Dave Kitson: Former Reading, Stoke and Portsmouth striker opens up about his battle with depression

Dave Kitson: Former Reading, Stoke and Portsmouth striker opens up about his battle with depression
Dave Kitson has lifted the lid on how he’s been battling depression for years.The former Stoke, Reading and Portsmouth striker played in the Premier League for all three clubs and revealed he was going through the worst of it at Pompey.6

Kitson said some of his displays in a Portsmouth shirt were one of a “pale imitation of a footballer”.

However, he was unable to take time off immediately as the south coast club were in administration and looking for reasons to terminate the contract of any player.Writing in his column for The Sun, Kitson said: “I have been fighting my own battle for years. As I climbed the leagues I found I took on more wealth and fame but all the time I was painting myself into a corner.“As things got bigger, the space I had to move became smaller until I felt it choking me.“Depression is cruel. At certain moments it has rendered me helpless. “There were times playing for Portsmouth when I shouldnt have been anywhere near the training ground, let alone the pitch. But at the time theclub was in administration and the owners were desperately trying to find ways to sack players for breach of contract, so not turning up wasnt an option. It was a torturous spiral for everybody.“What I produced on the pitch was a pale imitation of a footballer and a classic example of a man with clinical depression.“I do not blame the fans for screaming at me from the stands but there were so many times that I wanted to scream back at them: ‘You dont understand!’6

Kitson was unable to address his mental health issues immediately due to Portsmouth’s dire financial situation at the time

“They didnt know what the problem was and I wasnt about to offer up what Im sure many would have considered a pathetic excuse from a grown man playing pro football.“At home I couldnt move from the sofa, the TV wasnt on and I didnt eat. I just stared out of the window.“I was non-functioning and hopelessly lost and eventually the illness convinced my brain the best thing for everybody concerned would be if I found a way to put an end to it all.“I was officially diagnosed at Portsmouth by a fantastic doctor called Greg Warner, after Id deliberately driven my car into the concrete pillar of a bridge.6

Kitson’s decision to open up was partly-inspired by hearing ex-Portsmouth team-mate David Cotterill’s story

“Today, I survive on a cocktail of medication and regular visits to a psychiatrist.”Depression is an illness that is affecting more and more footballers, including Kitson’s ex-Portsmouth team-mate David Cotterill.Kitson added that it was Cotterill’s decision to open up that helped inspire him to do the same.He added: “Im still here and thankfully a lot of the depression that came from knowing that I can never play professional football again has given way to a new chapter in my life.6

Kitson in action for Stoke in 2009

“Im new to punditry and writing columns and, as such, Ive found that I regularly come in for criticism from ex-players and managers from a bygone era who believe I have gone against some kind of prehistoric code of silence by talking about what really happens within the game. And in particular, what happens inside the changing rooms.“But look at where that code has brought us.“The idea that what happens in the changing room stays in the changing room is a recipe for a lonely existence that ultimately leads to depression and, in the worst cases, death.6

Ex-Burnley captain Clarke Carlisle has gone public about his ongoing battle with depression

A third of ex-players suffer from mental illness with that number predicted to soar, while German goalkeeper Robert Enke took his own life in November 2009.Former Burnley captain Clarke Carlisle has tried to kill himself on multiple occasions, having previously spoken about his battle with depression.Kitson added: “Clearly, the pressure of professional football is a major problem for an ever-increasing number of players.“Its a real illness and it doesnt discriminate based on the job you do or the wealth you have.6

Former Hannover 96 keeper Robert Enke committed suicide in 2009 after struggling to cope with the death of his daughter

“So the question is not: ‘What have you footballers got to be depressed about?’“The question is: ‘Why are these players trying to kill themselves?'”If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, these organisations will provide support . . . CALMwww.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585858 HEADS TOGETHERwww.headstogether.org.ukMINDwww.mind.org.uk, 0300 1233393 PAPYRUSwww.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 0684141 SAMARITANSwww.samaritans.org116123

---

Sonam Kapoor is marrying her long-time beau Anand Ahuja on May 8, after years of dating each other. Sonam Kapoor's Wedding: Sanjay Kapoor Posts an Adorable Throwback Picture of Him Dancing With His Then Teenage Niece.
Falcao shares young Manchester United fan's picture of him

---

Dean Henderson has been one of many star performers Sheffield United this season. The goalkeeper, who is on loan from Manchester United, has kept the most clean sheets this season (20) and has
Dean Henderson: What those in the know say Manchester United

---

Bernardo Silva hands his Man of the Match award to game-winner Phil Foden in classy gesture. Bernardo Silva hands his Man of the Match award to game-winner Phil Foden
Bernardo Silva gives man of the match award to Man City team

---

Officials slated on social media over Burnley and Tottenham goals - Burnley 2-Tottenham 1 Burnley hosted Tottenham in Saturday's early kick-off. Burnley were undefeated in their last five league games heading into the - February 23rd, 2019
Officials slated on social media over Burnley and Tottenham goals

---

Manchester City completed the first ever domestic treble in English football in emphatic fashion by dispatching Watford 6-0 at Wembley to claim the FA Cup on Saturday. Raheem Sterling scored a.. Mid-Day - Published 3 weeks ago Also reported by •The News Articles Videos for Ederson
NewsNow: Ignacio Scocco news | Breaking News 24/7

---

Cech spent 11 trophy-laden years at Stamford Bridge, including winning both the Champions League and Europa League, before moving to Arsenal in 2015. Read More. When is the 2019 Europa League final date, kick-off time and venue? Arsenal and Chelsea odds
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Unai Emery will commit 'sackable offence

