mental health
A blog about mental health, including depression, stress, post-natal depression and premenstrul syndrome and association conditions.
3 Aug
Stress Chest Pain & Natural Remedies to Help
Although anxiety is a mental concept, it can have a significant impact on the physical body. Our breath becomes more shallow, we may start sweating and even become nauseous and jittery. One frightening but well recognised symptom of anxiety and …
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7 May
The art of staying resilient during social distancing
It’s totally normal to feel demotivated and a bit upside down during these times. There are lots of ways to help get you motivated and back on form again. Here are my tips for creating good days and lifting myself …
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5 May
Toxic aluminium link with autism and Alzheimer’s – latest research
Toxic aluminium link with autism and Alzheimer’s – latest research
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22 Apr
Air pollution linked to mental health issues
Air pollution linked to mental health issues
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8 Apr
8 tips for beating isolation
Social distancing is absolutely crucial if we’re to beat coronavirus – we all know that. But going for days and weeks without seeing our friends and family is hard and lonely. As we cross roads to avoid walking too near …
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10 Mar
Aluminium and fluoride in tap water raises risk of dementia – scientific research from Scotland
New scientific research has revealed a greater risk of dementia in people drinking tap water in Scotland loaded with aluminium and fluoride. The research concluded that higher levels of aluminium and fluoride were related to dementia risk in a …
Continue ReadingPosted in 50+ & life, dementia, general health, men's health, mental health, women's health
3 Mar
27 Feb
Having trouble getting all your MICRO and MACRO NUTRIENTS cleanly?
?Have you tried MICRO ALGAE??As well as containing Proteins, Lipids, and Carbohydrates, it’s also a powerhouse of Vitamins A C & E, various B Vitamins, and minerals Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, and Iodine.?THE BENEFITS✔️I use Micro Algae in place of …
Continue ReadingPosted in anxiety, cancer, general health, men's health, mental health, mental wellbeing, nutrition, sleep, weight, women's health
26 Feb
The importance of hydration
Now that exercising has become a social status symbol and there are so many people training for the very first time in their lives just to look good and compete with the “Joneses”, it is interesting to realise how the …
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5 Jan
How to reach your health goals this year
Whether you’re looking to lose weight, give up smoking, or just try something new, New Year’s Resolutions are tough! According to statistics, most people who set resolutions were likely to give up by 12th January. Here are some tips to …
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2 Jan
Top tips for beating the January blues
January can be a difficult time. Once the festive season is over, there are still two solid months left of dark, cold days to endure. For many of us, January is also a time where we feel our worst, and …
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29 Nov
How to better look after your health this Christmas
It’s the most wonderful time of year but Christmas can be difficult for those of us with mental and physical health issues. Here are some of our top tips for looking after yourself and making sure you have a merry …
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25 Nov
Self Care Twitter Chat Highlights
To mark Self Care Week (18-24 November 2019) we hosted a live Self Care Twitter Chat, where individuals and organisations were invited to discuss self-care routines, mental health issues and more. We received a massive response, reaching over 119,817 views …
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25 Nov
Self-compassion and kindness
A conversation I had with a recently arrived graduate in London inspired me to write this blog post. As it happens, this newbie reminded me of how, at some stage, it becomes so easy in London to lose track of …
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12 Nov
Key findings of the Health Profile for England report
The Health Profile for England report was published in September 2018 and is a comprehensive report covering life expectancy, major causes of death, mortality trends, child health, inequality in health, wider determinants of health and current health protection issues. The data and …
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6 Nov
5 effective ways to prevent loneliness this winter
According to a recent study, lonely people who suffer with heart problems are up to three times more likely to die one year after being hospitalised and discharged. However, it’s not just those with heart problems that are affected. Loneliness …
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25 Oct
5 easy ways to get active during winter
Darker mornings and evenings, freezing cold weather and constant rain all make it very difficult to motivate ourselves into staying fit and healthy during winter. If you’re struggling to stay inspired to stick to a fitness regime, or would just …
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15 Oct
How Anxiety Arrived With the Menopause
