To tell you I have a mental illness

[LEMisdisappointed]

Time to talk are having a "big share" on the demon facebook to raise awareness of mental health issues and prejudice.

i think this link will work

I suffer from depression and anxiety - it skews they way i take things sometimes, so something that would go over my head normally really upsets me and i over analyse EVERYTHING. I am on citalopram which helps with my anxiety and means i can get through the day without having a meltdown. I manage to be a good mum and decent partner and think im fun to be around. I am not ashamed to have a mental illness.

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Don't be ashamed martha - that's heart-breaking.

Am glad you can say you have two amazing children - I'm sure you're not just lucky to have them, but should be proud too. Be proud of them, it could be a good place to start ?

I've not achieved what others might superficially expect of me either - but they don't know everything do they ? and not everyone judges.

IMHO life is to be experienced more than ambitions fulfilled or hoops jumped through.

I like that advert on ITV - life is short, we're only passing through, be happy.

(As far as you are able)

[martha2013]

Sorry OP I didn't intend on hijacking your thread. Thank you to the previous posters for the kind words though, your empathy is very comforting.

I love the idea that talking about mh problems can help and am immensely impressed with those who are brave enough to be open. My experience is that people are scared and can't understand. A severe mh illness puts up a huge barrier and so keeping quiet is a safer chance at a relationship. This is hard as if I cant mention my experiences when ill I don't have much else to share.

I recently saw a consultant on the labour ward where I gave birth. He said he had read my notes and thought he must have the wrong person as he didn't think that having bipolar, I would be so 'pleasant and articulate.' This came from someone with medical training so no wonder the average joe is judgmental.

[idiuntno57]

Martha regular hospital doctors have very little experience of MH issues and in my opinion are scared. I had a terrible time with them when my DT's were born and in SCBU. And when DC4 was born they threatened me with taking him away because they had misread care plan from loony doc. Terrible times. But over now. NOW I get to bore you all rigid with them............

[LEMisdisappointed]

you are not hijacking martha xx feel free to share

[celestialbows]

Hey to all of you brave people on the thread. Interesting all the puckers out there :@( I have previously researched this and there has been a link to the autistic spectrum, someone mentioned it in connection with their dyspraxia. I have a brother with Tourette's, we have no contact due to the whole toxic family thing but I often wonder if I have some element of ASD. not meaning to belittle those who have a genuine ASD.

[celestialbows]

*pickers not puckers....

[martha2013]

Unless you are willing to disclose all the details of your illness, you are not only being unreasonable but we should be holding a red flag up!!

Just in case we needed affirmation of us and them, a thread to showcase discrimination pops up!

[LEMisdisappointed]

Where is that martha?

[martha2013]

It's in aibu, title is something about psychiatric admission and red flags. I'm probably over reacting and being very sensitive to the subject but it seems ironic that after this lovely thread with people being so brave and telling their stories that there is still such blatant stigma.

[idiuntno57]

its got my blood boiling

[LEMisdisappointed]

Right - I'm going in!! if i can find it

[HorsesDogsGuineapigs]

Great thread

I have depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I pick the dry patches on my scalp, pull out my hair (mainly eyelashes) and suspect I'm a hoarder.

I'm on Fluoxetine, but I think it needs reviewing now. I have community support, and have just started psychiatric counselling. Hoping it'll help

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I'm never brave about being honest about this. I have had episodes of severe depression along with some anxiety. I've a fab gp who thinks I'm moderately depressed and anxious currently so been referred to the local mental health team to see which sort of therapy might be helpful. Fortunately I've learned some good tools from the past and seem to be keeping my head above the water pretty well.
For all you pickers, what you need is psoriasis (though it can be a bit embarrassing if you've been absent mindedly picking in public)

[LEMisdisappointed]

lol nah, i'll pass on the psoriasis thanks

It has a name en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatillomania What strikes me is that most of the folk on here have said they pick at their scalps over other parts of the body. I am not sure i am actually moved to do anything about it though.

[UpTheFRIGGinDuff]

I have Anxiety and depression.

I had PND for 2 years before I was diagnosed and the psychiatrist I saw at that point says he thinks I had post partum psychosis for the first 6 months of DD's life,which gradually melded into Extreme Anxiety.

Mumsnet,particularly the mental health board almost certainly saved my life.
I would never have gone for RL help if it wasn't for the wonderful people there,and their honest,kind and wise words.

Sertraline continues to keep me stable and happy,even. Which is not something I ever thought I'd be.

[BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability]

Psoriasis does make the picking extra satisfying.

[BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability]

LEM, I remember a thread ages ago about tricho/dermotillomania, there were hundreds of posters on there! It was in chat though, so long gone by now

[TooOldForGlitter]

I haven't read the whole thread. I have general anxiety disorder. It seems such a simple term for something which rules my life to the point where I cannot get on a bus or a train, where some days I cannot get in the car to go to the supermarket or go out for a walk along the sea front with my family. Or I cannot get on a children's ride at a theme park. You are very much not alone. You have no reason to be ashamed of having an illness that affects your mind and not your body.

[TooOldForGlitter]

Oh and I have trichotillomania too. I pulled my hair out until I had huge gaps and bald patches and long bits and short bits.

[BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability]

Mind you, I am very upfront with anyone about my PsA and mental health. Not so much about my ragged bits though!

[TooOldForGlitter]

I'm such a thread killer

[idiuntno57]

no its just getting late and the meds make you sleepy

[BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability]

//😴

[LongEaredOwl]

Depression & OCD for me, was on Citalopram, now Escitalopram. Both very good, and CBT was a Godsend.
Not only are MH conditions very common, they are often very treatable.

[TooOldForGlitter]

I constantly spoil any single outing we ever have as an immediate or an extended family because my anxiety means I cannot do a single thing. I ruin peoples lives.