---

Virgil van Dijk hands Liverpool boost ahead of Leicester clash by returning to training after illness. Jurgen Klopp hopeful of having Virgil van Dijk fit to face Leicester on Wednesday
Virgil van Dijk injury: Why Liverpool defender is a doubt for

---

Darren Ferguson insists the chance to manage Peterborough United for the third time came right out of the blue. Ferguson replaced Steve Evans as Posh boss on Saturday (January 26) in a move that
Steve Evans (footballer, born 1962) - Wikipedia

---

Breaking: Bayern Munich's Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, and Thomas Muller all axed by Germany New, 281 comments After the unsuccessful World Cup campaign was followed up by dreadful UEFA Nations League results, Joachim Löw has decided to leave out the Bayern Munich trio.
Thomas Mueller, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng axed by

---

'Vincent Kompany over Virgil van Dijk seven days a week' - Man City captain hailed as superior to Liverpool rival after stunning strike. not his Liverpool rival Virgil van Dijk, who has
Vincent Kompany over Virgil van Dijk seven days a week' - Man

---

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho visited Belgium during the international break to gain an understanding into Romelu Lukaku's poor form. The Belgian striker has not scored in 10 games for United, but has netted five times in his last four appearances for his country.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho flies to Belgium to
hollywoodadviser.com/manchester-united-boss-jose-mourinho-flies-to-belgium-to-understand-romelu-lukakus-worrying-form/
ROM'S STRUGGLES The Belgian striker hasn't scored for United in 10 games Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho visited Belgium during the international break to gain an understanding into Romelu Lukaku's poor form. The Belgian striker has not scored in 10 games for United, but has netted five times in his last four appearances for his country.
Jose Mourinho pays a visit to Belgium in search for answers

---

Dominic Solanke has said Jadon Sancho's success with Borussia Dortmund has proven an inspiration for many young English players. Sancho left Manchester City in 2017 in search of a better chance at first-team opportunities and found it at Dortmund, a club known for playing young talents.

---

manchester united chelsea premier league live streaming
telangana premier league live streaming
watch premier league live streaming online free
sky sports champions league live streaming
uefa champions league live streaming barcelona vs psg
champions league live stream koora
champions league final live streaming ten sports
premier league live streaming sites
premier league live audio streaming
liverpool vs bayern champions league live streaming
champions league live streaming sites
football live streaming in india
barcelona vs liverpool champions league live streaming
champions league live streaming ronaldo 7
english premier league live streaming totalsportek
premier league live stream chromecast
live premier league live streaming
live streaming bein sport 3 premier league hd
champions league live stream juventus vs barcelona
football live streaming mobile app
champions league live streaming switzerland
football live streaming barcelona
afc champions league live streaming
premier league live stream vpn
uefa champions league live streaming hotstar
champions league live streaming uae
live streaming champions league group stage draw
free live premier league football streaming online
champions league round of 16 draw live streaming
champions league draw live streaming youtube
live streaming premier league hari ini
champions league watch live canada
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
bangladesh premier league live streaming gazi tv
paok aek basket champions league live streaming
champions league live stream kostenlos ru
psg champions league live streaming
global champions league live stream
tamil nadu premier league 2018 live streaming
t20 champions league live streaming
champions league semi final live streaming
mangalore premier league live streaming
darts premier league live streaming
uefa champions league group stage draw 2018 19 live streaming
football live streaming mamahd
uefa champions league live streaming ten sports
premier league live stream chelsea crystal palace
football live streaming for iphone
premier league live streaming sportek
premier league live streaming xbox one
watch uefa champions league live streaming sportek
pakistan premier league live streaming 2018
champions league live streaming barcelona
champions league live streaming sky sports
sony liv champions league live streaming
champions league live streaming barcelona vs manchester united
premier league live stream cr7
live streaming of champions league quarter final draw
champions league live stream sbs
live bangladesh premier league live streaming
football live streaming tvronaldo.com
premier league live streaming sopcast
liverpool vs barcelona champions league live streaming
fox sports uefa champions league live streaming
football live stream english commentary
champions league live stream kostenlos heute zdf
premier league live stream manchester united vs southampton
premier league games live stream online free
liverpool psg champions league live streaming
live streaming video football afc asian champions league
barclays premier league live streaming online free
caribbean premier league live streaming 2018
champions league live streaming gratuit
match premier league live streaming
premier league live stream free app
uefa champions league barcelona vs liverpool live streaming
champions league live streaming free english
football live streaming sites in uae
premier league live stream neo
champions league live stream juventus vs tottenham
premier league live streaming indonesia
champions league live streaming bt sport
live champions league live streaming
#Messi #Chelsea #Ronaldo #fcbarcelona #goals #futbol #nike #bundesliga #hakimziyech #amrabat #sanchez #ChampionsLeague #Ajax #england #foxsports #Futbol #Manchesterunited #footballmemes #barcelona #zinedinezidane #championsleague #Instagood #ronaldo #manutd #toronto #ucl #ajaxamsterdam #Bale #tottenham #laliga #deporte #sports #united #RealMadrid #beinsportsusa #liverpool #433 #footy #meme #juventus #pickering #pogba #manchesterunited #skysports #navas #oshawa #CristianoRonaldo #halamadrid #UCL #likeforlike #manchestercity #messi #ajax #telemundodeportes #BayernMunchen #realmadrid #Mancity #futbolmexicano #soccer #likeforlikes #degea #Cr7 #premierleague #LeoMessi