Anxiety is one of the most common symptoms of the menopause, yet it’s not one that is immediately associated with this period of change during a woman’s midlife. When you think of the menopause, you probably think of hot flushes. …
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10 Oct
How to look after your mental health
As today is World Mental Health Day and this week is Mental Health Awareness week, we wanted to share with you a few ways that can really help improve your mental health. Mental health is something that affects lots of …
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27 Sep
How to overcome autumn anxiety
This week marked the official start to autumn and for many of us, the change in season brings lots of new changes and challenges. The days get shorter, which means less sunlight and vitamin D, and the weather gets colder …
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27 Sep
7 reasons you have brain fog & what to do
Brain fog is a term you may have used before to describe a moment where you forget what you were saying or doing but it could be a symptom of a more serious medical condition. Brain fog can be associated …
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20 Sep
Antidepressants, students & mental health care, sugar tax & tea-drinking benefits
Missed out on all the latest health news this week? Catch up now… Most common antidepressant does little to relieve depression symptoms New research suggests that the most common antidepressant actually does little to relieve symptoms of depression. The largest …
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17 Sep
Advocacy at the doctors
“Do something your future self will be thankful for,” -unknown Imagine, two individuals, experiencing similar chronic health issues go to the doctor’s office. The first one roughly explains their symptoms, doesn’t feel prepared, is in a deep desire for relief, …
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6 Sep
Diet drink risks, suicide rates, vegans & strokes & more
Check out our health roundup, featuring all the latest health news from this week. Two diet drinks a day can increase death risk by 26% Consuming two or more diet drinks a day can increase your chances of dying by …
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30 Aug
The Importance of Magnesium
According to the Mental Health Foundation, these days more than 32% of people in the UK keep thinking about work all the time, ¼ actually places their own personal health at risk just to meet deadlines and 1/5 believes that …
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23 Aug
Dealing with Stress – How to prevent anxiety from ruining important relationships
Chronic stress is a bummer. It can have a devastating effect on the body. It can lead to low energy, loss of libido, stomach problems, headaches, insomnia and more. Not only will the body be an absolute wreck when experiencing …
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19 Aug
Daily wellbeing practice in setting boundaries for greater self compassion, respect, and happiness
?????♂️???♀️??? “Daring to set boundaries is about the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.” – Brene Brown ? I am learning to love and accept who I am right now. It is a practice I have been …
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12 Aug
? Anxiety ?
? As a sufferer of Anxiety my whole life, I have learned and practiced some affective strategies that have enabled me to overcome the fear-based personality that was once stopping me from living a happy and free life, and reaching …
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5 Aug
What does abundance mean to you? ???✨??
To me it means knowing we are totally in control of our own health & happiness. ? A mindset that always sees the best in every situation, whether it brings an abundance of joy or teaching us to grow through …
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30 Jul
Simple steps for growing your daily wellbeing & long term happiness
? Know what your body needs to heal & meal prep in advance to make it easier for you to stay on track. ? Drink plenty of water daily. Take a thermos with you so you can fill with hot …
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30 Jul
Going Vegan? ?
You may already know of the many benefits of going Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Flexitarian; ? To name a few: * Better digestion * Improved metabolism * Improved energy levels * Improved circulation * Healthy weight loss * Improved detoxification ability …
Continue ReadingPosted in arthritis, bowel, cancer, coeliac disease, complementary treatments, diabetes, dry skin, eating disorders, fertility & infertility, general health, heart disease, hypothyroid, Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS, liver disease, men's health, mental health, mental wellbeing, nutrition, pain, skin, Stress management, talkhealth, thyroid disorders, weight, women's health
26 Jul
Supermarkets & obesity, baby health visits, MS scans & more
We hope you enjoyed the hot weather this week and managed to stay safe in the sun. Here are our top health stories for this week. Are supermarkets designed to make us fat? The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) …
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19 Jul
NHS Texting Results, Skin Cancer Rates, Child Mental Health & More
Have you missed out on the health news this week? Catch up now. In other news, we’ve heard the weather is set to turn this weekend so have your umbrellas at the ready! NHS plans to text patients results The …
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18 Jul
