A Leeds man who was sectioned, homeless and depressed spent several years wondering why he was "different", until he found art and music to save him.
Bobby Eddison, who lives in Bramley, worked as an engineer for 20 years in the city before a "toxic" relationship left his mental health "spiralling". The dad-of-two suffered with depression for six years and was sectioned for 12 weeks in hospital.
"I lost my job, and my house, and some days I didn't event want to brush my teeth or get a bath," Bobby said. When has finally diagnosed with ADHD and told he was bipolar at the age of 42, things changed for the better. Bobby said: "I always knew I was a bit different and I knew I got frustrated and overreacted. Now I am comfortable with my self, open, and happy."
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Bobby, who is self-employed, said: "When I was depressed I didn't do anything looking back now. I think I thought I had gotten over it but I was still in it.
"When I was diagnosed with ADHD and told I was bipolar everything changed. When I was at the Crypt in Leeds there was a music and arts area but I bet in 12 weeks I only went in it once.
"Now music and art are the key for me. I found art last year and when I was in hospital I would play guitar on the ward." Bobby, who describes himself as "quite a character", began drawing pictures of people's pets and writing his own music and shared his creative work on social media.
He said: "I am self taught in both guitar/singing and art, both I started in later life. I have social anxiety so never perform in public, I just do covers for friends. Recently I’ve been writing songs for friends who have had sons and brothers lose their lives because of mental health."
The 43-year-old, who is nicknamed 'Bobby The Bard', went viral after his artwork of Leeds Rhinos icon Rob Burrows recently completely the Rob Burrows Marathon. Bobby said: "I recently finished this drawing and it’s getting a lot of attention. I am selling prints of it and all the money is going to the MND Association. I am not doing this for money it is my passion."
Bobby says he has been inundated with offers to buy his prints, and gets daily messages from friends, and those who follow him, to draw artwork for them. "People say I am talented but I say I am passionately curious. I draw from the heart," he added.
Over seven years he has built up his profile, and now he helps encourage others to speak out about their mental health struggles, as well as offering advice based on his own experiences. Bobby says "you don't have to have talent" to start enjoying art and music as an escape.
He said: "Now I am very open and honest because spreading awareness it important. I am now content and have a lot of likeminded people in my life."
"I’m in a very good place and can say with honesty and pride that I devote my time to helping others." To check out Bobby's social media page, click here.
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