Written interviews

(OCD)

Sebastian Pisarczyk

What you realise you have it?

How often I would check things, how anxious it would make me feel if I did not do this.

 

How does it affect you?

Check things multiple times, makes me turn up late to things due to this.

 

How is it triggered?

Whenever I need to leave the house.

 

Do you have compulsions?

Yes I do, having to check things multiple times.

 

How does it affect you’re day to day life?

I have to check doors every time I leave the house, to see if they are locked.

 

Have you seen a specialist for it?

No.

 

Harry Lathe

What you realise you have it?

I believe I’ve had OCD for 7+ years and I never knew what it was until I did some of my own research. I only opened about it in the last few months to my family.
 

How does it affect you?

It affects me badly; it is constant, and I don’t feel like there’s an escape from it. Some days are better than others, but I try my best.
 

How is it triggered?

There are numerous triggers, if a room is messy, out of order or if it “doesn’t feel right”, there’s many reasons.

 

Do you have compulsions?

Yes, I must do certain rituals, whether it’s counting in a certain order until it feels right or tapping something in a particular sequence. There are many but it affects everyone differently.

 

How does it affect your day-to-day life?

As I mentioned earlier, it constantly affects me, there’s no escape from it. I’m slowly finding coping mechanisms after 7+ years of suffering with it. It delays me when I leave most of the time and stops me doing it and enjoying them.

 

Have a specialist for it?

In the past couple of months, I’ve finally received CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and it has helped but I’s been quite slow but that’s down to lots of pressure on their services. I’ve started antidepressants in the past month to cope with it.

 

 

Anxiety

Chloe Lynas

What made you discover that you had anxiety? 

When I first realised I had anxiety, I was in my early teens. However, I believe it began from childhood related issues that had to go through at a young age. This was due to my parents other partners making me feel like I was an inconvenience to them and making in obvious that they didn’t want me involved within their ‘family circle’.  

Sly comments every now and again were made against me, which as a child you don’t want to hear. For example “only ugly girls wear makeup”, “is SHE going to be there”. It wasn’t till I was a little older that I started to understand what they were saying.  

Another reason why I discovered I had anxiety was at school. This was small things like feeling like my opinions were wrong, and if I spoke what I thought, people would laugh. Just small things running through my mind constantly.  

 

What triggers it? 

It’s very rare that I can’t control my anxiety, but certain things like people talking behind my back, or a build-up of stress could trigger my emotions again. This could be due to either college work, work life or managing money.  

However on occasion I could just overall be having a bad day and everything running through my mind will just overload me, which leads to a mental breakdown.   

 

How does it affect you? 

Dealing with it for so long, I try not let it affect me anymore. College and money management probably affects me the most because I’m old enough to realise the importance of both activities.  

College is mainly due to time management and taking in all the information about the course in such a short amount of time. Due to my Dyslexia, I struggle with time management because I’ll have to go over an assignment multiple times, checking if it’s correct. Presenting in front of the class is another challenge for me, due to the same problem. This is because I have to confidently speak out or read of a board, which doesn’t always allow a coloured overlay. This then is another anxiety issue because I get worked up thinking I’ve messed up my grade and thinking everyone’s getting tired of my slow speak and stuttering. 

 

What helps you with it? 

Friends and family help me deal with the control of my emotions, by being caring and understanding for my issues. Going out with friends helps me a lot because it takes my mind off other things going on, like work and drama. My mum and my Grandad are the two id go to for any advice I need or feelings I might have. This is because they are the closest people to me and I know I can trust them with my life.  

 

Has it improved overtime? 

Yes. I definitely think I’ve improved overtime, and I think this is because I surround myself with loving and caring people who make my the happiest I’ve been in a long time. A few years ago, I couldn’t say people I loved and trusted, which did lead me to have a slip up, surrounded me. However now I’m older and can know whether someone is somebody you want close to you, it’s helped me develop as a person, and can be myself around them!! 

 

Have you gone to therapy for and why? 

 

When I was at my darkest place,(self- harming/suicide attempts), my mum referred me to my local GP where I had to explain why I did it, which was a really hard thing to talk about at the time, and again my mum reached out to her close friends asking what she should do to try help me. This is where they recommended calming/de-stress supplements. I took those for a few months, and I was such a great recommendation, because I was not as anxious as I was before. Once id been on those for a while, I started taking rescue remedy solution/ gummies. This wad around the time of taking my Mock exams at school, where again was a time to stress and worry about grades and your futures. However, taking this helped me relax during exams and not be worked up over little issues. Whether that being fall outs with friends/family, grades and just my overall emotional state.  