Tips to begin reducing stress, anxiety, and pain, naturally
Did you know? ???????? ———————————- Did you know Magnesium is one of the most important nutrients we require to function? . Magnesium is responsible for over 300 enzyme systems that regulate important biochemical reactions in the body. Its most important …
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3 Jun
Trauma in childhood can affect your health
In the mid 90s a team of researchers from a private healthcare company in America made a startling discovery. They asked over 17,000 people about their experiences of abuse and trauma in childhood, and followed them over 15 years. They …
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8 May
Living with Depression
Depression is a severe mental disorder and usually is not taken very seriously. For the majority, depression is almost the same thing as being sad. However, a person with depression knows the difference. Living with depression is one of the …
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30 Apr
Chronic Illness and Eating Disorders
Potential trigger(s): Please note I will be talking variables of eating disorders When eating disorders come to mind, for most, people think of the most common like anorexia and bulimia. Eating disorders like these, stem from a psychological disturbance. Whether …
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5 Apr
Ways to Cope with the Struggles of Depression and Anxiety
WAYS TO COPE WITH THE STRUGGLES OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY According to mental health specialists, depression and anxiety are two disorders that have become an increasing public health problem. In the last several years, numerous studies have concluded that more …
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1 Apr
Mental Health and IBS
Hello again beautiful people, it has been some time since I have uploaded. My life has been busy with college classes, dance, and juggling my health. None the less, I appreciate being a blogger for talkhealth. I am grateful for …
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28 Mar
Apple Watch ECG, Tampon Tax Fund, Wine Cancer Risks & More
Have you not had time to catch up on all the latest health news this week, 29th March? Don’t worry! We’ve summarised some of the key stories for you. Drinking one bottle of wine causes the same cancer risks as …
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22 Feb
Health round up – exercise & weight loss, asthma & young people, PTSD
This week in the news about health (22 February 2019) we look at exercise and weight loss, young deaths in the UK from asthma and PTSD in young people. Short bursts of exercise is good for weight loss According to …
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12 Feb
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Never Enough: The Narcissist’s Insatiable Curse If you have gotten to know a person with narcissism, you are bound to recall how you felt during and after your interactions with them. Not all narcissists are alike. But the term does …
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8 Feb
Genes & depression, mobile phones & children, meat consumption and talkhealth’s FREE well-being programme’s launched!
This week in health (8 February 2019) some of the key stories are summarised below. And to help with your overall health and well-being, we’ve launched mywellbeing this week – a FREE support programme for anyone wanting to improve their physical …
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17 Jan
How to have a healthier commute
A daily commute can sometimes take a toll on your physical and mental health. In this post for talkhealth, I will be sharing some helpful tips on how to have a healthier and happier commute. Be more active If your …
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11 Jan
NHS health plan, HRT, mental health, pollution, fibre & more
11 January 2019 – this week in health Each week, we look at the key health news. Below are just some of the health stories for this week. Find out quickly about the NHS long-term plan, HRT, mental health, asthma …
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20 Dec
Super advice from our Ask the Expert session on work/life balance
Work/life balance is probably underrated as a major factor in people’s mental wellbeing. The truth is that some people thrive on working long, hard hours and some people don’t. In contrast, some people want to work more than they currently …
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12 Dec
Ménière’s: What I’ve learnt …
Ménière’s has been like a rollercoaster ride that has scooped me up and flung me about and turned me upside down. I’m currently in the middle of a relapse and I can’t work, but I wanted to write a positive …
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4 Dec
Girl with a story about her nine-year struggle with anorexia on Kickstarter
To have anorexia is not a fad, it’s not your decision – which is what many people mistakenly believe. This is a serious psychological disorder that, in this particular category, has one of the highest mortality rates. No one wants …
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19 Nov
Improving Self Esteem
When self-esteem is lower than it should be, self-advocacy almost always suffers too. After All, when we are not feeling worthy of our own admiration and love, we likely do not expect others to recognize our worth, either. It’s hard …
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3 Oct
Can Psychic Readings Promote Emotional Health?
