topic What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement? in Staying well

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

MarkJT — Sun, 07 May 2017 21:59:13 GMT

Was watching, "The Voice" last night and there was a young lass who didn't leave the house for two years because of panic attacks, how here she is on National TV singing in front of four judges.

I sat back and thought that even if no one turns around and picks her, she has already won - what a brilliant achievement that was.

What is your biggest achievement?

Mine is overcoming PTSD and functioning quite well but the mental health conditions aside, I would have to say completing my first marathon. A pure punishment of the mind and body and I completed this in the early days of my recovery when i was quite wounded and struggling.

To be able to push myself to complete it gave me a massive burst of confidence that I can overcome the PTSD beast and get on with life.

Mark

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

Guest_128 — Mon, 08 May 2017 09:25:21 GMT

Hi, what a positive wonderful story,thank you.

I will think on it.🤔

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

white knight — Mon, 08 May 2017 11:03:26 GMT

Hi Markjt

Well my employment life was mainly law enforcement but not policing.

So for years in the RAAF, Prison officer and investigations I landed a bylaws job close to home at a Shire. Great!

Two years later I hit a major hurdle, I was told to favour a local politician in his habitual routine of parking his large white government vehicle in a one hour zone or even a fisabled parking space. In other words "turn a blind eye".

The fact that my background of which I was proud meant I never discriminated and never bowed to corruption, hurt a lot.

I made a stand. I was to continue issuing fines regardless. Then as I argued with my boss pains in the chest came. The initial diagnosis was heart attack. I was ordeted off work. Three months later I was rediagnosed with panic attack.

I fought that Shire every step of the way for 10 months but still lost my job aussie kangaroo court style. But I cared not. The principle was more important.

It defined my moral boundaries, taught me how to stand tall and how to say "NO".

It also pit me on the path with mental illness issue in that it accelerated my symptoms of depression and bipolar2 that were lying in waiting.

Fighting a large organisation for a few dollars in fines...my biggest non mental health achievement.

Ps that politician stopped parking in the area...and the disabled zone was left for those it was meant for.

Tony WK

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

Quercus — Mon, 08 May 2017 11:11:11 GMT

Go Tony! That is an awesome story!

Mark this is a great thread idea! And kudos to you for running a marathon (I think a run down the street is worth a high five haha).

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

MsPurple — Mon, 08 May 2017 11:23:57 GMT

Awesome idea for a post

While I was in my final year of my masters degree I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Until know when I can self reflect I can actually see how unwell I really was. I struggled for ages but I was on the edge at that time probably at my worse. I somehow completed my research project and clinical placement during the worst part of my GAD. I am proud that was able to complete my Masters degree considering the timing and circumstances.

Another proud achievement I recently have done was me completing my first triathalon. It wasn't a full olympic length (about half) but it was still an achievement.

It shows how strong people can be when their mental illness is at its worst and when you have overcome it

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

MarkJT — Mon, 08 May 2017 23:41:45 GMT

9 Names Later: You're welcome. Always try to find a positive out of any negative.

Tony: Outstanding. There are many things in life that we cannot control but we can control our own ethics. That is so good to hear that you stood by yours. Corruption is so massively damaging and when people like you stand up to that, brilliant.

Quercus:
Agree 100%. Brilliant story from Tony.

McPurple: I wonder how much you can achieve now that you are aware of your GAD, being treated and are going pretty well? To be able to get through and complete the Masters whilst pretty sick, brilliant effort.

Doesn't matter that it wasn't an Olympic distance event, not at all - the sheer fact that you completed it, massive tick. You have done what the majority of Australian's have not and that is something to be proud of. Well done mate.

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

Guest_128 — Tue, 09 May 2017 02:43:40 GMT

The biggest bestest achievement that sticks to my soul is,

being given the opportunity to nurse my best friend for 3yrs with terminal cancer. Making mountains move to get things done for her and her family. Knowing that I was comforting truly honest and making her laugh every day.

my bestie left her husband,3 young girls,and me. Nearly 3yrs ago , she was 40.

I miss her soooo much.

I am so proud of myself(f that was hard)

I gave all I had and would do it all again.

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

MarkJT — Tue, 09 May 2017 09:26:33 GMT

9 names later: Wow, just wow. One of the best posts ever. What you did, for someone in the later stages of their life, amazing. Clearly that would have been a very difficult and traumatic time for you but you set that aside to make sure that your besty had a smile on her face. Just so brilliant by you.

Please do make it hard to be proud of yourself, you deserve it and then some. There would be a decent amount of people who would not have done what you did but you didn't. Massively well done.

Thank you so much for that post.

Mark.

