'I was burnt out by the stress'

Csilla Gindorf tells new about coping with Graves' disease and how her mushroom snack business has changed her life for the better

- ALI GRAVES

Csilla Gindorf, 30, from Salisbury, created a "better health" mushroom business in 2022 after experiencing intrusive thoughts when travelling to her toxic fashion job. Suffering from severe burnout, anxiety and stress, her health deteriorated so much it triggered auto-immune disorder Graves' disease. Now she tells us why it's vital to recognise when it's time to "refocus, reset and refresh" your life - for the good of your mental and physical self.

I first came to London to study fashion and I was really excited to get into the industry. I thought it would be all glitz and glamour and fashion shows, but I realised quickly that wasn't the case at all. I was so anxious and remember one day cycling to work and wishing I could have some sort of accident. I wasn't looking to die, but I was looking for a way to not go into the office and to have a break.

I knew these thoughts weren't normal behaviours or ways to feel. Every time I came home my boyfriend would say, "Here comes the bell from hell" when I rang the doorbell because he knew that nine times out of 10 I'd be complaining about how bad my day was.

When I started off in product development things were fine, but then I moved to merchandising and it was all about the numbers and the pressure was intense.

I was still a junior in my role and there was far too much expected of me - far more than I could handle and also far more than I should have been given. Sometimes I'd be working until 3am and then having to turn up for a presentation at 10am the next day.