Classroom teacher Alan Vickers began to realise he was suffering from stress when he became dizzy and slid off his chair in school.
The North Warwickshire teacher was in a staff meeting when the early warning sign happened two years ago.
His wife, also a teacher, had noticed that he was on edge. “She pointed out that I was getting ratty with people and that I was not my usual easy-going self.
“The hardest part was realising there was something wrong with me and that something had to be done about it.”
Alan, 48, who has been a teacher for 26 years, sought help from his doctor who put him on anti-depressants.
Since then the father-of-one has had to take several weeks at a time off work - totalling about a term and a half altogether on full pay.
“It was not the pressure in the classroom that was the problem as I love the kids, the parents and the work. It was the pressure of the paperwork and edicts from the Government and OFSTED. I was coming into school every Sunday to catch up.”
Alan also sought the advice from Teacherline, which he praised for its effectiveness. He is now coping with life better and still working at his school.