 

 

Emma Jones

What made you discover that you had anxiety?

I would bite my nails a lot in stressful and nerve-racking situations, my heart would beat faster, and palpitations would start to happen. I was very shy and would not interact with anyone and panic attacks became regular.

 

What triggers it?

What triggers it?

The main thing that triggers my anxiety is being in crowded places without the guidance of people I know. For example, if I am on a bus alone, I feel unsafe.

 

 

How does it affect you?

When my anxiety is triggered, I tend to have irrational thoughts and I am unable to ignore them. It also causes me to have panic attacks from time to time when the situation is especially stressful.

 

 

What helps you with it?

Music tends to help me with my anxiety. Especially on buses or crowded places as it puts my mind at ease. If having no music to listen to would be the case then I would try think about things that are contended.

 

 

Has it improved overtime?

It has in fact improved over time. Back in school I would fear interacting with anyone and would often have panic attacks. When I left I made new friends and became more confident in interacting with people and just became more confident with myself in general. I still have the occasional time where I feel shy, mainly when I am meeting new people, but I soon come out of my shell. It all just depends on the people I am surrounded by.

 

Have you gone to therapy for and why?

I have not been to therapy for my anxiety, but I have considered it. I find it quite hard to define my true emotions and usually just seeing my friends is therapeutic enough.

 

 

Haley Roberts

What made you discover that you had anxiety?

For me, I have always had anxiety but was told it was just my personality or my shyness. It is only since mental health has become more socially acceptable to talk about that I have realised my struggles is actually Generalised Anxiety Disorder or GAD.  I was also made aware that all of the unhealthy coping mechanisms that I acquired were unsuccessful attempts to control my anxiety.   

 

What triggers it?

Unfortunately for me there is sometimes no trigger. It can come on without warning or reason. Usually these anxiety attacks are more frequent if I have things to do or attend in the near future that are new or unfamiliar.   

 

How does it affect you?

Anxiety for me is something that builds up. I feel distracted, short tempered, upset, and angry and I just want to be alone. I cancel social interactions and I suffer panic attacks. 

 

What helps you with it?

I am yet to find anything that helps with my anxiety issues that is healthy, legal and sustainable. I have tried many things. It is a constant struggle to find something that works.

 

Has it improved overtime?

No it has not improved over time. I developed Ramsay Hunt syndrome last year and the medications I needed for pain really messed around my nervous system and I have been suffering frequent panic attacks and long bouts of anxiety.

 

Have you gone to therapy for and why?

In my quest to find something to ease my Anxiety problems I have gone to therapy. I went there as I am unable to find anything reliable to deal with anxiety. I did not find it helpful. I was unable to meditate and I am still unable to. I also found talking about things that are making me anxious, only made me feel worse. However I do have a very loving partner that helps me talk through things and break them down. I suppose if I did not have someone to help me lesson my anxiety, I would be more inclined to try again.

 

 

Leena Taylor

What made you discover that you had anxiety?

I discovered I had anxiety when I was  about 13 and I was in school, it started off when I was in big crowds of people and I felt overwhelmed and claustrophobic, it then started to progress into the slightest things such as speaking to people or even eating in front of people. Or having to do presentations. Ever since then it’s gotten worse and harder to control.

What triggers it?

My anxiety can get triggered from the slightest things to the most range things such as, going out, meeting people, been in public, social events, stress, trauma ect.

How does it affect you?

It affects me in many ways. The main effects are panic attacks, high temperatures, shaking, nausea and feeling dizzy. It stops me from going places and makes me stay in most of the time. I also have to cancel plans.

What helps you with it?

Medication definitely helps me and also therapy.

 

Has it improved overtime?

In my opinion it hasn’t gotten any better over time it’s just got worse and has made me have to go to the doctors and go on medication and have therapy ect…

 

Have you gone to therapy for and why?

Yes I’ve been to therapy, this is to learn to cope and deal with my anxiety and to try and overcome it. Mostly to talk about my problems and trauma and to help me express myself.

 

Katie Simpson

What made you discover that you had anxiety?

Struggled with MH for a while.  Started at 12/13 saw GP but they just said low mood.  Peaked age 16 and again at university.

What triggers it?

Feeling out of control. The unknown. Being tired, hungry, and unclean.

How does it affect you?

Feel much stressed sometimes it’s like my brain has shut down as there's just so much going on I can't think. And very grouchy, something so small I wouldn't think twice about it on a good day can ruin everything on a bad day and have me thinking about it all day. Affects whole life, make choices you wouldn't do otherwise. With decisions as well, indecisive.

