Disability

“Triggered” – Why I Wish People Would Stop Misusing Terms

As a trainee therapist I was often met with negative comments about my “resilience” if I was “triggered” about particular terms – but I don’t think that is fair. As a human being I have thoughts and feelings. Just because I am a therapist, it doesn’t remove that sense of humanity.

Spoonies, Chronic Illness and Disability

The media – namely the Daily Mail – has been alive once again with attacks on the disabled community. This has come following a new book from JK Rowling with some focus on the “spoonie” community.

World Mental Health Day

Today is World Mental Health Day. I suppose it’s natural for me to want to put out a post about it – I’m a trainee therapist with lived experiences of mental illness. I don’t think that mental health is something we should only speak about on one day of the year, but I do thinkContinue reading “World Mental Health Day”

Suicide and Suicidal Ideation

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day – an internationally recognised day to prevent suicide. I don’t like days like this, because it suggests that we should only focus on it for one day – but nonetheless, it is important to do so. I have personal experience with suicide and suicidal ideation. I will only discuss my own story in this post, out of respect of the survivors that I know and their right to privacy.

Trusting in a Therapist: Disclosure of a Sensitive Subject

My therapist suggested that I try to draw or write about what my condition looks like to me.

The Spoons Are All Gone

live with a chronic illness and disability. Over the years I have come to discover more about myself and how to communicate my needs with others. Several years ago I discovered the Spoon Theory, But You Don’t Look Sick, by Christine Miserandino. This incredible theory explains how an individual with a Chronic Illness starts with say 10 spoons a day. Each spoon represents a task that uses energy. Whilst someone without an illness may have double the number of spoons, you have to limit what you do that day to prevent you running out of energy.

My Experiences with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is something very close to me, and I would argue, one of my most challenging aspects of myself – not just for me, but those that live with me. A few years ago I processed my feelings around my diagnosis with OCD, alongside the many misconceptions and stigma’s that came with it. I’ve tweaked it slightly, and you can read it below.