Psychic readings have been around since hope became a source of inspiration for many. Some critics and supporters claim to be for and against psychic readings and what they attempt to offer their clients. But whether or not the readings …
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26 Sep
Saving Starfish
An old man was walking along a beach when he noticed a young woman off in the distance. As he got closer, he noticed that the woman was collecting starfish that had washed up on the beach and tossing them, …
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14 Sep
This week in health – 14 September 2018
You might agree that health seems to have suddenly become a more popular topic than ever in the media, with breaking news stories almost every day. Here are a few that caught our attention here at talkhealth in the past …
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11 Sep
Employee ill health and poor wellbeing costing the UK economy a fortune
Every year, employee absence due to sickness, ill health and poor wellbeing is costing the UK economy a fortune. According to a new report by the CBI (the Confederation of British Industry), in partnership with Bupa and HCA Healthcare, last …
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10 Sep
The Balancing Act: Finding the Sweet Spot Between Work and Life
When you conjure up images of being a success at work, what do you picture in your mind’s eye? If you imagined long hours at the workplace late into evening, slaving over tasks that can’t possibly wait until tomorrow, you …
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13 Aug
The Gift of Anxiety
Generally, anxiety isn’t one of our top-ten on any gratitude lists. It can bring a lot of misery to our days, and often sends us mixed messages about what is safe and what isn’t. It can raise our blood pressure, …
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3 Aug
Fibromyalgia – “Just Because We Don’t Complain, Doesn’t Mean We Aren’t in Pain”
Good day my lovely followers! I hope that everyone is doing as well as possible. I know that some of you have been able to power through and get some kind of work done or you may have even been …
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20 Jul
No News Isn’t Always Good News
Struggling to find a diagnosis in a health system that doesn’t care as much as it should… It’s been exactly six months and three days since I first visited my Rheumatologist with hands that were sore and unable to do …
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29 Jun
This week in health – 29/06/2018
With so much going on in the world of health it can be difficult to keep up to date with all the latest news and breakthroughs. Luckily, talkhealth’s weekly round-up should help you keep on top of all the latest …
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22 Jun
This week in health – 22/06/2018
Welcome to talkhealth’s weekly round-up of all the top news stories in the world of health. This week we’ll be covering a wide range of topics, including the current debate around medicinal cannabis, the expected rise in the number of …
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15 Jun
This week in health – 15/06/2018
As another week comes to a close, here at talkhealth we’ve rounded up all of the top news stories from the week in the world of health. From Professor Green talking about depression and the impact of loneliness through to …
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14 Jun
What a Good Relationship With Your Doctor Looks Like
Have you ever walked out of an appointment with your GP and wondered what you paid all that money for? Have you ever felt like they didn’t really listen, palmed you off, even scoffed at your symptoms? Getting good medical …
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8 Jun
This week in health – 08/06/2018
We’ve come to the end of another week and, as such, talkhealth will be looking through all the top news stories from the world of health. This week’s roundup includes new treatments and research, and overview of the summer months …
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23 Apr
Work”Out” or Work”In” ?
I talk rather alot about working “In”as well as” Out” in my sessions but how do you know when to work “in” and not work “out”? It’s really simple protocol but as ever you need to be accurate and …
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27 Feb
The celebrities who are helping to fight the acne stigma
When we think of celebrities, we think of perfection. Flowing, shiny hair, slender figures, and blemish-free, radiant complexions. Or so we think. But in reality, famous people are just like us. While they may have the luxury of professional makeup …
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8 Feb
What I want you to know about invisible illness
Not all is what it seems. From the outside, you’d say I’m a healthy, happy young woman who looks fine. Look beyond what your eyes tell you and you’ll find chronic illness. Invisible illness is a condition or disability that’s …
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2 Feb
Excuses NOT to go to Therapy – Reality Check
I wish I could watch as you click off this page when the reality of what you are about to read hits home with you and begins to sink in. It is a horrible feeling; I know I’ve been there! …
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24 Jan
Live Twitter Q&A Tuesday 30th 1:00 pm & 7:30 pm
For those of you have been reading and (hopefully) enjoying my recent blog posts regarding how best you as parents can help your children navigate the choppy waters of education and careers related learning, and, by so doing mitigate the …
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11 Jan
Anxiety Coping Tools
Anxiety is everywhere these days, we all experience it and some people experience anxiety on a gargantuan level on a regular basis, but it’s a perfectly normal and natural feeling! Anxiety is our body and brain looking after us. Any feeling …
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3 Jan
New Year, new you? You’re better off eating cake than pretending you don’t for a fortnight.