What helps you with it?

Tending to care needs - sleep eat or wash alone helps. Being able to process the situation somewhere quiet and calm and return to deal with it when emotions are more regulated is helpful. Being mindful of time outside and time for something you enjoy.

 

Has it improved overtime?

Yes and no. Peaks and troughs I think it will never go away, but things are ok right now.

 

Have you gone to therapy for and why?

Yes

 

Saffron Wilson

What made you discover that you had anxiety?

I developed anxiety a couple of months into starting A-levels at Penistone Sixth Form due to the insufferable amounts of pressure put on students to consistently and unwaveringly excel in all subjects at all times, with unsustainably low levels of wellbeing support to balance mental health at the same time.

 

What triggers it?

My anxiety is rooted in feeling like I’m not good enough at doing / being something I feel like I should be good at immediately without any practice. This means I am easily triggered by people (who I want to impress or make proud of me, namely parents and teachers) who pressure me, tell me what I should or shouldn’t be doing, make me feel inadequate, are very hard and unforgiving of me. Being in situations where I feel judged by peers even if the judgement is only a manifestation of what my anxiety has brainwashed me to expect people to think about me (social anxiety aspect).

 

How does it affect you?

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

Tight chest and difficulty breathing properly, stomach in knots causing indigestion and nausea, and occasionally stomach pain when eating, fatigue.

 

MENTAL SYMPTOMS

Tendency to put unwarranted amounts of pressure on myself, sleep-anxiety-induced-insomnia, executive dysfunction (aka brain fog/chronic lack of motivation), difficulty focusing, short term memory issues (due to brain fog)

 

What helps you with it?

When anxious thoughts overcome my brain, it is extremely helpful to call and talk to someone I trust about what I’m feeling, even though talking about it technically doesn’t physically cure you in any way, it is a way of releasing and sharing the pain I’m experiencing. As suggested by a vast array of anxiety therapists worldwide, the simplest way to assist yourself with questioning anxious thoughts is to turn every negative thought you have towards yourself into a kind, more forgiving one, and put less pressure on yourself.

 

Has it improved overtime?

As I have now had anxiety for approximately 4 years, over this time I have inevitably found my own preferred coping mechanisms, distractions, and thought-deflection techniques to reduce anxiety and occasionally now experience long periods of time in which I experience little to no anxiety (2-3 months without anxiety attacks when I used to have them once a week in Sixth Form).

 

Have you gone to therapy for and why?

After several months of suffering anxiety, my mum decided to help me find a professional counsellor so that I could receive expert advice specific to my anxiety and what triggers me. As previously stated, her best recurring piece of advice was “be more kind to yourself”. These weekly counselling sessions helped me learn to prioritise my mental wellbeing over exam results, which improved my overall mood massively.

 

 

Harriet worthy

What made you discover that you had anxiety?

I have always been anxious about things from being a child then it got worse as I grew up. Through school I got horrendously bullied and was very alone.

 

What triggers it?

What triggers it is memories of being ditched or just memories of what people said as well as small changes.

 

How does it affect you?

I just live with it. I am used to it so have learnt to live with it.

 

What helps you with it?

It has improved since school but it is still there.

 

Has it improved overtime?

I have improved dramatically since school but it is still there.

 

Have you gone to therapy for and why?

I tried counselling and had no luck so have chosen to feel with it on my own.

 

Catie Lincoln

What made you discover that you had anxiety?

I couldn’t answer the phone in public, order my own food at a restaurant or answer questions in class. It caused me a lot of emotional distress when I was forced out of my comfort zone and began to affect me physically as well as just mentally.

 

What triggers it?

When I am in an unfamiliar environment or put on the spot, especially around people I do not know so I have no support.

 

How does it affect you?

Sometimes it causes anxiety attacks which cause tremors, elevated breathing and a tightness in my chest.

 

What helps you with it?

Removing myself from the situation and spending some time by myself helps me.

 

Has it improved over time?

Yes.

 

Have you gone to therapy for and why?

Yes, I did cognitive behavioural therapy with CAMHS where I gradually completed small tasks that I struggled with due to social anxiety. The more I did them, the more my anxiety lessened.

 

 

Regan Beever

What made you discover that you had anxiety?

Discovered to when I realised I couldn’t do certain things because it was stopping me.

 

What triggers it?

Doing new things.

 

How does it affect you?

It affects me because I can’t freely do what I want to when I want to I have to plan everything out before.

 

What helps you with it?

Unsure.

 

Has it improved overtime?

