30 Day Challenge - Day 22

Thursday 18th September 2014
09:45pm

Day 22
What is your opinion on medication used to treat mental illness(es)?

As long as it's used for the right reasons and not just to zombie-fy people then I honestly think it is a good thing but really believe therapy is needed to as you can't just solve everything with a tablet.

I'm on medication and only yesterday had my anxiety tablet upped.  I do think that once I have the correct therapy that will also help.

I've been on medication which hasn't agreed with me but the tablets I'm on now seem to have helped.  I am fully aware that you can't rely just on medication to "cure" everything.

Rach x

30 Day Challenge - Day 21

Wednesday 17th September 2014
06:40pm

Day 21
Many people say stress triggers symptoms, do you agree or disagree?

I honestly agree with this, but also believe stress can heighten triggers if you are already struggling.  Summer has proven this for me.  When I get stressed and have to much on my mental health has an impact and I can usually sense something is up as I notice a change in my behaviors, which is a good thing the fact I can notice.  I've had a lot to think about over summer and know my eating has not been great or my state of mind on days.

With having BPD my emotions are heightened anyway and I do wonder if what is stressing me out would stress out a 23 year old who doesn't have mental health issue.  

Rach x

30 Day Challenge - Day 20

Tuesday 16th September 2014
04:41pm

Day 20
Where do you get your support?

I'm involved with my local mental health team, but recently have had a change of psychiatrist, which if I'm honest I'm actually nervous about meeting them next week.  I am currently on the waiting list for therapy (1 year 1 month and 7 days) not that I'm counting or anything!

I also have support off my family, which I've been able to appreciate more since I moved out, but as parents can they can still annoy me!  My brother has become a great support for me to as he's got older and started to understand things a lot more about my conditions.

My friends who are again another fab support, I always want to write a list but I always panic that I'll miss someone out and I don't want to offend anyone!! I've met a lot of people through services and a few have them have become an important part of my life.

On a stranger note my cats are so important to me! I think having that extra responsibility makes me want to carry on, especially on a bad day when I want to end it all I do worry what will happen to them! (Crazy Cat lady!)  My dad takes the mic as when I did a radio interview I didn't mention anyone else but the cats (whoops)

Support comes in all shapes and sizes.  It doesn't have to be something/someone physical.  Memories are so important to, how you coped last time you were in this position, yes it can be hard to go back and think but if I can I do try.

Support can be a hug, photo, memory, person, animal, book, therapy, friends, family .... I could go on, what I find support in, you the person reading this may find support through something else.

10 Days left to go and I think secretly I'm starting to enjoy this challenge.  

Rachael x

30 Day Challenge - Day 19

Monday 15th September 2014

09:14am

Day 19

Have you ever read a self-help book or a book related to psychology?  What is your opinion on them?  If you have read them do you have a favourite?

I've never really read a self-help book as such, what I've found more beneficial is reading other people's journeys.  It seems to sink in more when I'm struggling that someone else has experienced something similar and has found a way out of it.

I know my mum has read loads and she seemed to swap them with the other parents she made friends with along the way.  I'm surprised my mum hasn't done one yet with Wendy (one of her closest friends who she met while I was poorly - I suppose one good thing that came from a shitty situation for my mum)

Through doing my degree at the moment I always seem to find myself flicking to the glossary to see if eating disorders or personality disorders are covered, and finding out what the authors view on a certain theory is.  Every theory works differently on each individual and it would be nice for a theorist to state that at some point, however, I'm still looking.

So as for a favourite I would have to say I don't have one book in particular, but I do prefer to read from an author who has actually experienced what they are talking about other than just from "professional" point of view.  

Rach x

30 Day Challenge - Day 18

Sunday 14th September 2014

03:57pm

Day 18

What do you wish people would understand in regards to mental illness and/or mental health?

I wish people would realise it's not something which you can snap out of and get over.  What I've found harder is the view many people have when you have been in hospital over your mental health and then think just because you are home things are automatically okay again.

If anything been in hospital (in my opinion) was the easy part.  Getting back home is when things do get harder as people's expectations are that you are well and there is nothing to worry about.  As much as I hated being in hospital it was safe.  The same people came in and out, and all that mattered was what went on in side those walls. 

There are times when I wonder do I need to go back in for a bit.  I think the honest truth is at some of those times the answer has been yes, but I'm lucky with the fact that the support I have around me have battled those times with me.  It was hard when I moved out of mum and dad's I had to quickly learn to ignore the voices not to eat and end it all.

I just wish people would simply UNDERSTAND , I know mental health is a mine field but it would just be nice if people could just actually do that.  Just listen allow that person to work through what they are doing, see them as people and not as an attention seeker.  I do sometimes wonder if even just trying to get people to understand is to much.  We hear so much negativity through media, I worry people at to scared to understand in case that makes them as "crazy" as the person they are talking to.

Rach x  

30 Day Challenge - Day 17

Saturday 13th September 2014
06:34pm

Day 17
If you could get rid of your mental illness(es) would you?  Why or why not?

If I had the choice of having mental health issues in the first place I'd have said no, however, having lived with them and doing the work I have done to raise awareness it's nice to just be stable at times.  

What I do hate is the fact I've missed out on a lot and that's what does frustrate me.  I often wonder why me, why the hell did I have to have mental health issues.  

The question really has me thinking ...

Rach 

30 Day Challenge - Day 16

Friday 12th September 2014
1:20pm

Day 16
How many people are you “out” to with your mental illness(es)? Why?

Love this question!

I'm not ashamed about my mental health issues.  I have my moments when I wish I could just be "normal"

I do so much work around mental health I really believe been open with what I can will ensure that other people can hopefully feel the same.

I think it is important to be open, mental health is nothing to be ashamed of and I wish others could see that.  Everyone has a different journey and mine has empowered me to get through the bad days and try my hardest to focus on the good. 

Rach x