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

blondguy — Tue, 09 May 2017 12:45:38 GMT

Hi Mark

Besides mental health achievements.....ummm...Being promoted quickly in any career move I have made
I pulled a guy out of his burning car that hit a pole and he was okay afterwards
Giving a TOG officer (Highway Patrol) a lift in my GT Falcon after his XD351 Interceptor broke down on his way to a bad domestic in progress at 2am in the morning

(Excuse I for interrupting your thread Mark)

9 names later.....What a great post and achievement....You really have done so well....That takes huge strength

9 names later said "being given the opportunity to nurse my best friend for 3yrs with
terminal cancer. Making mountains move to get things done for her and
her family. Knowing that I was comforting truly honest and making her
laugh every day"

Another great post Mark!

Paul

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

white knight — Tue, 09 May 2017 13:29:41 GMT

9 namrs layer...well done. Be proud

Paul, good stuff. I dont suppose you sped while the cop was next to you?

Tony WK

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

blondguy — Tue, 09 May 2017 14:21:35 GMT

Excuse me again please Markjt 🙂

TonyWK....the TOG Officer told me to...he was wearing the leathers from 37 years ago, Mad Max was just released on the big screen.....I just said okay..no worries at all!... Thankyou TonyWK

Paul

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

MarkJT — Tue, 09 May 2017 22:19:24 GMT

Paul: XD351....when cars where cars! but more importantly pulling a dude out of the car when on fire, huge effort! Well done.

Mark.

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

geoff — Tue, 09 May 2017 22:37:24 GMT

hi Mark, there are so many great stories that have been mentioned and each one deserves so much accreditation, 'to pull a guy out of his burning car', to 'to nurse my best friend for 3yrs with terminal cancer', to 'completed my research project, during the worst part of my GAD', 'overcoming PTSD and functioning quite well', to 'Fighting a large organisation', well I'm only highlighting these fabulous stories, and so they should be.
For me was being Captain of Victoria for under 21's in rugby, and in this period of time I was feeling well, invigorated and was dating my first ever love, completely unaware of what laid ahead. Geoff.

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

Fiasco — Tue, 09 May 2017 22:45:19 GMT

My best achievement is my kids. After so much loss and heartache and medical procedures, they are the best things that have ever happened.

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

Guest_128 — Tue, 09 May 2017 23:50:06 GMT

Hey Geoff,

dont know your story but just wanted to say,,,

HOw truly lucky you have been to be touched by real love.

when people die for whatever reason,the first thing I think is ; oh I hope they experienced love with someone.

and as for being captain for anything. PASS

Have a nice day

later

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

geoff — Wed, 10 May 2017 02:06:12 GMT

hello 9 names later, I really appreciate your reply, because it means so much to me and maybe this could be an unhidden appreciation that we all hide and keep to ourselves and not let anyone know about, maybe because depression causes us to be shy.
My first true love was who I married and were married for 25 years, but when depression comes on board everything changes.
Thank you for your lovely comment. Geoff.

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

Quercus — Wed, 10 May 2017 02:55:21 GMT

This thread is lovely. Every achievement on here is equally as important I think.

I was thinking along the line as Fiasco about my kids being my achievements but to be honest there is one thing that changed and continues to change my entire life.

I learnt to drive and got my licence. I was 23. It was massive for me. The anxiety about it was enormous. It took me years to even drive down to my local shop. Now I am free. I am comfortable to drive my kids and myself wherever I want to whenever I want to. I have freedom and choice. I am happy that my daughter especially doesn't see me as dependant on others.

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

MarkJT — Wed, 10 May 2017 03:02:30 GMT

Fiasco: You sound as if you have been through a whole lot in your life so to be blessed with your kids, brilliant.

They will no doubt bring you a heap of great memories for the years to come!

Mark.

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

MarkJT — Wed, 10 May 2017 03:04:09 GMT

Quercus: That is a huge achievement. To be able to overcome your anxiety and get your license and now feel comfortable doing it, such a great achievement.

Yes the freedom that a license brings is immense and I would think that you are making full use of that freedom!

Mark.

What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

Fiasco — Wed, 10 May 2017 03:41:40 GMT

Same!!!! My mum never learned to drive, and I didn't want to be like her lol. As a kid I felt she used her issues as an excuse (as an adult I know better!). Anyway, I too learned late and only with my husband's patience. And I'm so glad. But I used to be unable to sleep the night before I had to drive anywhere because I was so anxious and felt sick with worry. I still freak out if it's somewhere I'm not familiar with or the city, but thankfully my phone gps makes it sooooll much easier than when I first moved here from the country and used to call my husband hysterically lol