: "On 17 March, Andrea was subject to a number of stressful situations which overwhelmed her.

"Whilst Andrea took a deliberate overdose, it is more likely that this was attention seeking behaviour or a cry for help than a meaningful attempt to take her own life.

Referring to Miss Cockbain's spell in hospital, the coroner said: “In some ways, it must have been a Godsend being in hospital around people of her own age, who could spend time with her.”

She had received appropriate mental health support, said the coroner, but on March 17, suffered a mood crash.

Miss Gomersall added that Miss Cockbain had been fortunate to have had her mother Christine, who supported her through her problems and who was at her bedside as she battled to recover from the stroke and the fractured hip.