"Running saved me from suicidal thoughts": a Briton with a clinical form of depression RAN away from problems

Briton Kieron Focher suffered from depression and panic attacks for a long time, it came to several suicide attempts. Pills didn't help, therapy didn't help either, and then he decided that running would help him get out of the pit of mental disorders.

Two years ago, Kieron decided that it was simply impossible to continue living in captivity of constant depression, and became interested in marathons. He himself says that running cannot be considered a panacea for mental disorders, but this practice helped him.

Running saved Kieron from anxiety, depression and panic attacks, which he had suffered from since childhood. In adulthood, the problems did not go away and even worsened. One day, Kieron was covered with such a strong panic attack that he lay on the bed for two days and could not move.

The Briton hit rock bottom in 2016 — that year he made three suicide attempts. At that moment, Kieron realized that something needed to be done urgently. He went to the doctor, but at the reception he just sat and cried.

On the first day, Kieron ran 5 kilometers, but he did not feel any changes in his condition. The Briton decided not to give up and continued training, soon he signed up for a 10-kilometer marathon. It was during the preparation for the race that Kieron felt the first signs of peace.

He realized that running makes him feel better, depression goes away. Then Kieron began to prepare for a distance of 100 kilometers.

So a year passed. Kieron's condition no longer caused concern, and he decided to organize a RIOT club (Running Is Our Therapy, "Running Is our therapy"). People with depression and other mental disorders join it to get rid of hateful symptoms.

Kieron's illness has not gone away forever, he still has strong attacks of negative thoughts, but you can fight them. Now his condition is under control.