Ways that Professionals have Helped Me
I’ve been under mental health services for the past decade or so and, in that time, I’ve had a range of experiences – whilst some have been (very) bad, others have made a big, positive difference to my recovery. So, I thought I’d share some of the ways that professionals have helped me… Listening When…
Getting Sectioned
Now, when it comes to being sectioned, from my experience, a lot of different emotions come into play – but, before talking more about them, I figured it was important to explain what the term actually means… So, what does it mean? I’ll be the first to admit that, before it happened to me, I…
How it feels to be Manic
Back in November, I went through the biggest – and toughest – manic episode I’ve ever been through. I ended up in hospital, being sectioned for several weeks. Since then, I’ve gone through a (much smaller) episode but, thanks to my loved ones and mental health services, I was able to stay at home -…
How Depression Affects Me
Now, when it comes to depression, there’s no ‘one size fits all’. Everyone’s experience is different, but I wanted to share some of the ways in which it affects me. Feelings of Hopelessness When I’m in the middle of a depressive episode, it can be hard to find hope. It feels a bit like I’m…
Three acts of Kindness from the Ward
When I think back to my time on the psych ward, there are not many things I can remember. But, from the limited memories I do have (combined with the accounts of other people) I wanted to share some of the acts of kindness I encountered. Act 1: The Burger King Crown The day before…
Gallery of Happiness (Part 1)
On Christmas Day, hundreds of people joined in with #TalkWithCharlie – posting a photo that makes them happy. From pets to tins of spam, there was variety to say the least! I thought it’d be nice to put the photos together in a gallery – something to look at when times feel tough. So here’s…
Returning Home from the Psych Ward
After being stuck on a psych ward for over forty days, you’d think there would be nothing more appealing than coming back home. However, whilst I’ve found the return to my wife and dog incredibly exciting, it’s also come with its fair share of challenges. Before I go any further, I should mention that I…
Signs that Mania is Coming
It was just before seven on a Friday morning when I decided to put on my favourite trainers and leave the house to visit Blackpool. There were only a couple of hours to go before I was due to start work. Trouble was, I had no intention of actually doing the shift. Instead, I had much…
Coming Out of a Manic Episode
November the 11th. It’s a date we have etched into our brains from the moment we’re born – in the build up to it, we buy badges and wrist bands, and use pins to attach poppies to coats. On the day itself, we wait until the hour strikes eleven, and we sit in silence, reflecting…
Being Admitted to the Psych Ward
(Trigger warning: suicide and sectioning) “Charlie, I’m seriously worried about you.” It was late afternoon on a Wednesday. I’d just finished work for the day, and was at my weekly therapy appointment, 10 months into my treatment for OCD. Over the past couple of months, my mood had been deteriorating. I thought I’d been hiding…
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Charlie's Mind 