It has improved.

 

Have you gone to therapy for and why?

Been to the doctors about it because I couldn’t cope with it when it first started.

 

 

Shannon Hart

What made you discover that you had anxiety?

Started during school but the doctors just blamed it on school itself, it carried on, little triggers, eventually got worse, that I would throw up and go into rashes if I had to leave the house, I went to the doctors and they explained what I had and gave me medication and gave me ‘advice’, although there isn’t much advice you can give when you are terrified to leave the house.

What triggers it?

Little things like people biting their nails can make me have a panic attack, or even big things like someone looks at me in public and I instantly think they hate me and I look disgusting. Every time I lose something, I have calm myself down or I will have a panic attack and my anxiety is through the roof. As soon as I leave the house, say I’m sat on bus, my anxiety is so high, I might need to move or adjust my bags but my anxiety says no, I must stay still or everyone on the bus is going to turn around and laugh at me. Just about anything triggers my anxiety but some days its better and some days it’s worse.

How does it affect you?

Stops me from doing day to day activities sometimes, wearing the same clothes every day because I know how they feel on me and how they look on me and how they look to other people, I am terrified to do anything different because anxiety stops me. Anxiety does affect me but at the end of the day you just have to carry on, sometimes I will crawl into my bed and not want to leave the room.

What helps you with it?
Beta Blockers, breathing slowly, I was on a night out one time and my brain fogged that I was drunk but my anxiety was the highest, my eyes went blurry and couldn’t breathe at all, my boyfriend held my hands and calmed me down, deep breaths always help, and being held tightly. Another way if I’m at home and i feel an anxiety/ panic attack about to come on, I’ll go under my covers, and breath and close my eyes, tell myself it’ll be okay, but if I’m already having a panic attack I can’t have anything covering my face, or I’ll feel like I can’t breathe but if i can feel one coming on I’ll breath and close my eyes and then I lay down and watch YouTube, I have a massive comfort thing when it comes to certain you tubers and after having that attack just watching the same video again makes me feel so normal.

Has it improved overtime?
On and off, for a good 4 months (mid / end of year) it was like I didn’t even experience anxiety and it was absolutely great, and then a huge panic attack brings it all on and then a good week or day my anxiety is dreadful, I would say as I’ve matured and seen more of everything, it was improved a lot.

Have you gone to therapy for and why?
No, I haven’t, I don’t see how a person can help me get over my anxiety ha-ha, I see it as a one person mission and goal, others can help you through it but in the end it is your life, if I had trauma or anything else that I knew was to blame for my anxiety I would, but I’d rather not.

 

 

Reece Walton

 

 What made you discover that you had anxiety?

When we got to an age where we started going out and making spontaneous decisions and stuff, I felt a bit of dread mixed with the excitement more so than others and I noticed it a lot.

 

What triggers it?

Not much anymore, but mainly stuff that I know can have consequences if I’m not careful and I don’t always have the confidence in myself to choose wisely. Sometimes just the suggestion to meet up with someone is enough, other times it’s like not even there.

How does it affect you?

It can make early stages of a get together/occasion/change of plan quite tense and uncomfortable.

What helps you with it?

Braving through it when it hits really. I hide it quite well.

Has it improved overtime?

It’s definitely improved over time and even when it comes around, I’m an age where I can just wait it out and mile through it as it usually fades not long after a night out or get together is up and running.

Have you gone to therapy for and why?

No I haven’t had therapy, bot long after finishing school I started having little piss ups at friend’s house to keep in touch with them as long as I could. I realised that a couple drinks was enough to shake that shit feeling and I started focusing on going there for a drink rather than to see friends. Luckily I caught myself before I let it get too far but the good part about that is that it made me a good drinker aha. 

 

Alex Wilson

What made you discover that you had anxiety?

I knew I had it when I was 11 and started getting a funny feeling in my stomach about everything.

What triggers it?

Big crowds trigger it and also being in places I don’t really know.

How does it affect you?

It affects me massively because it stops me doing things that I would do every day.

What helps you with it?

Tapping my fingers together, music, being with friends and family

Has it improved overtime?

No it hasn’t improved if anything it has gotten worse.

Have you gone to therapy for and why?

 

Adam Akhtar

What made you discover that you had anxiety?

In certain situations, I started to feel anxious and nervous, whereas is the same situation in the past, I wouldn’t feel these factors. These factors would also cause heavy breathing. Health and well-being at Barnsley college confirmed I was suffering from ‘mild anxiety’ after completing a survey about anxiety.

What triggers it?

