Some short thoughts about recovery

Author: Debbie Preston
Published: 15 November 2005

The following thoughts on recovery were shared through the ‘Submit your story’ section of the website.

I was attracted to my current post as a Mental Health Worker because I felt I had a lot of insight into Mental Health & Mental Illness, having been diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder 3 years ago. I also felt my post would allow me to learn more about Positive Mental Health & Self-Management.

I was first diagnosed with psychotic depression after a traumatic event, some say that this can act as a ‘trigger’. Four years later I was diagnosed with Bi-polar, which was probably brought on by me not dealing with disappointment again very well. Two years after that I ended up ill again. This time I couldn’t get to sleep for three nights and, as I was “self-managing” with no meds at the time, I panicked and got ill again.

It’s happened and I’m living with it. I get mood swings in reaction to what I think are normal things, just living, but to be honest I think most folk are the same. Perhaps I’m just a more sensitive person, or perhaps my coping mechanisms have been crap! There are many different ways I could look at it, but the worst is ‘why me’ and feeling rubbish about it. It happened, and now I’m just living and riding the waves.

The last time I got ill and hospitalised was last year and I never want to repeat that experience. In my opinion hospital is no place to rest, relax and recover; being there just makes me worse. Therefore I really want to stay well and look after myself.

I have just completed Self-Management Training with the Bi-polar Fellowship, which has so far taught me a lot about myself, and this is great because medication isn’t a cure-all.

If I suffer ups and downs again I think I will react better, and if I get ill I know now that I will be ok because I’ve been through it three times now. I’m doing ok for myself, and if I can do that then I think many others can too.

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.