Pru and where I am now | Submitted thoughts and stories

Home

Stories

Submitted thoughts and stories

Pru and where I am now

Author: Pru Davies
Published: July 2011

Pru Davies, 55, lives in Glasgow - an adopted Glaswegian and now a Govanite to boot. She first shared her story through SRN in 2006. Five years on she has decided to update her story to chronicle her continuing journey of recovery. Pru’s story touches on being a carer, voluntary work, and self-belief.

I moved to Glasgow from the south of England, Lee on Solent that overlooks the Isle of Wight with my husband Hugh (Shuggie). We had high hopes and dreams. I had recently been discharged from the last psychiatric hospital I have actually been admitted to - and hopefully never will again, but be careful what we wish for. Anyway, I digress.... Together we have a playful ball of fur, paws and claws who is our baby Mischa. Until recently we had another cat called Tiggy who sadly passed away at the age of 15 - don't want to bring you down - she is still with us in spirit and memories. Those who know me already know my love of cats!

I've experienced mental health problems since I was 25, following a very stressful period in life. I had a high stress job and was living in London during the mid 1970s. I also had a series of traumatic relationships. Eventually I had a breakdown and was admitted to hospital where I was given a cocktail of drugs, received ECT which caused memory loss and was passed from psychiatrist to psychiatrist. My parents’ reaction to my initial hospitalisation was predictable - my mother who, by the way, still lives in Lee on Solent and at the age of 92 is now my confidante, could not do more than mouth the word "psychiatric hospital" a bit like Les Dawson. My father, however, was at that time my rock, until the most important man in my life appeared and to whom I am now married. This is Shuggie (hope you are keeping up!) Did I mention we met in the same psychiatric ward in 1981 or was it 1982 - the year Diana married Prince Charles? Our love blossomed and after a whirlwind engagement that finally happened in 1984 we were married in the September and have been inseparable ever since apart from the odd hospital admission that is.

Following an initial mis-diagnosis of Mixed Affective Disorder - now take the first letters and what do you get: ‘M.A.D’ - I was treated 11 years later at Marchwood Priory in 1992. On closer examination, I was diagnosed with manic depression (bi-polar affective disorder) and the high dosage of drugs I had been on was reduced. I felt that my life had been turned around in just one month. The diagnosis I have is Bipolar I for those interested.

Although I've experienced stigma in every aspect of my life - from taunts within my community, to the failure of my employer to support me during a time of mental ill health and the lack of understanding from my family - I feel my experience has helped me learn, become stronger and develop a passion for making a difference for the future.

I became a carer overnight 5 years ago this coming October when Hugh suffered a breakdown and spent 3 weeks in Ward 32 at the Southern General. I had to make the executive decision whilst he was in hospital to close the business that he'd built up over 7 years but that was now going to tear him apart physically and mentally. With support from colleagues in the mental health partnership of the NHS, our respective psychiatrists and team at Brand Street Resource Centre we've got through what was an extremely traumatic time for both of us. It continues to cause angst from time to time when things trigger either one of us to "go off on one" so to speak, that then needs instant intervention from mental health services and distress and setbacks for each of us.

I feel moving on is much more than just letting go and saying “I’m better”. My involvement in the mental health voluntary sector has strengthened my identity as a strong woman with my own direction. I am now a director of Bipolar Scotland. I am also the Vice Chair of Advocacy Matters (Greater Glasgow). My voluntary work in the mental health field is very important to me - but I need to be able to "self manage" my condition which I do constantly. Taking plenty of time to recharge - doing jewellery classes at the moment and about to start a creative writing course. Shuggie got me a starter kit and beads for my birthday which by the way was on Saturday 21st May. The world didn't end then!

My advice to others in a similar situation is ‘have belief’. It’s easy to say there is light at the end of the tunnel….but there is. No drugs, therapies or psychiatrists can substitute the value of self belief. Life is for living and the skin you are in is the one that matters, so find something that helps you believe in that and stick with it.

You can read Pru's story from 2006 here.

If you’d like to share your thoughts or experiences of recovery then contact us on 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 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.