Jaco45er
31-10-08, 11:06
Anyone seen ole Ally on TV recently? he is popping up everywhere promoting his new book. A book that was held in high acclaim by Stephen Fry so I wouldn't argue with that.
Since he has been on talking about his depression, and episode in hospital in 86, I have found myself respecting the chap when years ago I only had him down as a PM's spin doctor sidekick, purely there for positive propaganda (hey, all party's do it lol).
However, he said something on one of the TV chat shows that struck a chord, I think it was the One Show (I watch it for that Irish lass, so shoot me). He said that the way to recover is to "include yourself", as in "not exclude". I thought this was a pretty important statement.
It got me thinking. When I was suffering at my worst with anxiety, exclusion was something I was a master at. Although I was working, I would plan each part of my day so that my contact with other people was at a minimum. Even meetings felt like I was holding my breath, that all I had to do was rush through these minutes with these other people and then I could "exclude" myself again.
If I ever got visitors, I would count the seconds until they left, not enjoying anyones company, and being locked in converstation would only make me exhausted and riddled with anxious symptoms. Infact I ended up with the nickname Pilot light from my buddies as I would never show up at the pub, meals etc (a pilot light never goes out).
Once I started to get better (Mrs Weekes and exercise) I think my attitude to start including myself played a big part on my near recovery (near, not 100%).
It was that unusual to see my out, that when I did show up at the pub to see the guys after what must have been 3 years, the cheeky beggars took pictures on a mobile phone standing next to me like I was some fish they caught.
One thing I would say about Mr Campbell though, and accepting that he does have public status, is that people should take heart that someone who hit rock bottom (he was arrested in Scotland, 5 days in a private mental ward, then would not live in London or with his family for months due to depression), is that his achievements since his issues prove that even if your are in a bad place, you can come out the otherside and live again.
Hat's off to the fella.
Since he has been on talking about his depression, and episode in hospital in 86, I have found myself respecting the chap when years ago I only had him down as a PM's spin doctor sidekick, purely there for positive propaganda (hey, all party's do it lol).
However, he said something on one of the TV chat shows that struck a chord, I think it was the One Show (I watch it for that Irish lass, so shoot me). He said that the way to recover is to "include yourself", as in "not exclude". I thought this was a pretty important statement.
It got me thinking. When I was suffering at my worst with anxiety, exclusion was something I was a master at. Although I was working, I would plan each part of my day so that my contact with other people was at a minimum. Even meetings felt like I was holding my breath, that all I had to do was rush through these minutes with these other people and then I could "exclude" myself again.
If I ever got visitors, I would count the seconds until they left, not enjoying anyones company, and being locked in converstation would only make me exhausted and riddled with anxious symptoms. Infact I ended up with the nickname Pilot light from my buddies as I would never show up at the pub, meals etc (a pilot light never goes out).
Once I started to get better (Mrs Weekes and exercise) I think my attitude to start including myself played a big part on my near recovery (near, not 100%).
It was that unusual to see my out, that when I did show up at the pub to see the guys after what must have been 3 years, the cheeky beggars took pictures on a mobile phone standing next to me like I was some fish they caught.
One thing I would say about Mr Campbell though, and accepting that he does have public status, is that people should take heart that someone who hit rock bottom (he was arrested in Scotland, 5 days in a private mental ward, then would not live in London or with his family for months due to depression), is that his achievements since his issues prove that even if your are in a bad place, you can come out the otherside and live again.
Hat's off to the fella.