Life with borderline personality disorder, complex anxiety disorder, and depersonalisation disorder.
(I'll admit that these aren't the most creative of designs, but I wanted to avoid plagiarising someone else's work). Since sinking further into the depths of mental illness 7 years ago, I have come to rely on the use of mantras as a coping mechanism, a distraction technique. It is because of this that I … Continue reading 10 Mantras For Positive Mental Health
2018 has been a year of ups and downs, well, more downs than up, really. However, with the new year comes a fresh start, so I am determined to take the positives with me and leave the negatives behind. What I can say is that it has been a learning curve, one that has enabled … Continue reading 8 Things I’m Taking Forward From 2018
With 2018 drawing to a close, now is the perfect time to set goals for the year ahead. While the most popular one may be to 'lose weight', I am focusing more on my mental health than my physical, although dropping a stone or two would be brilliant. I can't say that I have the … Continue reading New Year’s Resolutions For Your Mental Health
I have always been quite creative, something I have since learnt can be a positive quality of borderline personality disorder. As a child I was often found with a pencil in hand, writing story after story giving my own twist on the Mr Men book series. While I cannot remember the full context, I do … Continue reading How Arts And Crafts Can Benefit Your Mental Health
I have always been a bit of a closed book, preferring to help others as opposed to being helped myself. It isn't even the fear of being a burden, more that I like to cope with my difficulties alone, unless I reach 'crisis point.Myself and my brother have developed our own system, allowing him to … Continue reading Mental Illness: Reaching Out In Times Of Crisis
It was three years before I came to accept that medication was needed for my mental health. I had already completed CAT therapy, bereavement therapy, and one round of CBT, before Sertraline was prescribed by my GP. I can recall the fear in taking that first tablet, needing my brother at the other end of … Continue reading There is No ‘Magic Cure’ For Mental Illness
I would give anyone £10 if they can honestly say that a few ‘likes’ on social media hasn’t improved their self-esteem. We are all in the habit of posting new hair and makeup selfies, or in my case, endless photos of my pets. What about when our self-esteem revolves around social media, though? I have always … Continue reading The Curse Of The Facebook ‘Like’: Social Media And Your Mental Health
You are worthless Depression chips away at your self-confidence, your hopes and dreams will be shattered into a million pieces as you become convinced that there is no point in trying because you will fail anyway. It is because of this that I contemplated quitting my BA Hons and MSc numerous times. My work was rubbish, … Continue reading The Lies That Depression Will Tell You
I understand myself how difficult Christmas can be when living with mental illness. There is the pressure of 'painting on a happy face', even when the black dog is smothering you, and having to socialise, despite wanting to hide beneath your quilt and shut the world away. I can honestly say that I am, in … Continue reading Christmas Coping Mechanisms For Your Mental Health
I was always under the assumption that medication meant weakness, that it only masked the issues as opposed to dealing with them, but I now realise that I was wrong, so very, very wrong. I cannot lie and say that it has been an easy ride, because it hasn't. I have experienced the majority of … Continue reading The Stigma Surrounding Antidepressants
Loosening the Chains of Mental Illness 