New year, new you? It’s one of the biggest myths perpetrated by, well, just about everyone and everything. The simple function of chronology doesn’t allow one to entirely reinvent oneself because the hand of a clock sweeps past an arbitrary …
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24 Nov
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
With the nights growing longer and the weather getting colder, it is safe to say that winter is well and truly upon us! But what does this mean for our psyche? Often these longer nights can lead to us feeling …
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9 Nov
3 simple steps to help define and secure your child’s future (and take a load off too…)
In my previous blog post I spoke about how the gravity of the choices facing our students could be, amongst other factors, having a demonstrably negative impact on their wellbeing and mental health. This is an idea that has certainly …
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25 Oct
Is poor mental health in our young the inevitable consequence of uncertainty?
Given the renewed focus in the UK to address years of stigmatising, ignoring or explaining away it is refreshing to see mental health is being acknowledged as an issue worthy of time, money and initiatives. For too long the rote …
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31 Aug
How to Cope with What Life Sends Your Way
Stress is a part of life. Sometimes the stress that comes out of each situation is good and sometimes it’s bad. For instance, achieving a goal can become stressful but once you reach it you feel a sense of accomplishment, …
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29 Aug
3 Reasons to See a Therapist
Despite the major advances in mental health, seeing a therapist still holds a stigma in general society. We are afraid to seek out help because in some way it’s means that we are “broken”. That we aren’t as healthy as …
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11 Nov
Alcohol awareness week
Did you know that next week (14-20 November) sees the start of alcohol awareness week? An initiative run by Alcohol Concern (you know them- the founders of Dry January!) which aims to raise awareness of the risks of alcohol to …
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20 Sep
Dangers of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) formerly known as legal highs
This video tells the very tragic story of Laurence, the son of a lovely family I know who live on the same street as me. On the 1st anniversary of Laurence’s passing (19.09.15), please share this video with your family …
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23 Aug
8 Apps for Your Emotional Health
The pace of our life speeds up constantly. The environment we live in today is safer, but ironically, much more stressful and hectic than the world of our ancestors. Our smartphones alone cause enough troubles and distractions to drive us …
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27 Jul
How a skin condition like psoriasis can affect your body image and what to do about it
Your body image is how you perceive yourself when you look at your reflection in the mirror or when you think about the way you look. How accurately your body image matches the way others actually see you is dependent …
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20 Jul
Best Apps for Healthy Sleep for You and Your Children
Sleep deprivation is a worldwide problem of our time. Although the recommended amount of sleep is 8 hours daily for adults and about 10 hours for school-aged children, an average grown-up barely sleeps 6 hours a day. As for teenagers, …
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2 Jun
Facing the world with psoriasis
I have much admiration for those who are able to face the world, psoriasis and all. It takes a kind of courage I often lack. I’ve had lots of unpleasant encounters due my psoriasis, not to mention the sympathy and …
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17 May
Mindfulness for psoriasis
The exciting news is that mindfulness can help if you have psoriasis. But what is it and how does it work? Mindfulness is a meditation technique where you focus your mind on the present moment and appreciate now rather than …
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22 Apr
Rosacea awareness month
Did you know that April is Rosacea Awareness month? Do you know what rosacea is? You might not be surprised to know that almost 40% of the people who have completed our rosacea survey have not heard of the condition. And yet …
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12 Apr
This Week in Health News: Revelations about the Quality of Mental Health Care for Young People and a Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment
Two stories that have dominated the health news over the last few days share a common theme: that young people with mental health problems are being let down by the medical establishment in the UK. An edition of the BBC’s …
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16 Feb
This Week in Health News: Printing Body Parts, Mental Health, and the ‘War’ over Junior Doctors’ Contracts
In the last few weeks, the NHS has been going through one of the most turbulent periods in its recent history. As you will probably have already seen, the struggles continued last week even as the crisis over junior doctors’ …
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9 Feb
This Week in Health News: Children’s Mental Health, and How Much do You Cost the NHS?
After weeks of debate and strikes, the NHS continues to dominate the news this week. For a start, junior doctors are due to strike again tomorrow (Wednesday 10th February), over the ongoing dispute about proposed changes to their contracts. A …
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2 Feb
This week in health news: Terry Wogan, the Zika virus, and more
Some very sad news hit us at talkhealth along with the rest of the UK on Sunday: that Sir Terry Wogan had died of cancer at the age of 77. The legendary broadcaster had a short battle with cancer and …
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22 Jan
Should mental health be taught in primary schools?
Far from being a problem exclusively suffered by adults, mental health issues affect children too. According to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health around one in ten youngsters suffer from mental health problems, with 75% of these not …
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5 Jan
Depression and Pain: Are They Really Linked?
