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Stress can be debilitating. Over the years it crept up on me, little by little and imperceptibly. Eventually, I felt claustrophobic and began to shed responsibilities. I sold off property and no longer kept staff. I did not want to have to worry about them.

Listening to other people talking for longer than a minute or so tired me. I stopped concentrating and eventually lost the thread of the conversation. It was unpleasant. Friends began avoiding me.

My body started to ache everywhere and my face particularly. Dull headaches and a low key nausea were the order of the day.

Working too became a problem. I could only concentrate on one task at a time. I was inflexible and slow to perform my duties. Believe me, I was not taking it easy. While all this was happening I was driving myself like never before. I was physically and mentally so exhausted at day's end that I had to get onto my bed and sleep immediately.

The months passed with me eating, sleeping and working and nothing else. I was in a limbo. Tired, unable to concentrate, lacking energy and apathetic, I looked forward to crashing out and sleeping as often as I could.

My memory was short and, I was unable to retain information. Then sleeplessness set in and after a few hours I was wide awake and my thoughts racing until dawn.

By the time I had it diagnosed as a stress related depression, it was time to go onto medication. This was traumatic as the tablets had side effects. I felt lightheaded and my body as stiff and heavy as if I was a putrefied mummy.

Eventually I realized that if something drastic did not happen to help me out of it I would be unable to work or carry on my life.

I was advised to walk. It was with an almighty effort that I dragged myself outdoors, decked out in my walking shoes and shorts. I did not make it very far and had to return, exhausted and demoralized. However, I tried again the next day and was able to sustain it.

I had to force myself to read. My mind could not absorb more than a page or two at a time. I had to battle with myself to maintain my concentration. It did improve but with huge effort on my part.

I involved myself in my hobbies for the first time in many years. I hauled out my stamp collection and pottered around with it. I fetched out my autograph collection and went through that. I sorted out photographs from the past.

To help my body I began to drink fluids. I really struggled to drink eight glasses of liquid a day needed to keep your system healthy.

Meals had to change and

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