Hi Ben, hi Fran,
I have been a long time sufferer of depression/anxiety/OCD/bipolar which, I believe started from childhood trauma (sexual, emotional, physical abuse followed by subsequent drug usage). I used to be very active until I was run over by a car and had both ankles shattered 7 years ago, which as you can imagine brought about further bouts of depression at not being able to get out, not being able to be out and about, not being able to do stuff and go places with my kids and wife, and anxiety at how people would view me. I was told I'd never walk again by doctors, and believed it for a while, sinking into depths of darkness, but, being a person who would always up and leave, walk the streets etc to escape from problems, thought stuff that and proved them wrong.
Hydro-therapy was recommended to me by a psychic around that time, and I did try to give it a go by going to the beach, but trying to navigate soft sand is just too physically painful, and mentally draining, it still is to this day.
I haven't tried a swimming center yet though, nor a gym, mainly because my anxiety and perception of myself has prohibited me from taking that step. I do go for a walk every lunch time, not a long walk, but afterwards am always in a slightly better frame of mind for a while. I will keep attempting to go though, your stories make me want to go for a swim, or do a serious workout and let everything get out of my head, at least for a while....
