A young man was found dead within months of developing an insomnia struggle on holiday that spiralled into a mental health crisis.
David Marsden, 22, tragically suffered a 'breakdown' after several nights without sleep on a family holiday set off months of torment, Stockport Coroner's Court heard.
He had been pursuing his career as a medical lab assistant at Stepping Hill Hospital in Manchester when the problems started.
The lack of sleep sent his anxiety levels soaring and triggered a frightening depression that saw him treated at an inpatient at the hospital where he worked, it was said.
The NHS worker had suffered a bout of insomnia once before and kept a regimented lifestyle with plenty of exercise and healthy food so as not to fall back into the same pattern.
But in June 2019, David's life changed when he along with his close loved ones took a summer holiday trip to Jamaica, Manchester Evening News reports.
The holiday was hoped to be a happy memory for the group but soon turned into a nightmare.
David, who was sharing a room with his mother, said he was being kept awake by his mum’s ‘ snoring ’, the court heard.
After a number of nights of disrupted sleep, David’s mum says he appeared to have a ‘breakdown’ and decided to cut his holiday short.
He flew home helping to get back into his routine but the insomnia persisted and he began only getting one or two hours sleep a night.
David stopped going to the gym, his appetite plummeted and he was signed off from work.
Eventually, David became ‘manic’ and suicidal, pacing around the house and crying, the court was told.
His mum Fiona said: "David would be on the floor, clutching my knees, begging me to help him kill himself."
David was hospitalised numerous times and put on a course of medication before being allowed a week at home with his mum.
Then, on the morning of November 21, Fiona tragically found her son lying dead on the sofa.
Ahead of the hearing, mum Fiona paid tribute to her tragic son, who she says had no history of mental health problems and appeared happy and content to his family: “David was a kind-hearted, caring and beautiful person who was always there for others.
“He helped many through their struggles including friends and family. He always knew the right thing to say to lift people up.
“He didn't have a bad bone in his body and saw the goodness in everyone and everything.
“He did extremely well in school and his job and enjoyed going to the gym and spending time with family and friends.
“I don’t think anybody ever saw this coming. He was so good at helping others through their struggles you would never guess he would have ended up struggling himself".
The inquest continues.
If you are thinking about suicide, you are not alone. For help and support call Samaritans on 116123 or Papyrus Hopeline on 0800 068 4141.