Uncertainly was a common factor. Not knowing something about a situation that I was getting myself into, would cause feeling nervous etc. Arguments would also cause me to overthinking and breakdown, because I couldn’t handle confrontation, whereas in the past I could.

How does it affect you?

Keeping calm, relaxed, and composed. Listening to music. Trying to not panic. All these coping mechanisms helped me.

What helps you with it?

It has improved over time. My confident around people has grown. I don’t overthink anymore and is confrontations, I can stand my ground without causing myself to breakdown.

Has it improved overtime?

My anxiety did improve overtime. However, it was a slow process. I would remove myself from situations where it would cause my anxiety to peak, I was reduced the amount of alcohol to stop overthinking as much & I did things which would keep me relaxed. Gaming, seeing friends or watching TV etc. However, just because those helped me, doesn’t mean it would help someone else. People suffer differently, but thankfully those methods helped me

Have you gone to therapy for and why?

I did seek therapy, I had counselling for weeks, which helped a lot. I never got given any form of medication, but counselling and finding own coping mechanisms helped.

 

Harry Lathe

What made you discover that you had anxiety?

My physical symptoms became apparent, and I did some research into anxiety and found out I had it.

 

What triggers it?

I have lots of triggers, being at home, being in large groups, going out of my comfort zone and doing things I haven’t done before.

 

How does it affect you?

It affects me badly, but it’s improved slightly recently, it’s constantly affecting me and it’s hard to escape it.

 

What helps you with it?

I have a few things which help but doing things I’m comfortable with eases the symptoms.

 

Has it improved overtime?

Yes, it’s improved overtime, but it’s not been easy to cope with it.

 

Have you gone to therapy for and why?

I go to therapy but it’s not entirely for that though.

 

 

Anorexia nervosa

Agata Kleba

What caused it for you?

Little sarcastic or non-sarcastic comments of “got a little belly there”, “should hit the gym”, “cut down on that”, etc.  

How did it start?

My thoughts began to take on the image that other people created. I began to see myself in a mirror as the person that people created with those comments rather than who I really was, it made me begin to doubt how to be me and who I was.  

How did it affect you’re day to day life?

I began to isolate myself from my closest friends and family. I would sit in my room refusing to get out of bed unless it was for school. I was watching everything I ate, in school I’d been my lunch or “forget” to bring one, I was pretending to eat at the dinner table with my family and when they left I’d bin the food or give it to my dog rather than eat it myself and it didn’t seem to be enough. 

Have you gotten better overtime?

Yes, it was a long and difficult journey when I began to realise I needed help. My best friend was my motivation, I aspired to try and be good for her, I needed to be strong to help my friends and in a strange way that helped me. She made me believe there was something more to me than what I looked like. 

 

What helped you?

My best friend. She was the one who believed and trusted in me when nobody else could. It was then that I realised I didn’t need validation from anybody but those that I care about and hearing the simple words of “I’m here to talk” and “I love you” or just “are you ok?”. It was a really big help, just knowing that I wasn’t on my own.  

 

Did you see specialist about it?

No, there was a case where I had to go to the hospital but I refused to get help for it, I hadn’t seen that there was a problem with my thoughts and feelings no matter how much they tried to convince me. At the end of the day, I found my way of dealing with it and years of therapy was not it, my friends were my support and that’s what I needed for reassurance in order to make me better. 

 

Have you recovered?

I don’t believe there is such a thing as full recovery from such a disorder. You can relapse anytime and anywhere, no matter what you do. I do think it’s important to keep yourself surrounded by people who love you and support you. You need time to yourself and it makes an impact if you take it, make sure to talk about it to those you’re extremely close to, there’s no point in hiding it and allow you’re sad story to be an insecurity.  

 

Catie Lincoln

What caused it for you?

People around me were constantly focused on my weight and appearance.

 

How did it start?

Initially I restricted my diet without conscious intention then when I lost weight and started getting compliments I purposely restricted my eating.

 

How did it affect your day to day life?

All of my thoughts were about food and trying to hide it from my family. I developed anaemia, had hair loss, I was always cold and prone to dizzy spells. I had to stop doing PE at school and therefore didn’t get a GCSE in it.  I would weigh myself every morning and night and counted my calories.

 

Have you gotten better over time?

Yes, I can eat without guilt now.

 

What helped you?

Seeing my family’s reactions when I was admitted to hospital I realised that I was hurting them and it made me realise that it wasn’t worth it. I was dangerously underweight and it made me realise the severity of the situation.

 

Did you see specialist about it?

Yes, I was initially referred to Camhs for my eating disorder.