It is estimated that 1 in 4 of us will experience some kind of mental health problem during our lives, with depression being the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder in the United Kingdom. Mentally and physically draining, depression can seriously …
Continue ReadingSugar Consumption
Our Love Affair With Sugar: Sweet Treat or Public Enemy Number One? Sugar is getting a lot of negative press of late. Books like David Gillespie’s “Sweet Poison” and Dr. Robert Lustig and John Yudkin’s “Pure, White, and Deadly” have …
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9 Dec
Does the ‘Season of goodwill’ truly apply to all?
Christians and atheists alike are all looking forward to Christmas. We are lucky to live in a multicultural and diverse-religion society and although not all religions celebrate Christmas, the air of festivity is felt throughout the land. As a nation …
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29 Nov
3 Signs You May Have Anxiety Disorder
I was about the age of 25 when I was diagnosed with having anxiety attacks. Anxiety attacks are also known as panic attacks. There are several symptoms of suffering from anxiety disorder. However the symptoms varies from different people. I …
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17 Nov
Stress and Self Medicating: A Deadly Combination
There is no denying the fact that stress can be very damaging to a person’s physical and mental well-being. Stress is common and isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however, when a person is unable to handle it effectively it can …
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5 Oct
What’s on your mind?
Are you aware that Monday 12 October marks the opening of the talkhealth online clinic on Mental Health? Good mental health means feeling good about life and feeling good about yourself. There have been recent articles in the press about …
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1 Sep
Were you aware ?
Yesterday was August Bank Holiday in the UK, for me it was a fairly wet dull day. It was also International Overdose Awareness Day, the aim of which is to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug …
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29 Mar
I Know My Last Blog Post was the "Final" One But…
I’m using this blog to ask for donations to my Just Giving page because it gets loads more hits than my new blog does. To cut a long story short, I’m running 5k for charity next month and would love …
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19 Feb
The Invisibility Cloak
I didn’t gain weight accidentally. I didnt gain weight because I simply couldn’t resist the chocolate or couln’t be bothered to exercise. I didn’t gain weight by having my four children. It didn’t creep up on me. I gained weight …
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30 Dec
The FEELS
When I started writing about my weight loss journey I imagined myself sitting at my laptop being witty and wise and hopefully inspirational. Whats happened is Ive opened a can of worms where my feelings about my metamorphasis have bubbled …
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21 Dec
The Magic Pill
Ive traveled the country chatting to many different groups about my weight loss journey and the various issues surrounding weight. At the end there is a Q&A session and there are two questions that ALWAYS pop up. I’ve got to …
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15 Dec
Managing Xmas Emotions after Loss
Christmas, for so many, is a time for celebration, giving and receiving – and sharing time with those we love. But, for so many others an inevitable fact of life is that most of us will at some stage face …
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16 Nov
So Long Schizophrenia! My Final Blog Post Here
I’ve come to a big decision regarding this blog. Over the last two and a half years, I have written many blog posts about schizophrenia, hospital stays and my battles with mental health problems in the past and I believe …
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7 Nov
Staying Connected In a Lonely World
It appears ironic that in this age of information and our ability to engage more freely, we are perhaps ever more lonely – in our physical connectedness. +1351
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29 Oct
Mental ill-health & stroke – the hidden consequence
As most now know Robin Williams committed suicide. I think the immediate comments on Twitter summed up the widespread ignorance of the impact of severe depression and anxiety in our society when one wrote, ‘So What has Robin Williams got …
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17 Oct
Am I Being Given Placebos?
