My miracle recovery from 30 years of depression and anxiety.

What challenge does this story focus on?

My miraculous recovery from 30 years of depression and anxiety and the rebuilding of my creativity and life. Also on my journey, I have learned that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has helped me to work through depression and anxiety.

How has this challenge affected you?

Brilliantly, mostly. I feel better than I’ve ever felt before. It has enabled my husband and I to travel and create a possibly rich and fulfilling life.

What has or is helping you to move forward with this challenge?

My soulmate husband has been my rock all my married life. He has worked with me through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with his scientific approach.

What have you learnt as a result of this challenge?

That depression and anxiety can be dealt with using the therapy. I’ve learned about the value of the love of family and I’ve learned about calm and true enjoyment of life.

How do you use this learning in your life now?

I’m now aware of emotions and other people and their emotions. I know I must continue to talk about these subjects because not talking – which was very much the case as I grew up – simply allows negative feelings to fester and grow worse.

What positive message would you like the reader to go away with?

I believe that the real problem is finding the right treatment for depression and anxiety, and the right mental health specialists to treat the sufferer. My personal experience was that when I found help, my depression and anxiety were well treated.