 

Have you recovered?

Mentally, yes to an extent, however I don’t think that it is something that you can 100% recover from, the effects will always be there. Physically, I have gained the weight and I no longer fixate on it or the way that my body looks however my eating disorder has had long lasting effects on my physical state, for example the dizziness and my inability to exercise.

 

Depression

Catie Lincoln  

Where did it begin?

I can’t think of a specific trigger for it but it started after I moved out of my childhood home, before that everything was fine.

How did it start?

It started as little voices in the back of my mind, listening to what other people would say and bringing myself down.

How did it affect your day to day life?

Dark thoughts are constantly nagging at the back of your mind, it doesn’t allow you to fully enjoy the happy moments.

Did you see specialists about it?

Yes, I was diagnosed with clinical depression a while after I was referred to Camhs for my eating disorder.

 

What helped you?

I was prescribed anti-depressants alongside my therapy in which I learned to replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts.

 

Alex Wilson

Where did it begin?

My depression also started when I was 11 it stared because of the voice inside my head and it just put me down all the time so I stayed to develop depression from it.

 

 yes I’ve been seeing people about it since I was 15 and this lead to me being admitted into 5 different mental health hospitals which were one of the worst experience of my life, the things that help me are really bad I like to self-harm but cutting, making myself sick or tying things round my neck and chocking myself till I pass out, the thing that triggered it was something my dad did when I was younger

How did it start?

It started when I was in year 6 and something quite significant happened in my life and that’s where the voice came from also developing the depression

How did it affect your day to day life?

It affects me so much because it puts things in my head that I don’t want there like suicidal thoughts and self-harm thoughts most of the time I act on the thoughts and try and kill myself or cut badly and have to go to hospital

Did you see specialists about it?

yes I’ve been seeing people about it since I was 15 and this lead to me being admitted into 5 different mental health hospitals which were one of the worst experience of my life, the things that help me are really bad I like to self-harm but cutting, making myself sick or tying things round my neck and chocking myself till I pass out,

What helped you?

Seeing friends and family, listening to music.

What triggered it?

The thing that triggered it was something my dad did when I was younger

 

Adam Akhar

Where did it begin?

It began after my great grandma passed away. It was my first family passing and it shocked my brain so much, it caused me to be depressed, which followed by many falling outs with close friends.

How did it start?

It impacting me so much. I wasn’t talkative, energetic, happy, confident and ambitious etc. It took a toll on my college life as well as personal. Friends, family and tutors realised I wasn’t myself and it was evident. I would sleep through the day and stay away all night because I didn’t want to interact with people. I would listen to sad music. I would socialise with friends, either online or in person. My college work ethic dropped. I lot purpose of life. I developed a drinking problem, rather than drinking for special occasions, I would drink for no reasons and make myself be sick. Rather than having 2 cans of beer, I would be having 7+ cans 5 days a week. Drinking made me emotional and basically beg for help, but I felt like nobody could hear, making me self-harm. I would hide the scars because I didn’t want anyone knowing. I would walk in the dark, look up to the sky and cry because I missed my grandma lots, speaking to her and apologising for my behaviour.

How did it affect your day to day life?

After attempting to take my own life (3 years after it started) I saw my GP and mental health nurse and they prescribed me some anti-depressants and vitamin tablets because my blood test results came back not good. I took the anti-depressants for months and they stopped myself from self-harming.

Did you see specialists about it?

Unsure.

What helped you?

Sad music would feel lyrics would also trigger my depression, again because it would make me reflect my past. ‘In order to help myself, I did the opposite of the factors to triggered it. I would reduce to amount I would drink. Meaning I would only drink for special occasions, rather than when I was bored. However, even when I would drink for special occasions, I would either force myself or ask someone else to watch how much I drink, making sure I don’t drink too much, incase I trigger something that I’ll regret. Again, with the music, I’ve always been known for listening to upbeat, energetic, and happy music. Meaning I wanted to be that person again, so rather than listening to sad music to either make myself sad or because I felt sad, I would go back to my roots and listen to what I was known for. On Spotify, I have endless playlists which help my depression, from various music genres which help me so much. These days, I can listen to sad music where it doesn’t make me sad, which is a sign that my depression has improved. Reducing the amount of time on social media helps, purely because I don’t see all the negativity on Facebook & other social media platforms etc, meaning I don’t see topics which would make me feel upset etc. I found that these methods helped, because it meant I could focus on myself, rather than others. As much I admire my friends etc, I had to spend some time away to rebuild myself and enable myself to be mentally stable. These days, I mainly use my Instagram for mental health and positive quotes, which I post them on my story. To help myself/others.’

