Pipkin
05-07-15, 16:11
Hello all my fellow NMP members!
I've decided to tell you a little story which is from my perspective as a member of NMP, not as an administrator. It's not aimed at any individuals or approaches, it's just an honest and transparent post :).
A little about me: I have suffered from an anxiety disorder (labelled GAD but that can mean a myriad of things to different people) for all of my adult life and much of my childhood. I understand the physiological and psychological (body and mind) causes of my anxiety very well. At the same time, I have found a whole range of ways to enable me to lead as 'normal' life as possible which include therapy, lifestyle changes :woofand medication. I have worked full-time since university and have never taken a day's sick leave. All in all, I've not done too bad although I've had some very difficult times over the years.
Four years ago, I went rapidly downhill to the point of constant panic, virtually unbearable physical symptoms with borderline psychosis. Nothing I did helped and I was in a state of desperation. Keeping working through this was almost impossible but somehow I did (with the help of an understanding boss). And then I stumbled upon NMP through a Google search, like many of us do, looking for another solution. This was the point at which everything changed. I found genuine, kind people who understood, having been through similar situations themselves. I found mutual support, buddied up with people in the same boat and, as a group, we got ourselves through. The warmth of members and their genuine desire to help others was something I had never seen before. Without this, I can't imagine where I would be now.
So now on to the main part of what I wanted to say. If you're still with me at this point, well done and as a prize, I'll whistle a little tune for you later :whistles:! Instead of feeling better and then disappearing from NMP, the site which enabled me to meet some marvellous people and turn my life around, I decided to see if I could give back and support people whose issues I could relate to. Subsequently, Nicola kindly offered me a role as administrator which I jumped at as it enabled me to give back even more, a role which I will continue as long as Nicola wants me to. The tireless and selfless work Nicola puts into maintaining this site is unbelievable. I can never repay the debt I owe her for this, but I try through my own little contribution. I never take this site for granted. Never.
As an administrator, I'm not looking for gratitude or recognition :flowers:. I'm not actually asking for anything for myself. What I value is that me and my admin colleagues are treated with respect, with an understanding that it can be a tough role and that we too are anxiety sufferers. This has been lacking in some quarters recently to the point that some of us are finding it very distressing and difficult to cope with, exacerbated by some challenging personal situations, for Nic in particular. For me, well I'll take it on the chin, have a few sleepless nights, a day or two of raised anxiety levels and the odd panic attack. Nothing I haven't experienced before and will again. I can't comment on the rest of the team but it hasn't been easy. It's a shame that it's so unnecessary.
So to end my (what turned out to be not so) little story and if you're still with me, your sainthood will follow :noangel:, I want to say thank you to all the members who have helped me over the years, the admin team who despite what I have said, never lose their focus on helping others for free in their leisure time, and most of all Nicola for having started NMP all those years ago and dedicating so much of her life to its maintenance and daily running. I think as members, we can all take a collective bow for the support we give which makes this such a welcoming and unique site. That is certainly something to be proud of.
For those of you who have made it to the end, your little tune, sainthood and as special Pipkin bonus, a hug :hugs:, will be dispatched shortly.
Take care
Pip
I've decided to tell you a little story which is from my perspective as a member of NMP, not as an administrator. It's not aimed at any individuals or approaches, it's just an honest and transparent post :).
A little about me: I have suffered from an anxiety disorder (labelled GAD but that can mean a myriad of things to different people) for all of my adult life and much of my childhood. I understand the physiological and psychological (body and mind) causes of my anxiety very well. At the same time, I have found a whole range of ways to enable me to lead as 'normal' life as possible which include therapy, lifestyle changes :woofand medication. I have worked full-time since university and have never taken a day's sick leave. All in all, I've not done too bad although I've had some very difficult times over the years.
Four years ago, I went rapidly downhill to the point of constant panic, virtually unbearable physical symptoms with borderline psychosis. Nothing I did helped and I was in a state of desperation. Keeping working through this was almost impossible but somehow I did (with the help of an understanding boss). And then I stumbled upon NMP through a Google search, like many of us do, looking for another solution. This was the point at which everything changed. I found genuine, kind people who understood, having been through similar situations themselves. I found mutual support, buddied up with people in the same boat and, as a group, we got ourselves through. The warmth of members and their genuine desire to help others was something I had never seen before. Without this, I can't imagine where I would be now.
So now on to the main part of what I wanted to say. If you're still with me at this point, well done and as a prize, I'll whistle a little tune for you later :whistles:! Instead of feeling better and then disappearing from NMP, the site which enabled me to meet some marvellous people and turn my life around, I decided to see if I could give back and support people whose issues I could relate to. Subsequently, Nicola kindly offered me a role as administrator which I jumped at as it enabled me to give back even more, a role which I will continue as long as Nicola wants me to. The tireless and selfless work Nicola puts into maintaining this site is unbelievable. I can never repay the debt I owe her for this, but I try through my own little contribution. I never take this site for granted. Never.
As an administrator, I'm not looking for gratitude or recognition :flowers:. I'm not actually asking for anything for myself. What I value is that me and my admin colleagues are treated with respect, with an understanding that it can be a tough role and that we too are anxiety sufferers. This has been lacking in some quarters recently to the point that some of us are finding it very distressing and difficult to cope with, exacerbated by some challenging personal situations, for Nic in particular. For me, well I'll take it on the chin, have a few sleepless nights, a day or two of raised anxiety levels and the odd panic attack. Nothing I haven't experienced before and will again. I can't comment on the rest of the team but it hasn't been easy. It's a shame that it's so unnecessary.
So to end my (what turned out to be not so) little story and if you're still with me, your sainthood will follow :noangel:, I want to say thank you to all the members who have helped me over the years, the admin team who despite what I have said, never lose their focus on helping others for free in their leisure time, and most of all Nicola for having started NMP all those years ago and dedicating so much of her life to its maintenance and daily running. I think as members, we can all take a collective bow for the support we give which makes this such a welcoming and unique site. That is certainly something to be proud of.
For those of you who have made it to the end, your little tune, sainthood and as special Pipkin bonus, a hug :hugs:, will be dispatched shortly.
Take care
Pip