I wake up to my alarm ringing and the cat sitting on my head. I look across and my husband is still blissfully asleep. It’s six o’clock. It’s freezing. It’s dark, and I have to be at work in an hour. It takes me twenty minutes to walk, or I can take the rammed packed […]
Impatience And Bipolar
Impatience, real impatience: Jumping up and down Stamping my feet shouting, “I need to know NOW” There’s something about having bipolar that makes me impatient. When I’m depressed or manic, I need things to happen right now. For instance, at the moment, I’m waiting for three significant pieces of news. I’m beyond over waiting to hear […]
Ten Years Of Mental Illness
Ten years ago I was a whirlwind of extreme moods, constantly battling against each other. I would suffer from severe depression, which decimated my sense of self worth. I was constantly signed off ill from work, and my career suffered because of it. I always felt exhausted and for a twenty three year old that […]
Those of us with severe mental illness are here and should be visible in the mental health conversation
Self care, wellbeing, mindfulness, depression, anxiety. All words the general public are accustomed to hearing. They are part of the mental health conversation and have become integral to increasing understanding of mental illness. What about psychosis, schizophrenia, PTSD? These are terms that still make people feel uncomfortable and on edge. People still believe that if you […]
Mind Media Awards 2018 – Shortlisted, ME?!
Last night I was checking my emails and a message popped up. It said ‘Mind Media Award Shortlist’ I was fully expecting a resounding, “Thank you, but unfortunately..” response, which is pretty much the story of my life. Then I clicked in and it said, “Congratulations!” I screamed out loud. Jumped up and down in […]
Where to Start Talking About Mental Health
Starting the conversation about mental health can feel overwhelming; but it doesn’t have to be. Someone struggling may need the smallest gesture to pull them through. You have the tools to save someone’s life, even if you don’t realise it. Here are a few things that you can do to help someone in your […]
Guest Post: How I Became an Alcoholic at 14 – by Charlotte Underwood
In this guest blog, Charlotte describes her experiences of alcoholism as a young person and how there is hope and a way to overcome. When you think about an alcoholic, many may think of an adult who is either out partying every night or drinking home alone after work and passing out on the sofa. […]
Childhood Grief
I met Vicky when we were in Reception class, at just four years old. I remember walking up to her and saying innocently, “Do you want to be my friend?” We became inseparable. We did everything together in and out of school. I was the tomboy who hated wearing dresses and pulled ugly faces in […]
Am I a burden?
Every time I go through a difficult period of depression this question plagues my mind; am I a burden? Many of us who live with mental illness struggle with feelings of guilt. It seems to be intrinsically linked to how we perceive ourselves and it stalks our daily lives. Often I feel like I […]
Hearing Voices During A Manic Episode
I have written on the blog before about depression and hearing voices, but never in detail about how I hear voices during periods of mania. During mania, the voices can be comforting. I have many ideas racing through my head during a manic phase and the voices I hear add to the jumble. They give […]