 

What triggered it?

My depression was triggered through multiple reason. The fact I had depression and anxiety at the same time, it made me react to my depression even worse, meaning it didn’t take much of a reason for me to feel sad etc. If I got a bad college grade, friends falling out, someone could’ve been sarcastic towards me and I wouldn’t realise they were sarcastic, meaning it would’ve made me feel sad and upset. Drinking played a factor, because it would make me reflect all the regrets and bad decisions that I made in the past, since I would reflect, it would trigger emotional breakdowns where I would isolate myself and cry.

 

Katie Simpson

Where did it begin?

Probably a similar age to anxiety.  They were both diagnosed at the same time didn’t enjoy the move to grammar school so may have started then.

 

How did it start?

Made it difficult in school and socially as lacked motivation. Strained relationships with family.

How did it affect your day to day life?

Saw community mental health team members and was passed through different people with different roles but had no success.

 

Did you see specialists about it?

No comment.

 

What helped you?

No comment.

 

What triggered it?

No comment.

 

Agata Kleba

Where did it begin?

When I began going to school I began hearing comments about being polish and strange because I wasn’t English. It was just the little comments about my name and stuff from Poland’s history like “hit the showers” or “you belonged in the gas chambers”.       

How did it start?

When people began to make comments on my background because of my ethnicity I began to think less of myself. I didn’t feel like a person who belonged with everyone in the school or here at all. I didn’t feel like I was wanted and wanted to end things before I could see anything on the right side of things. 

 

How did it affect your day to day life?

I didn’t want to speak to anyone, I was scared that because I didn’t belong that no one would like me. I felt like the world hated me and as if my life wasn’t worth living. I wouldn’t leave my room, I wouldn’t talk to anyone because I was scared of their reactions and I would only talk to my family. 

 

Did you see specialists about it?

Yes, I went to see a therapist, I had to have a counselling session 2 days per week for an hour each time.  

 

What helped you?

I met someone who accepted the fact that I was polish. I was helped by the people around me accepting me for me and telling me it was nothing to be ashamed of. My friends and family said it was a good thing and called me cool for being polish and how I could speak 2 languages made me a lot more unique. It made me feel great about my ethnicity and now I express it with a lot of passion. 

 

What triggered it?

No comment. 

 

Leena Taylor

Where did it begin?

It began after I left school when I was in my head constantly overthinking and struggling with my thoughts.

 

How did it start?

It started with my anxiety which then made my mental health 10x worse and having anxiety made me stay in more which made me constantly overthinking.

 

How did it affect your day to day life?

It affected my day to day life by giving me no motivation to get out of bed or interact with the people I love. It ranged from the slightest thing such as not getting out of bed or making food. Even going outside.

 

Did you see specialists about it?

Yes I saw multiple professionals about it such as councillors and GP’s.

 

What helped you?

The things that help me are been around the people I love such as my family and friends. Going on walks and been outdoors in general, hobby’s also help such as colouring or painting ect..

 

What triggered it?

I think childhood trauma and bullying was the main problems which resulted in low moods and overthinking.

 

Haley Roberts

Where did it begin?

I was first diagnosed at 23 years old. However it began for me when I was 15.  

 

How did it start?

It started in high school. At the time I thought it was caused by bullying that I suffered that triggered it but as it continued and got worse in my 20's I realised that I should seek help to manage it.  

 

How did it affect your day to day life?

The first 12 years were very hard because this was about 10-15 years ago and was not something that was accepted or spoken about. I was made to feel like I should just cope and told "your fine, what have you got to be depressed about". This made my condition worse as I couldn't work out what was wrong with me because they were right!  I did have a great life and there was nothing wrong. So I developed unhealthy coping mechanisms and I learned to hide the first 12 years of my condition very well. However It wasn’t' until I matured and sought help and it was explained to me that Depression is not just situational. It can be a chemical imbalance. It can be a deficiency, it can be hereditary. 

 

Did you see specialists about it?

In high school I had sessions with the school counsellor, however I was told to stop doing that and stop being silly and dramatic. This made me start to hide my condition and I got very good at it. I felt ashamed and silly for seeking help.  However, now I can now see why the counsellor was not in my best interests. Because my depression was a chemical imbalance and not a situational issue. I was asked to dig deep and talk about anything in my past that may be contributing to my depression. The things I spoke about as a 15 year old with the counsellor really had nothing to do with how I felt and I was just looking for reasons for my feelings, to please the councillor as we were getting nowhere and I am a people pleaser. (I'm working on that ha-ha) I have seen psychologists also for my condition but it is mostly managed by my GP.

