Make a Plan. Before an episode of mania starts, make a plan together. First off, they'll be more receptive to your ideas. They'll be more in control and be able to look objectively at previous episodes of mania. Decide together what will help them, and what support and help they want when they are seriously [...]
I've listed on the blog before about what not to say to someone with psychosis, and although that's important, I realised I didn't go into much detail about what helps. As I've mentioned before, psychosis covers experiences from hearing, seeing, or feeling things that aren't really there, and delusions. Delusional thinking causes us to believe [...]
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, 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 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 [...]
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, OCD BPD? These are terms that still make people feel uncomfortable and on edge. People still believe that [...]
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 [...]
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 life. [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
