southend4ever
I used to play a little.
Some months ago now I come onto this website and was very open and honest about how depression/anxiety was overtaking my life. Part of the reason was to get back into the swing of things on Shrimperzone and let people know where I have been but the other was to seek feedback and opinions on the mental illness as a way of potentially helping to deal with the issue.
The response I had was truly overwhelming. I received well wishes, people's personal experiences with the battle, contact telephone numbers and advice. So much of this was received as a PM which just goes to show how much the people of Shrimperzone care. It is so refreshing to know that other people in the human race will drop things and go out of their way for others.
The support that I received helped me no end. I was down but had mustered up enough energy to turn on a computer and post and I will never regret the decision I made. My new philosophy which I will carry with me is "a problem shared is a problem halved". To all of you who responded I offer a personal "thank you" from the heart. Your response gave me some extra confidence at a time that I couldn't get much lower. It gave me a belief that I could get through what I was battling and that things didn't have to remain negative forever. For those that have experienced being so low I am sure you will agree with me and understand how it is to have a close community around you and the love of your family and friends.
I was inspired to write this after reading the message of thanks from Genial Harry Grout yesterday regarding his Business Plans thread. Entirely different, but again it shows the extra mile that people go and we must never look beyond that. I am sure GHG will agree with me that the response is a step beyond something you thought possible and each and almost every post articulately written and helpful in its own way.
Some of you had continued to send messages of support long after my initial post and for that I am thankful. I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how I am getting on now. As of tomorrow I will have been back at work for 2 months. It was a momentous achievement for me the day that I returned after having 3 months off of work due to depression/anxiety. I began working limited hours but I am now back working full days and I am trying to enjoy life. I did seek the advice of a number of you and have been having counselling sessions which I feel have benefitted me and have looked at the way I think and shown me better ways to process my thoughts.
I had lost 2 stone in weight and whilst I had returned to eating like a starved human enjoying his first meal after Ramadam, pretty much every day, I had not been putting weight back on. However, late night milk and biscuits seem to be doing the trick now. I am still not drinking which is probably the reason behind my weight staying lower! Most women, seem to be jealous of this but I just want to put my gut back on! I worked years on that!
The weight is going up, my outlook on life is much more positive and I do aim to get back to physical activity soon. I have been going to watch my friends play cricket and have enjoyed socialising. But I feel like I owe so much to the people of Shrimperzone for providing inspiration at such a tough time in my life!
A real heart felt "thank you" and a message to say that the response I had is something that I am unlikey to ever forget.
Right, time to sign off before I well up in front of my colleagues or get the sack for slacking off of work!
Thanks to everyone and I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart.
Greg
The response I had was truly overwhelming. I received well wishes, people's personal experiences with the battle, contact telephone numbers and advice. So much of this was received as a PM which just goes to show how much the people of Shrimperzone care. It is so refreshing to know that other people in the human race will drop things and go out of their way for others.
The support that I received helped me no end. I was down but had mustered up enough energy to turn on a computer and post and I will never regret the decision I made. My new philosophy which I will carry with me is "a problem shared is a problem halved". To all of you who responded I offer a personal "thank you" from the heart. Your response gave me some extra confidence at a time that I couldn't get much lower. It gave me a belief that I could get through what I was battling and that things didn't have to remain negative forever. For those that have experienced being so low I am sure you will agree with me and understand how it is to have a close community around you and the love of your family and friends.
I was inspired to write this after reading the message of thanks from Genial Harry Grout yesterday regarding his Business Plans thread. Entirely different, but again it shows the extra mile that people go and we must never look beyond that. I am sure GHG will agree with me that the response is a step beyond something you thought possible and each and almost every post articulately written and helpful in its own way.
Some of you had continued to send messages of support long after my initial post and for that I am thankful. I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how I am getting on now. As of tomorrow I will have been back at work for 2 months. It was a momentous achievement for me the day that I returned after having 3 months off of work due to depression/anxiety. I began working limited hours but I am now back working full days and I am trying to enjoy life. I did seek the advice of a number of you and have been having counselling sessions which I feel have benefitted me and have looked at the way I think and shown me better ways to process my thoughts.
I had lost 2 stone in weight and whilst I had returned to eating like a starved human enjoying his first meal after Ramadam, pretty much every day, I had not been putting weight back on. However, late night milk and biscuits seem to be doing the trick now. I am still not drinking which is probably the reason behind my weight staying lower! Most women, seem to be jealous of this but I just want to put my gut back on! I worked years on that!
The weight is going up, my outlook on life is much more positive and I do aim to get back to physical activity soon. I have been going to watch my friends play cricket and have enjoyed socialising. But I feel like I owe so much to the people of Shrimperzone for providing inspiration at such a tough time in my life!
A real heart felt "thank you" and a message to say that the response I had is something that I am unlikey to ever forget.
Right, time to sign off before I well up in front of my colleagues or get the sack for slacking off of work!
Thanks to everyone and I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart.
Greg