 

What helped you?

Medication is the only thing that helps. It is not a cure for me but it helps me manage it.

 

What triggered it?

I don't think I had a situation that triggered my condition. I believe I have a hereditary disposition for chemical imbalance and it manifested during my teenage years.

 

 

PTSD

Emily Fowler

What made you realise you have it?

I found it hard to enjoy the things I’ve loved doing for most of my life. I played football for the majority of my life and stopped attending training sessions because I couldn’t get out of bed. I also struggled at school and had to call my parents to pick me up early and sometimes wouldn’t attend at all. It also became apparent that I struggled with loud banging noises and would start to feel overwhelmingly panicked in the presence of too many people.

 

Have you see a specialist for it?

I have seen 3 people for it but the majority of my work was with the 3rd. She was a psychotherapist who specialised in cognitive behavioural therapy

 

How is it triggered?

It was triggered by the Manchester terror attack in which I witnessed the sound of the bomb and saw traumatic injuries and panic.

 

People with no mental illnesses

Caitlin Jones

How would you help someone suffering?

I’d make sure to comfort them when they’re feeling upset. I’d try to help them communicate their feelings and why they’re feeling that way without pressuring them. I also would check up on them whenever I could whether that is through text messaging, video calling or meeting up in person for a quick chat.

 

Do you know the different types of mental illness, if yes name them?

I am aware of the ‘popular’ mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. I feel that there are a lot of mental illnesses that people aren’t aware of and I think we need to try educate people more so that they can be aware of them and see if anyone close to them has signs of them

 

Does anyone close to you have mental illness issues?

I have had friends that do suffer with depression and anxiety. For example, one of my best friends suffered with social anxiety and when we went out, I would have to help her order her food as she was too anxious to do it herself. I had one incident in high school where my friend who I’m not close with anymore had really bad depression which led to a suicide attempt. I think that we all have people around us who are suffering, whether that’s openly or quietly.

 

Tommy Barnett

How would I help someone suffering from mental illnesses?

Assuming that the person is close to me then I’d happily help them out, as those who have mental health issues are often encouraged to speak out about their problems, so I would feel quite honoured if they wanted me to be that person. I would check on them often through messages and calls, seeing if they feel better or worse and asking if I could do anything to help them. I think you can tell how someone is feeling simply by how they talk, their body language and enthusiasm. On top of that, viewing their recent social media posts and stories is another good way to see how someone’s feeling. If I see someone, I care about posting content that makes me concerned for them, I talk to them about it if they want to.

In conclusion I would happily help someone who had mental health issues, I want to be there for someone I love. Maybe it’s just because I don’t have a relationship and haven’t for years.

 

What different types of mental illnesses do I know?

Off the top of my head, I can think of a few, I’ll start with depression, which often changes how you think, act, and feel, often for the worse. It can also damage enthusiasm for doing activities that the person may or may not have enjoyed before suffering from depression.

There’s also PTSD, which I’m pretty sure is caused by traumatic events that have happened in the past and still effect the victim. It’s very common among military personnel who have seen combat first-hand. Because of this, PTSD was originally called shell shock, and would often result in what’s known as a 1,000-yard stare.

Anxiety is one of the better-known mental illnesses, and I can see it being one of the harder ones to cure. Anxiety is a feeling of fear and worry caused by something that’s out of your control. It’s not hard to come up against something that could make you anxious and I can say almost everyone has felt it before, but not everyone has a diagnosed condition thankfully.

Lastly, I’ll mention schizophrenia, which is long-term mental disorder that can have a heavy impact on behaviour, emotions, and perceptions on what’s real and what’s not. This often causes delusions and results in a false sense of reality. The mental illness is shown well in the TV show In My Skin, which I recommend.

 

Does anyone close to me have mental illness issues?

Not that I know of, there used to be a girl called Caitlin who was diagnosed with depression some years ago. As a result, she got her covid jab early and would talk to me about how she was feeling. However, that was some time ago, I don’t know anyone with mental illnesses now, or maybe I’m oblivious to the signs.

 

Morgan Pepper

How would you help someone suffering?

Listen to them and understand what they’re telling you without judgement, encourage them to talk to people and think about therapies etc. but only if they’re comfortable with that.

Do you know the different types of mental illness, if yes name them?

I don’t know them all but I know there are mood, personality, anxiety and psychotic disorders.

Does anyone close to you have mental illness issues?

Not that I know of.