Each week we publish blog posts on a whole range of topics, relating in some way to mental health — written by Mind staff, service users and health and policy professionals. Some blog posts may not reflect official Mind policy.
We welcome comments and questions on our posts, but have a few ground rules to keep the site welcoming and interesting to every body. The first rule is the most important: be respectful of other commenters and bloggers.
Following the publication of our updated information on personality disorders, our Information Officer, Katherine, blogs about an inspiring visit to the support organisation Emergence.
I would not have anticipated coming away from a day on personality disorders feeling taller and with a spring in my step, but that is what happened.
Start the discussionAmy blogs about the experiences that led to her diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, and why the stigma surrounding it makes it so hard to open up. Please be aware that this post includes discussion of suicidal thoughts.
23 CommentsSarah opens up about her postnatal mental health problems and the distressing and confusing feelings she had for her infant daughter. She wants to tackle the taboo around such difficult feelings.
Whenever I read in the news about a mum who has killed her child, I can’t help but think “that could have been me.” When I think about my daughter and the last time we saw each other; smiling, laughing, playing, singing, hugging, I find myself asking if our secret past ever actually happened? Did I really try to smother her when she was a baby?
Despite achieving success in her job and having the support of an understanding manager, our guest blogger Natalie still finds the need to put on a brave face at work.
2 CommentsAgata, who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, tells her story and describes the comfort art has brought to her life.
6 CommentsEven sympathetic employers sometimes find it hard to understand mental health problems. This guest blog vividly illustrates some of the barriers to disclosing a mental health problem at work, on the same day Mind and the CIPD release new guidance for employers.
Here’s the thing. I have a complex mental condition. Here’s the other thing. I have worked in a challenging and responsible job since 2002. My caseload includes a number of clients with the same mental health disorder as me.
So when I was assessed and finally diagnosed just 10 months ago, I decided that I would be open and honest with my employers about the nature of my ‘issues’. Given that I had taken considerable time off since 2007, as I struggled with what then was an unknown problem, I believed that this would be the most productive way forward.
17 CommentsThis is a guest post from Laura, as part of our series of blogs to celebrate the arts exhibition and festival Mindful and our new creative therapies fund.
I would be lying if I said I was enthusiastic about art therapy in the first instance. The assessment came after my fourth referral to the mental health services. Aged twenty-one, I had seen a string of therapists and psychiatrists and had unsuccessfully attempted to manage my diagnoses of anxiety, depression and borderline personality disorder without intervention.
6 CommentsThis is a guest post by Sharon and part of our series on the shortlist for Mind’s 2011 Book of the year awards.
I have been reading a few books, biographies and reference books, related to borderline personality disorder in order to better understand my own diagnosis. This is the first book I have read that isn’t ‘word’ heavy.
6 CommentsGuest post from Daniel about chanelling his experience of BPD through photographyBorderline Personality Disorder – for those who are unaware – is a mental health condition thought to affect approximately 2 per cent of the population. Its primary feature of emotion dysregulation can have drastic effects on the lives of its sufferers and can lead to long-term misery without a diagnosis.
18 CommentsThis is a guest blog by Sharon Howard.
I have just completed my second week back at work after my latest BPD crisis. Making the step to return to work was a difficult one. I was terrified of not being able to cope; what people would think of me (many of the people I work with know why I was off, my BPD is 'out-of'-the-bag' so to speak) and just the whole process of working in general. But, I had to do it; I knew this since I first handed in my sick note in April.
48 CommentsGuest post from Glen, on the difference one caring mental health professional can make.
In 2009 I moved to London and to the care of a new support worker at the local Community Mental Health Team (CMHT). Annie was my third support worker that year, but she was amazing from the start.
33 CommentsThis guest blog is part of our series on mental health at work for Mind's Taking care of business campaign.
Long before I even knew the name of the condition I was living with, I was acutely aware of how I just didn’t seem to ‘fit’ in the workplace.
During my working life I have tried everything from office desk jobs to working as a full time musician (and everything inbetween), which might seem quite random, but fits perfectly with my diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.
37 CommentsDoes a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, or antisocial personality disorder mean someone has ‘zero empathy’? Are they naturally ‘capable of inflicting physical and psychological harm on others and are unmoved by the plight of those they hurt’? According to Simon Baron-Cohen it does, as outlined in this article in The Independent published last week. Baron-Cohen is professor of developmental psychopathology at the University of Cambridge who makes these claims in his book Zero Degrees of Empathy.
38 CommentsThis is a guest post by Kayla Kavanagh — a professional musician and a mental health advocate.
If I were to tell you that I had an illness that affected only 2% of the population, and which killed 1 in 10 of those who had it - what would your reaction be? And how would that reaction change when I told you that it was a mental illness known as borderline personality disorder?
19 Comments