This is bordering on conspiracy theory territory and it may at first sound like I’m delusional. But hear me out before coming to any conclusions!One of the medications I currently take is quetiapine XL. I’ve taken it three times in …
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11 Oct
A New Video and Huffington Post
The last few days have been incredible. On Thursday, I was contacted by Huffington Post and asked if I would consent to them using one of my blog posts as part of their focus on schizophrenia for Mental Health Awareness …
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8 Oct
Managing Anxiety within Parenthood
Emotions associated with anxiety are commonly felt at many times in our lives, arguably some of the strongest become evident when we ourselves become parents. Why might this be? Nurture or nature So many of the clients I meet will …
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7 Oct
Stress & Anxiety at Work- survey results
In September we ran a survey based around stress and anxiety at work. The results were inciteful. We found that: 66% of people experience stress & anxiety at work frequently, and 21% experience stress and anxiety continuously. Stress and anxiety …
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6 Oct
Hello Depression, My Old Friend
You’ve come to torture me again… Depression is something I have had an on-off relationship with since I was thirteen. And for the past six weeks or so, the relationship is back on. In simple terms, I’m depressed again.The timing …
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19 Sep
My Experiences With Suicidal Thoughts
When I was 15 I attempted to kill myself. In a very typical story I was ground down by school, home and in an abusive relationship with an older man. There seemed to be no end, no escape that I …
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18 Sep
A Day in the Life of a Paranoid Schizophrenic
It’s 9:45 am when my mum comes into my room to wake me up. This is early for me. Despite my medication being quite sedating, I’m rarely asleep before 1 am. And because of the sedation, I need at least …
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10 Sep
Has Antipsychotic Medication Made Me Worse?
The first time I took psychotropic medication was when I was 18. I had been suffering with depression for about two years and I was finally given help in the form of a prescription for fluoxetine (Prozac). I was put …
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23 Aug
My Story
My problems with my mental health started when I was 13. Not long after I started my third year of high school, I started suffering from depression. My problems worsened when I started being bullied, and this bullying lasted for …
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18 Aug
Stress at work raises diabetes risk by 45%….
An interesting article appeared in the Mail Online today stating that not only can being stressed at work make you feel tired, grumpy and stressed, it can also significantly increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes – even if you’re not …
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9 Aug
When Did I Need Help?
When it comes to this question, the answer for all three of my conditions seems to be “months before I actually tried to get any”. It’s pretty much the case of everyone I meet, a total reversal of hypochondriacs and …
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29 Jul
Sorry for the Absence
You may or may not have noticed that I’ve been silent on the blog and Twitter front for a while. This has been for personal reasons but now I’ve decided to come back. A few people messaged me to ask …
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7 Jul
NHS Accident and Emergency Update
It has been some time since I last posted on Talk Health, the delay has simply been down to pressure of work and also I suppose partly a dearth of decent topics on which to expound. However I ended up …
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1 Jun
When Intrusive Thoughts turn Problematic
*Trigger Warning* This blog post talks openly about suicidal thoughts and other matters that could be triggering so please don’t read any further if you are likely to be affected. Everybody gets intrusive thoughts. It’s the content and intensity of …
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13 May
Ten Things Not to Say to a Person with Schizophrenia
I’ve seen a few of these types of blog post around, for various mental health problems, so I thought I’d do one for schizophrenia. These are ten things I’ve heard from people that, although sometimes said to try and help, …
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12 May
Mental Health Foundation report highlights how increasing levels of anxiety are affecting the health and wellbeing of the nation
New survey for Mental Health Awareness Week reveals nearly half (47%) of people in Britain say they get more anxious than they used to Almost 1 in 5 (19%) feel anxious a lot or all the time Money, finance and …
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8 May
Exam Pressure – Helping Out the Kids!
