Each week we publish blog posts on a whole range of topics, relating in some way to mental health — written by Mind staff, service users and health and policy professionals. Some blog posts may not reflect official Mind policy.
We welcome comments and questions on our posts, but have a few ground rules to keep the site welcoming and interesting to every body. The first rule is the most important: be respectful of other commenters and bloggers.
Paul describes the "whole weather system" of depression and asks whether there's an upside to his experiences.
12 CommentsAgata, who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, tells her story and describes the comfort art has brought to her life.
6 CommentsIlona reviews The Happy Depressive: In Pursuit of Personal and Political Happiness, a new ebook examining the nature of happiness from a personal and political perspective, by Mind ambassador Alastair Campbell.
The same year that I was born, Alastair Campbell had a breakdown. We could well have been in hospital at the exact same time; me facing life for the first time, and him facing up to what his life had become. We both had a lot to learn.
2 CommentsMind member Selina writes about the ups and downs of life in 2011, and looks forward to 2012.
As 2011 drew to a close, I couldn't wait to get off the rollercoaster. It was one hell of a ride. I can't decide if it was the best or worst year of my life.
7 CommentsCharlie Watson tells us why she's running the London marathon in memory of her friend Vic.
On the outside my housemate, Vic, was a good looking, friendly, sporty, outgoing 20 year old university student. However on the inside he was silently battling bipolar disorder.
4 CommentsThe start of a new year is an excellent opportunity for personal growth, learning new things, and breaking bad habits, but it’s an equally good opportunity for self-sabotage.
7 CommentsWhen my children were in primary school we made up a team with some friends and became the ‘Nice But Dims’.
We would alternate between our school quiz and our friends’ children’s school quiz. This went on for all their years through school until they left and the Nice But Dims went into retirement.
Cat writes about the struggle she went through to get a diagnosis of pre menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and how she uses her creativity as an outlet.
Combine the stigma of mental illness with the taboo subject of menstruation and what do you get? - pre menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Only 3-8% of women suffer from this chronic condition which affects every aspect of their lives.
I have had it since I was 13. Every month, without fail I go through a whole cycle of symptoms.
I have days of feeling amazing, happy, positive and loving life! I can think clearly, cope, achieve things and laugh. I remember to pay the bills and am confident enough to leave the house.
A week before my period, I enter a darkness. I can experience any number of the following symptoms; forgetfulness, clumsiness, irritability, panic attacks, anxiety, lethargy, insomnia, dysphoria, breast tenderness, cramps, back pain and tiredness...
I get angry, depressed and frustrated, which can lead to self harm and suicidal thoughts. I cancel social activities and hide away from friends.
I find myself sitting for hours unable to figure out what I should be doing, even the basic tasks can cause frustration and tears. I'm a good mother, but I feel like a failure.
Getting diagnosed aged 27 was the beginning of a long and arduous journey through the health service. Doctors either haven't heard of it, or will tell you it doesn't exist.
Some prefer to call it extreme PMS, and almost all of them will not have a clue about what it is like to suffer or the best way to treat it.
The Psychiatrist says it's hormonal, see a Gynaecologist. The Gynaecologist says it's a mental health issue, go back to the Psychiatrist.
My GP has been supportive and happy to follow up any line of treatment I have requested, but after all these years, there are still no answers or successful treatments, not for me anyway.
Find out more from NAPS and two excellent PDF guides can be found at womensmentalhealth.org and at the British Columbia Reproductive Mental Health Program.
I have lost two thirds of my life to my menstrual cycle. I feel the changes at ovulation and menstruation and experience negative symptoms during both phases. If I'm lucky, I get ten really good 'normal' days a month.
I don't really have a social life. I have to plan my life around my moods and cycle to ensure I can get through each month.
I run a Facebook support group, and talking to other sufferers has really changed how I cope. It feels good to not be alone, the internet is amazing for that.
To keep focused, I draw mandalas and paint, you can find my artwork on my website. I also find writing helps and have blogged about my disorder for many years.
It is a real struggle to keep on explaining to people around me about my disorder. But the more I speak out and the more I talk openly about something others will avoid, the more awareness others will have of this disorder. It's time for women to stop suffering in silence.
Cat
Even sympathetic employers sometimes find it hard to understand mental health problems. This guest blog vividly illustrates some of the barriers to disclosing a mental health problem at work, on the same day Mind and the CIPD release new guidance for employers.
Here’s the thing. I have a complex mental condition. Here’s the other thing. I have worked in a challenging and responsible job since 2002. My caseload includes a number of clients with the same mental health disorder as me.
So when I was assessed and finally diagnosed just 10 months ago, I decided that I would be open and honest with my employers about the nature of my ‘issues’. Given that I had taken considerable time off since 2007, as I struggled with what then was an unknown problem, I believed that this would be the most productive way forward.
17 CommentsI was asked by Mind if I would put together a few words regarding my experience of using their services.
After becoming the victim of rape, I thought I could cope. I tried to carry on with life, with a traditional British stiff upper lip, determined that it would not affect me.
After some months it was clear I was not coping and I had to seek help. The road between finally admitting I needed help, and getting help was a long one, but I did finally get there.
4 CommentsThere’s a question I’ve been thinking about a lot lately and it’s this:
If you could do just one thing to change the world, what would it be?
I’m a mother of two, a musician, a writer. I’m good at making chocolate brownies and hugging my friends, bad at getting accounts done and remembering to water houseplants. Oh and I have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Throughout my life I have experienced huge, recurring mood swings.
5 CommentsTwo weeks after my 23rd birthday my breakdown really hit. I was more confused about my feelings than I ever had been. I would cry at nothing, get angry at anyone who said one word to me and I developed this fascination with throwing full cups of tea at the wall. Needless to say, I ran out of cups fast.
13 CommentsFor contemporary artist Dale Grimshaw, painting has been a lifesaver. Here, he writes about how painful early experiences inform his work.
Readers may find some sections of this blog triggering.
Ally is training to be a clinical psychologist. Here she writes about bringing her own unique experience of mental health problems to her work and of other mental health professionals who have done the same.
15 CommentsIn March my husband, Mark Hanson, killed himself after battling with anxiety and depression for 13 years. I knew about his illness, but I was one of the few, the only others being the doctors and counsellors Mark had seen.
3 Comments