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Stories Narrative research project stories Doesn't Time Fly When You're Depressed
Stories Narrative research project stories Doesn't Time Fly When You're Depressed
Doesn't Time Fly When You're Depressed |
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activism | bipolar disorder (manic depression) | employment (+) | peer support (informal) and befriending | self help groups | self knowledge/learning/growth | self management | sense of self | statutory mental health services (-) | taking control | voluntary mental health services | volunteering
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Published: February 2006 This story shows how self-education, volunteering, activism and employment have been important to recovery. Initially the main thing, especially on diagnosis, was learning about the illness. I didn’t particularly find out from whom you might expect. I attended self-help groups, run by the Manic Depression Fellowship (now known as Bipolar Fellowship Scotland) and I suppose I just found it helpful that, surprise, surprise, I’m not the only one with manic depression! And I’m hearing their stories, their experiences and relating really well to them. Whereas in other situations, for example, with my psychiatrist, I wouldn’t be getting that at all, I would be getting quizzed about my symptoms. I found it a very refreshing way to learn about my illness. Basically I managed to go to one self-help group about once every two weeks, if not some extra ones. And I think it was just my thirst for knowledge about what was up with me because I got a late diagnosis and it caused quite a lot of concern, a lot of upset and chaos. Learning about what trigger signs were, about what the early warning signs were, and also about some of the traits of the illness. That armed me to form a sort of selfmanagement style for myself. To be aware, you know, that if I’m up, I’ve got loads of energy and I’m going to go into town to buy say, a pair of jeans, I don’t come out with five pairs of trainers and a jacket. So I would second guess myself and check myself. It gave me more awareness of myself in different states of my illness. I got immersed in self-help groups. I started joining local link clubs and local mental health organisations; to such an extent that when I had the energy and I was feeling well, I would utilise my energy to that end. I ended up volunteering for the organisation and a few other local organisations; I either became a committee member or Director and that actually continued until I got full employment. As my energy came back, my knowledge, enthusiasm and my confidence came back, and I didn’t have so many dips. It was a relatively smooth road through voluntary work, to employment and having quite a full and active life. But it’s scary when I start losing my energy, and I try to limit myself. I try to utilise my positive energy and urges in a positive way, whether it be charitable work, extra curricular work in steering groups, working groups to try and develop things for mental health or reports or whatever. But whatever my tools are they are not infallible, and neither is my illness. The thing that keeps me going is the knowledge that I’m going to get better. The one thing I do know about my illness, if history tells me anything, is that I bounce back. And when I bounce back the trick is to bounce back and stay well. The fact is, that I have manic depression, I don’t care whether it’s genetic, I don’t care whether it’s a chemical imbalance, or how I got it. The fact is I have it, and to a certain extent I will have lesser or greater degrees of manic-depressive symptoms till the day I die. I try to utilise and enjoy the times when I’m well, and try and avoid and minimise the times of being low through self management, in terms of being aware of my illness, being aware of my trends, being aware of triggers. I do feel that I’m a stronger person for having the experiences that I’ve had. I have had very good experiences and although it’s been scary, a bit depressive, and it’s been a bit up, a bit down, I do think I’ve benefited as an individual from the entire experience. I tend to forge on and just hope to get back in there because I enjoy the work, and I think it’s valuable to try and make a difference for other folk. My advice to others with manic depression would be to watch your highs but to hang on to your healthier times because I think we can all agree that depressions sucks, there’s no doubt about it. This story was written based on this individuals interview for the SRNs narrative research project entitled, 'Recovering Mental Health in Scotland'. More information about the project can be found in the Narrative Research Project section of our website www.scottishrecovery.net. If you’d like to share your own experience of recovery please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0141 240 7790 to discuss. Click here to go back to previous page |
Story Tags
activism community/socialising/inclusion coping strategies creativity depression employment (+) exercise female hospital male medication medication (-) peer support (informal) and befriending seeing things differently self knowledge/learning/growth self management sense of self support from family support from friends support from mental health professionals supportive spouse/partner taking control talking therapies voluntary mental health services volunteering Story disclaimer
The stories presented here are for information only. They are meant to inspire hope and show that recovery can and does happen. The stories highlight various examples of recovery and we do not advocate any of these experiences as the ‘right’ way to recover. Recovery is an individual and unique process, each person must decide for himself or herself what will work for them. Please carefully consider any decisions you make about your own recovery and consult with someone you trust if you feel unsure. See our Submit Your Thoughts pages for details on how to submit a story to us or you can contact us.
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