I wrote the following article for the Journal. Published 08.10.16. It's World Mental Health Day on Monday. But why should we care? I have a mental health disorder. You can often find me on Northumberland Street, shaking like a leaf, muttering to myself and pushing eighteen cats in a pram. That, of course, is a … Continue reading Weak? Scary? Violent?
Five things anxious minds do not want to hear
Original post on Huffington Post and shared through Time to Change 'Don't panic' OK, I'll not panic. The end. Are you kidding?! Do you think I would choose to be hyperventilating at 03:57 am if I had a magic panic on/off switch? And don't tell me to calm down. Don't make me angry. I'll … Continue reading Five things anxious minds do not want to hear
How to land a plane
(or, My experience of anti-depressants and other stories Meet Serotonin. A good mate of mine. We never used to be that close. I thought we were, but Serotonin was one of those fair weather friends. First hint of troubled water and she pissed right off. So when we recently formed a meaningful friendship (as opposed … Continue reading How to land a plane
Stop the bus, I want to get off
Buses. They used to terrify me. Trains didn't, planes didn't, even boats didn't. And cars were OK - unless you count that 'new car' smell that our Scirocco reeked of. I was always convinced it would make me chunder en route to grandmas. Of course, it rarely did but the thought of puking without a … Continue reading Stop the bus, I want to get off
The lookout
"Have you seen Meerkat Manor?" I wasn't sure where my counsellor was going with this one. I had previously been asked to read various self-help books but when she suggested I borrow her meerkat book I was slightly perplexed. So she explained it to me. In meerkat communities there is always one 'lookout' - proactively … Continue reading The lookout
3am eternal
One of the less funny excerpts from my book - A Series of Unfortunate Stereotypes, Naming and Shaming Mental Health Stigmas. TW: detailed account of panic attack below: Awake. It's 3am. My mouth is dry. Why is it so dry? I stick my head under the tap. It's not working. I'm still thirsty. Too much … Continue reading 3am eternal
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