Part of my mental health condition is a lack of ability to explain myself, so when it comes to writing my "Blog" it's a challenge!
However my blogs are inspired by the guys who come along to the meetings I run for anyone suffering from anxiety, depression or any other associated mental health condition, such as OCD, phobia etc. These guys courage and strength guide my thoughts to contemplate. This is what gives me the encouragement to get down in writing what is usually hidden away in my head.
My own journey with mental health began at the age of 7. I suffered anxiety/panic attacks etc. I was given sedative pills and told to stop being stupid and seeking attention. I had problems at school when my "attention seeking" tendencies got me hauled out of class and given a good telling off by the Head Teacher. Telling me I was an embarrassment to the school. I was aged 9 at the time.
It wasn't until years later I learned that it was this type of attitude, from folks ignorant to the ways of mental health, that got me into these attentions seeking situations in the first place!
I carried the perception, that mental illness was something to be hidden away, for over 40 years. Afraid of the stigma, I hardly spoke to anyone about what was going on in my head. When I look back it was like staring out of a window watching the world go by without me in it and if I was "in it" I was probably taking too much medication and was out of it.
Back in 2010 I went through a particularly tough time. My anxiety was out of control and I was having so many panic attacks I couldn't function! I was referred to my local Mental Health NHS Trust where I got 18 one to one therapy sessions. I was lucky, these sessions worked and over the last few years I have made steady progress with my recovery.
My success has also been down to the support I have found from my Group, YourSpace. I Blog because I want to stop the stigma that surrounds mental health. We all need to talk about mental health. No one has to suffer alone and in silence.
The link below explains the reason why I have written this particular blog. If you want to give it a go follow now!
http://www.blogformentalhealth.comwww.blogformentalhealth.com