***TRIGGER WARNING*** This page is specifically about declining mental health and mental illness during the festive season. If you or someone you know is in need of help then a full list of contact information (including opening hours, phone numbers and links) is available at the bottom of this post or my Get Support page.Continue reading “A very stressful Christmas is normal. Maybe we should change things?”
Category Archives: mental health
Christmas movies – cheese that doesn’t stink?
Here we are again. The most wonderful time of the year…usually. This year we seem to be lacking the usual joy and happiness that Christmas inevitably spreads. Even though I only have social media to rely on, I can feel the sadness seeping through the screen and I can feel it at home too. ButContinue reading “Christmas movies – cheese that doesn’t stink?”
Mental health and the media – Trigger warnings
***Trigger Warning – This post will talk a little about child loss and miscarriage. Please consider if you feel able to read on before continuing. For help and support with grief, please visit my get support page where there’s lots of information and ways to engage with help*** To keep myself feeling cheerful I useContinue reading “Mental health and the media – Trigger warnings”
Mental Illness – the OCD label
“Why are you checking the front door again? This is the third time. We’ve locked it. I swear you’ve got OCD” A comment made by my ex-husband 15 years ago, but remembered negatively with crystal clarity even today. It wasn’t the first time I’d thought it, but it was the first time I’d heard it.Continue reading “Mental Illness – the OCD label”
Healthcare Superheroes – great care makes a huge difference.
Yes, I can categorically confirm that top notch healthcare still exists and my goodness does it make a difference. Here’s the real news… Superheroes exist! I’ve talked a few times recently about the negative experiences I’ve had with healthcare and trying to root out some help with my pain. Although it’s been a long journeyContinue reading “Healthcare Superheroes – great care makes a huge difference.”
The Chronic Pain Cyclone – Agony to Misery
I know I talk a lot, loads, infinitely, about pain. But, as anyone living with chronic pain will understand, it’s impossible to ignore. It imapcts and defines every second of your existence as you try and navigate life without making it worse. You wake up at night without a moment to feel dopey because theContinue reading “The Chronic Pain Cyclone – Agony to Misery”
Lack of locks – Hair loss and confidence
I want to be one of those people that isn’t bothered by my reflection. A person who promotes self-love and appreciation of the body, whatever form it takes. At home I talk to our daughter regularly about her beauty both inside and out. I ask her about the things she likes and dislikes about herselfContinue reading “Lack of locks – Hair loss and confidence”
Mental illness and parenting – am I getting it right?
I’ve had a few jobs in my time and none of them were stress-free. I’ve been under the pressure of emergency situations with the NHS, I’ve listened to customers swearing at me as I waited on tables, and I’ve thrown up every morning for months because I was so afraid of my boss. None ofContinue reading “Mental illness and parenting – am I getting it right?”
Mental Illness – building self-worth through others
By the time this post is published I’ll be drowning in the weeks of grief that I go through every year at this time. The ‘death gauntlet’ doesn’t give me a break, it doesn’t get easier and it certainly doesn’t stop for other important things. It just adds to the pile. When I was thinkingContinue reading “Mental Illness – building self-worth through others”
Words
We all have a ridiculous amount of power available to us the second we wake up in the morning and engage our lips. The words we choose to say are important. They aren’t just letters and numbers in a particular order to be found in the Oxford English Dictionary. They are so compelling they canContinue reading “Words”
Creative Steph 