ReBlog - World Mental Health Day

ReBlog - World Mental Health Day - 2017

This Blog post was originally written in January 2014... I think a lot of it still applies except I know my illness a lot better now. I've accepted that we are going to have to ride the wave of depression and the most important thing i've learnt is that there is always hope. I still worry about how i'm perceived but this only applies to my boys... I want to protect them from this for as long as I can. Of course they've seen me wracked in pain but Mental Pain is a harrowing sort i'd like to protect them from.

Without further ado,

Loneliness

Often I want to pour out how I feel about my mental health and to be honest I feel overwhelmed because no amount of semantics will do justice to the mess that's within me. I however feel like "loneliness" covers most of it. When I am within the grip of depression, I feel Unreachable. No one can reach me (though some try - my hubby & a few trusted friends) and I can't reach anyone either. I do try but the weight is too heavy to lift.

I decided to write this out today because Time to Change the charity working tirelessly to end stigma surrounding mental health launched their new campaign this week.

I watched a few clips and it made me look within and I found that I was actually worried about how people will perceive me if I give them a glimpse into my head. I realise that this in itself is helping perpetuate the idea that mental illness is something to be ashamed of. It's not.

I am not ashamed I have a mental illness. I am however sad that I do.

I think because I have this reputation of being happy go lucky/ gregarious , when I have bad days and I can't keep my facade up, some people don't know how to react. Someone once suggested my depression was nothing but a bit of winter blues. I don't think the person meant to

poo-poo my pain though, it just came out like that.

Everybody has days when they want to say F- You world I am staying in bed. However if you notice that your friend isn't being her self lately give them a text to let them know you care. Offer them some help.

It'll mean a whole lot to them.

Start a conversation about mental health in your community.

Comments

What to put in your Hospital Bag for a Mastectomy

I have scrawled across the internet , read lots of blogs and watched lots of videos. Most of which were of an American slant. I have come to the conclusion that the American hospital system is very different to our good old NHS. I asked lots of people who have been through this too. I also used information from the booklet entitled "Planned Admissions" which I was given when I went in for my Wide Excision back in March. Putting all the above to use, here is what I have packed in my hospital bag . Most British hospitals do not have vast amount of space so you are advised to bring a soft bag not a suitcase. I chose my favourite Cath Kidston X Disney Peter Pan Tote. It's not a big bag either. George Post Surgery PJs (with internal drain management pockets. George Post Surgery Dressing Gown (also with Drain Management) My trusty bedroom boots Fleece Blanket Spare underwear Toiletry bag containing Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Deodorant, Face cream Naty Baby Eco Wipes...

Living with Invisible Disabilities

It’s been a year since my hysterectomy. I had wanted to share how much my life has improved since which in some respects it has. But unfortunately for me, I still have other lifelong conditions that disable me daily. So although, it’s a relief not to have to deal with the debilitating gynaecological pain that I suffered with for over 20 years, Life continues to be a struggle. I was trying to create a TikTok video and was looking for pictures to help illustrate how hard things were but there was no evidence of my struggle. The trauma, the pain, the scarring. The panic, the anxiety & loss are all invisible. I have nothing tangible to show the hell that I’ve lived through. In the words of my heroes, Maya Angelou, “Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise. Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I rise” I will keep rising for as long as I can. I owe it to myself....

Why Don’t Healthcare Providers understand Medical Trauma?

Our surgery has recently gotten 2 new partners which saved it from closing. I’ve ALWAYS been anaemic since I started periods or even before because 1) I’ve got weird shaped red blood cells & 2) I’ve basically been haemorrhaging every month until my op earlier this year. 3) my DMARDs (drugs that prevent damage in my joints) have an impact. Since my op, and the absence of periods, my iron levels have been slowly climbing and my Rheumatologist told me the last time I had a new PB 😅 I’m doing all the things to encourage it. Just before Christmas, I had my HBA1C done (basically my diabetes report card) which includes a full blood count. The results came in today (I’m basically walking around with a normal HBA1C 🙌🏿🙌🏿) but I just got a phone call from the surgery saying the dr would like to test me for anaemia . At this point I’m so bored & fed up with unnecessary prods. Like you’ve got data in front of you. Make of it what you will. ...

Oreos & Gin

Search This Blog