Tag: Mind Charity

Living In Remission With Bipolar 1 Disorder- Time To Talk Day by Eleanor.

~ Eleanor Segall ~ Leave a comment

(image: Mind/Rethink Mental Illness)

Time to Talk Day is today and it is ‘the nation’s biggest mental health conversation’. This year’s theme is Brave the Big Talk, have conversations about mental health experiences that might feel a bit unspoken, with an aim to destigmatise mental health issues.

Today I would like to talk about living in remission with Bipolar 1 Disorder (I was diagnosed aged 16 in 2004 and am now 37!). I am lucky that although the illness I have when unmedicated is severe- I have had episodes of psychosis and mania and suicidal depression, and been hospitalised twice, I live in remission these days.

What does remission mean to me?

  • It means my medication (Lithium and Quetaipine- a mood stabiliser and anti psychotic) stops the very high (manic) and very low (depressive) moods and I can cope better. I am still a work in progress but its way less severe!
  • It means that although I have ongoing therapy to deal with past trauma, I don’t need to see a psychiatrist at present and am managed by my GP.
  • It also means that I don’t have to worry too much about bipolar episodes, which is not the same for everyone with our illness! I do however still struggle with anxiety, which I have spoken about before and some days can be harder than others.

Time to Talk Day say, ‘ Talking openly and honestly can be the first step towards better mental health for everyone. It can even save lives. Talking can reduce stigma and help people feel comfortable enough to seek help when they need it.‘

So whether you talk to a friend or an employee or listen to someone else, you can be making a big difference today. Find more about getting involved here: https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/time-to-talk-day/

Thanks to Mind and Rethink Mental Illness for creating such an important day,

Eleanor

Coping with the lows and Celebrating the highs by Eleanor

~ Eleanor Segall ~ 4 Comments

depressionblog
(image: the chic life)

I have been wanting to write about everything for the past week but felt like I have been swept up into a hurricane. There has been a lot going on- some good, but a lot of bad in my life and I have been trying to process it all.

As most of you know, my article on bipolar was published in the Telegraph with thanks to an amazing editor who believed in my story. The Telegraph is a high profile newspaper here in the UK and this was a big platform for my story to be given. So I am grateful. I will put the link to it in the articles tab soon.

I received many positive messages from people with bipolar and psychosis- who could see themselves in my experience and were pleased and appreciative that I shared it. Also those who are carers for people with it got in touch too. I had a lot of support from friends and family, which was important because I started to feel quite vulnerable in revealing so much of what had happened back in 2014 when I was hospitalised. It isn’t easy- even though I want to share it to help people.

As well as the positives, I did receive a few unwanted and negative messages- mainly from ignorant people who don’t know me. I don’t want to give the Trolls any air time here, except to say that the Telegraph were fantastic and stepped in. The comments that were sent weren’t nice but it is a risk when  revealing such a complex mental illness to the world- its an emotive topic and some people can be cruel too. However, the positives outweighed the negatives.

My article was published when I was in Portugal visiting my grandparents with my Dad, Aunt and Uncle so having them  around to process it all was really helpful. Portugal was lovely to have the family time but hard to see my Grandpa unwell, though I was so pleased I got to see him. We also went to a very beautiful beach at Sesimbra, near Lisbon which was good to get some sun in November!

I have two close family members who are unwell at the moment with serious illnesses. As such with all the pressure of it all, I am finding that my mood is dipping and I have to practise a lot of self care- sleeping, reading, pacing myself. It could be that its approaching winter and less light, but I am feeling mildly depressed at times and sleeping more in the mornings, so I am watching my mood and trying to cope as best I can.

If it continues for a long period, I may see the doctor or my counsellor but I think its a reaction to everything happening.

Yesterday I received some really good news– which I will share in a few weeks time. I am so grateful for all the good happening and still planning for my wedding which is something positive to focus on too. Thank you to everyone who has been and continues to be there.

If you are feeling like me right now, a bit low/ depressed, tell people you trust. Don’t keep it in. Remember it can pass. And get support and help if you need it. My fiance, friends and family are helpful to me- confide in someone you can talk too.

I am trying to focus on the positives and celebrate the highs, while dealing with the lows. Thats life I think. Its not always easy but I will get there and so will you if you feel the same.

Eleanor xÂ