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Post by Toni-Louise on Aug 12, 2013 16:44:24 GMT
So I thought I would post something to get this board started =]
So my names is Toni and I am an Ambassador for Living with a mental health disorder. I live with my Mam who suffers from a range of mental health disorders including Bipolar(Rapid Cycling),Anxiety and OCD. I know how hard it can be to live with someone with mental health problems as often people who suffer from mental health problems are not aware that it affects those around them, anyway I guess I hope that I can provide some support for those of you who are in a similar position to myself.
If you wish to state who you live with and/or what they suffer from please feel free to do so =]
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Post by Bex on Aug 19, 2013 16:35:48 GMT
This is really great Toni, thanks for setting all of this up for that side of things. I'm going to be doing a lot of focus on recruiting more people who are 'living with a mental health disorder' over the next few weeks, so hopefully we'll have plenty more people just like you.
There's also Jake, who doesn't post much (because he can't really work it out haha) but he does read everything you share, as he's in a similar situation to you!
Thanks so much, you should be really proud.
Bex x
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Post by Katrine on Aug 19, 2013 16:46:02 GMT
Hi Toni! It's good to be able to read how it is for the people around you. I was diagnosed with major depression, and I'm sure it has been very hard on some of my friends... My brother had a psychosis, so I also know a bit of what it's like to live with someone who's ill
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Post by Toni-Louise on Aug 19, 2013 18:34:50 GMT
Thank you, I am pleased people are reading my posts lol, I hope we get some other people who wish to share their experiences of living with someone with a mental illness or people who are able to help to provide support. Katrine would you like to tell us a bit about your brother? no pressure if you don't want to, I just thought it might be a good way to get the ball rolling =]
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Post by Katrine on Aug 19, 2013 18:40:33 GMT
Well, he had a psychosis which the doctors think was probably brought on by an abuse of drugs. He was paranoid: He'd go for a walk and then suddenly be convinced someone was after him. He saw things that weren't there and he heard voices. Couldn't sleep because of it. It was pretty bad. But he got better and he's fine now So, there you go...
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Post by Toni-Louise on Aug 19, 2013 19:42:35 GMT
I am pleased he is better now, it sounds like it could be difficult living with that, I was wondering about how you felt watching him go through what he did and whether you learned any techniques to cope with it, once again you do not have to answer and I apologise if it makes you feel sad or anything to think about it,also I am sorry if you feel I am prying (just tell me to get lost lol) Xx
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Post by Katrine on Aug 19, 2013 19:52:38 GMT
Don't worry, it's fine I felt disturbed. I mean, I didn't know how to deal with it. My parents didn't tell me anything about it, I learned that he was seeing a team of doctors, but they wouldn't tell me why. My family is very "let's not talk about anything bad, and it'll go away", very private even amongst ourselves. So, he told me one night while he was drunk, and I was shocked of course. Once, he woke me up in the middle of the night because he couldn't sleep due to the voices in his head, and I slept in his room. But we didn't really *talk* about it. Later, I spoke with his girlfriend about it quite a bit, we've sort of helped each other deal. I think that it was a relief for both of us, knowing that we could lean on each other if need be.
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Post by Toni-Louise on Aug 19, 2013 20:07:32 GMT
Thank you for sharing that,I am pleased you found someone who was able to provide some support,obviously being your brothers girlfriend she will have had a good understanding of the troubles you were facing,which I feel can be very helpful.As much as someone who does not have any understanding of what you are going through can be helpful in a way,as they provide a way for you to express your feelings,it is much more helpful to talk to someone who has shared your experiences in some way as they will be less likely to judge and will be better able to provide support.I know that pretty well as often when I speak to people who have had little to no experience of what I am going through they may feel angered by the way in which I react to what is going on as they find it hard to see why I would put up with it without "kicking off"
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Post by Katrine on Aug 20, 2013 10:59:18 GMT
You're welcome Yes, it can be very hard for other people to understand. People "on the outside" can be quite judgemental, I feel. I mean, I haven't told any of my friends about my brother, 'cause he wants to keep it private. And even if he didn't, I still wouldn't. 'Cause if they find it hard to not judge me about my depression, *how* are they going to react to a psychosis. Not well, I guess
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Joe
Newbie
Posts: 49
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Post by Joe on Aug 29, 2013 15:01:34 GMT
Hey Toni! I live at home with my mum who has an illness that means shes mostly house bound . Since my Dad passed away she suffers badly from depression and anxiety, its difficult at time because often we clash because i have my MH issues too and we have been through the same things with the death of my Dad, plus we are spending almost all day everyday with each other so its too be expected i guess! Anyway, i try and just not take things to hard, if we do fall out it tends to not carry over to the next day atleast, i think we are often snappy because we try and keep things to ourselves so it doesn't affect the other one but really its not helping anyone! We love each other really! Haha
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Post by Toni-Louise on Aug 31, 2013 13:52:38 GMT
Joe thank you for sharing.My mam also doesn't leave the house much.I am sorry to hear about your dad.It sounds like despite your problems you have a good relationship which I think can be very helpful,so it is good to hear =] have you got any advice or methods you use to cope with your situation that you could share with others who are in a similar situation?
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