Follow Patrick's recovery story as he is diagnosed with depression before receiving treatment at the Priory Hospital Altrincham.
"It was causing me difficulties at work and in my relationships at work"
I started to have some issues at work with fatigue. I was having issues where I was falling asleep in the day for no reason at all. Even when I wasn't tired. It was causing me difficulties at work and in my relationships at work. I ended up having disciplinary action taken against me at work, which created friction at home.
I went to my GP who gave me a diagnosis of depression, which was confirmed by the psychiatrist.
"It's such a relaxed atmosphere. I'm well looked after"
I've just become quite settled. I've started to look at myself. They've given me plenty to think about. It's such a relaxed atmosphere. I'm well looked after. There is nothing I need. I'm fed well, I'm relaxed. I have plenty of downtime. The mix is just right.
It's a different kind of tiredness I feel now. I'm mentally tired instead of physically tired, which is new to me but I get enough time to recover from that. There's a nice social aspect. There's plenty to keep you amused. So I am quite settled.
"You're doing something about yourself, but in a relaxed and timed way"
My hopes for the future are that I'll be able to handle myself. I'll know what's wrong with me. It's not that I'm looking for any particular label, but I'd like to know what I can do about it in future. To recognise those symptoms again should they occur. And to gain a better understanding of who I am, where I am and where I'm going.