Iain O’Brien talks of his battle with anxiety and depression 21/01/13

Iain O’Brien talks of his battle with anxiety and depression – 21/01/13 As a continuation of the PCA’s Personal Wellbeing series, Iain O’Brien, ex-Leicestershire CCC, Middlesex CCC and New Zealand, tells of his battle against anxiety and depression throughout his life. Iain commented, “I’ve suffered from anxiety and depression, and its consequences for many years. At times it made my cricketing career extremely hard and also hard for those people around me. I finally plucked up courage to do something about it following the BBC 5live’s programme on depression in 2010. Seeking this help was the best thing I did. I’m not out of the woods, but with the help of medication and learnt techniques, I have got control and balance back into my life” Click here to see Iain’s video Iain’s story follows in the footsteps of Marcus Trescothick, Mike Yardy, Tim Ambrose and Darren Cousins, who have all bravely spoken out in order to raise awareness and education of an illness that will affect 1 in 4 during our lives. Assistant CEO, PCA, Jason Ratcliffe commented, “The PCA is committed to raising education of several wellbeing issues and we’re extremely grateful to these men who’ve been brave enough to talk out, which will, and has resulted in, helping many people within the cricketing family and beyond.” PCA, with the help of its Professional Cricketers’ Trust, has partnered up with Sheldon Press and author of ‘Depressive Illness, Curse of the Strong’ Dr Tim Cantopher. A bespoke ‘4th edition’ copy will be sent to every PCA member * this week. Marcus Trescothick has written the foreword and Tim has edited the book to be tailored at professional cricketers past and present. Dr Tim Cantopher said, ” I have always admired Marcus Trescothick. I’ve never seen the ball take less time to reach the boundary than when he is in form. As stress-induced depressive illness happens to the best people, it is no surprise that he has been a sufferer. His work in helping to produce the Mind Matters tutorials is one of many feathers in Marcus’s cap. I applaud him for taking his own experience of illness and using it to help others, as I have on many occasions applauded his performances on the field. I wish the project every success. I hope this book helps. If you are suffering from or have suffered from depressive illness, you deserve better. You can have it all – health, success and happiness. BBC’s Jeremy Vine said, “If the response to my Radio 2 broadcast is anything to go by, Tim Cantopher is saying something uniquely powerful to people with depression. People affected by depression tell me this is the most powerful and helpful book ever written about the topic. I keep meeting people who say this book changed their lives.” Click here to see the complete Mind Matters Tutorials. Click here for the Confidential Helpline.