I've wanted to write a book for years. More specifically, I've wanted to write a book about my experiences of mental illness. So about five years ago, I started putting together a memoir, of everything I've been through living with Bipolar disorder. When it was finished, I sent it to a few publishers....but it wasn't [...]
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How to Help Someone with Bipolar Disorder
I've had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder since 2012. It's been a rough journey and I'm still learning more about the condition, even now. My loved ones have been on the ride along with me, and we've had to learn together how they can best support me. I've put together what I believe helps - [...]
How To Help A Friend With Depression
Depression is common, but it's also common for people to freak out and not know how to support a friend. Below, I've listed a few ways in which you can help a friend with depression. Listen Listening, real, active listening, can be your superpower. Hearing what someone has told you means you can then validate [...]
How To Sensitively Talk To Someone Having Suicidal Thoughts
It can feel incredibly tough to talk to someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts, but it's so important to have these conversations. We often worry about making the situation worse if we talk about it, but actually, we could just end up alienating that person by not talking about it. Language is a powerful tool, [...]
Stop Romanticising Mental Illness
Mental illness should never be something to aspire to. Making it seem cute, romantic, or beautiful distorts what it actually is; scary, lonely and ugly. When I see someone in the public eye talk about how an illness is beautiful, or whatever other positive word they want to use, it cultivates the idea that mental [...]
Managing Sleep
I know a ton of us, especially right now when we're under lockdown, are struggling to get a good night's kip. How can a lack of sleep affect us? I'll also look at some tips and advice that have helped me along the way. Why is sleep so important? Sleep refreshes us, it keeps us [...]
Bipolar Myths Debunked
People with Bipolar disorder are just moody There's an idea that bipolar disorder is just mood swings - something everybody has, so isn't a big deal. It is though, very different from everyday mood changes. The highs and lows are extreme and can feel like they come out of the blue, or there is no [...]
Journaling for Mental Health
Writing and journaling is a cathartic, therapeutic experience. I started a journal when I was first diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. It helped me accept the illness, and work through the ups and downs of living with mental illness. It gave me a better understanding of myself, and encouraged me to be proactive and find coping [...]
We’re being told to ‘reach out’, but what does this mean, and how do we do it?
When you live with mental illness you're often told to 'reach out' for support. But how do you actually do this? I'm a mental health writer and advocate, and often find myself telling people to 'reach out' when they're struggling. I stress how honesty and openness is important, that you can't move forward without sharing [...]
No, that person you disagree with isn’t delusional
As someone that experiences actual delusional thinking, it's difficult to hear people using the word to describe someone they disagree with. By using this term all you're doing is insinuating our symptoms are synonymous with badness. I live with Bipolar disorder, with psychotic symptoms. When I have an episode of bipolar mania, I might become delusional. [...]
