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Stories Submitted thoughts and stories Short Thoughts on Recovery
Stories Submitted thoughts and stories Short Thoughts on Recovery
Short Thoughts on Recovery |
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anxiety | bereavement | carer | depression | housing | male | mood swings | nervous breakdown
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Author: Tom Douglas Published: 29 September 2006 The following thoughts on recovery were shared through the ‘Submit your story’ section of the website. My Name is Tom Douglas. I am 36 years of age and I live in East Kilbride, I am the youngest of nine children and I have suffered on and off from mental health problems for 18 years. I get mood swings and at times want to be isolated from people as I become very nervous and agitated and insecure. I come from a family of older siblings who have achieved high academic success, yet my twin brother and I are the only ones who have never attained a sense of normal life in our own ways due to our mental health problems. My twin brother Michael can't work but stays with an older brother who cares and looks after him. I wanted to go to the University of Strathclyde when I was 19 years old but had a nervous breakdown and became clinically depressed and at times suicidal. Though I was never hospitalised my family were put under a lot of stress and emotional grief in trying to help me overcome my emotional turmoil. My mum, who is now in her eighties, tried her best although my older brothers and sisters and my father were less understanding and unsupportive. I then worked for 10 years in a family business, which I hated, and then drifted into a variety of low-paid jobs. At the same time my father died and I had to help care for my elderly mother who became diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It was my turn for a while to tend to her care and her needs. Now she is being looked after in a nursing home where she is happy and content in her own way. Fortunately my father left me a small amount of money to buy my own flat, so I have my own independence. I’m managing to still work and pay my bills, and have some quality of life. I'm hoping to study for an academic qualification at university part-time within the near future. I give thanks to life for being fortunate in so many ways; it's funny though because I have seen both sides of the coin, both as a carer and a sufferer. Though I still can get down at times I believe there is always light for all of us at the end of the tunnel. If you’d like to share your thoughts or experiences of recovery then contact us on Click here to go back to previous page This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0141 240 7790 to discuss. |
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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