Kids at the age of seven appear to be doing their exams at the moment. It appears that they are being put under lots of pressure. Parents are reporting to me that their kids are experiencing tantrums, sleepless nights, crying…in …
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6 May
An Interview on Radio 2
This afternoon, I did an interview on BBC Radio 2 about my experiences of being sectioned. The interview stemmed from a news story about how mental health patients sometimes have to travel hundreds of miles to receive care. That story …
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6 May
Shocking news head lines today
There are some big health stories in the news today after the long bank holiday weekend . As we all know health problems never abide by the Mon-Fri 9-5:30 rule and the more we educate ourselves about the issues we …
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28 Apr
Back on Meds…
Those who have read my blog or Twitter recently will know that I came off my medication a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, things headed south quite quickly and as a result, I am now taking risperidone. I’m still gutted by …
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21 Apr
A Third Interview on BBC Radio 5 Live
On Friday, I did another interview on Radio 5 Live about the effects bullying had on me. It was quite last minute and I was again quite nervous about doing it but once I got on air, my nerves eased. …
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2 Apr
A Day of Improvements
Today has been a good day. This morning, I was finally able to drive for the first time in around three months and while I was a little bit rusty to start with, I soon started gaining confidence. I’ve probably …
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27 Mar
The Game That Never Should Have Been Invented
During my time in the first psychiatric hospital I was in, I noticed that the cleanliness of the ward left a lot to be desired. For one, I noticed a giant dust bunny beside my bed on the first night …
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12 Mar
Weight Gain and Medication
Two days before I was sectioned for the first time, I needed to buy some new trousers for work. The ones I was wearing were a UK size 10, but despite using a belt, they were far too big. The …
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3 Mar
To the Bullies
To the Bullies, You probably don’t know who you are and what you did to me, but I remember everything. The names, the taunts, the threats. I remember so much. My last three years of school were miserable due to …
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21 Feb
An Update
I realise I’ve neither blogged nor given a real update on how things are going with me for a while. Things have been a bit chaotic here but here’s an update as to how I am. At the beginning of …
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6 Feb
Time to Talk- 6th February
Today marks the first ever Time to Talk day organised by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness – two of talkhealth‘s charity partners who supported our Online Clinic on Mental Health with NHS Choices back in October 2013. The aim of …
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21 Jan
Assisted Suicide Story in the Psych Ward
WARNING: This post talks openly about suicide so please do not read if you are triggered at all by this topic. Also, SPOILER ALERT: this talks about the plot of *that* Coronation Street episode so if you haven’t watched it …
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20 Jan
Running – Couch to 5k
It’s been quite a while since my last blog post but I’ve lots to say about my running and the running club I co-founded in April last year – Sherfield Park Runners! In October, I completed my third ever half …
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14 Jan
Half a Day in A and E
To those not from the UK, A and E is Accident and Emergency, also known as the Emergency Room in other countries. Also, there is talk of hospital and psych wards throughout this piece so if you are triggered by …
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13 Jan
Want To Run A Marathon? Tips To Help…
So, you’ve signed up for the London Marathon? Here are some generalised training tips and knowledge to help. OK, not the London Marathon, but I do like this shot of me and the huskies on the Brecon Beacons! A marathon …
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13 Jan
Hearing and your emotional wellbeing
Many of us take our hearing for granted, and it’s only when a problem develops that the true impact of hearing loss becomes apparent. Hearing is a part of communication, and therefore by extension plays an important role in an …
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30 Dec
What's it Like to Hear Nasty Voices?
This blog post is about what it is like to hear nasty voices and may contain triggers. Some people hear voices which aren’t nasty and they can have a positive experience with their voices. This is about the nasty voices …
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15 Dec
Psych Wards and the Police
In all three of my psych ward stays, I’ve encountered the banter between patients about our situations. Patients, or rather ‘inmates’, discussing the ‘jailers’ (nurses and HCAs) and the ‘prison’ (the ward) in a jokey manner. But underneath the jokes, …
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15 Dec
My Final Psych Ward Update
As you may have guessed from the title, I am being discharged from the psych ward soon. In fact, I’m being discharged this Tuesday (17th). It was a bit of a shock to be told last Tuesday (10th) that I …
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10 Dec
The Hidden Impact of Cancer – Dealing with the Psychological Impact of a Cancer Diagnosis
A few days ago I took part in two events concerning cancer and mental health. You might well ask – what has that got to do with cancer and returning to work? My response to that is that it …
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5 Dec
Dementia biggest global health challenge facing our generation
In a policy brief launched today, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) has announced that the number of people living with dementia worldwide in 2013 is now estimated at 44 million (estimated at 35 million in 2010) reaching 76 million in 2030 …
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25 Nov
How I'm Doing, Truthfully
Today’s ward round went well, I went in hoping to get five hours of leave so was pleased when they gave me six hours. My meds are staying the same – 800 mg of quetiapine and my body is starting …
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18 Nov
My Experiences with Visual Hallucinations
A common symptom of schizophrenia that I’ve not really written about before is visual hallucinations, AKA seeing things. I’ve written about auditory hallucinations (voices) numerous times before and even created a YouTube video on the subject, which can be found …
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11 Nov
Why I'm in Hospital, Partly
I put some tweets out last night explaining the basics of why I’m in hospital. There may be triggers in this for some. Please be careful. So for those not on Twitter, the tweets were this:I know I’ve not said …
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6 Nov
What a Difference a Day Makes
So yesterday, I blogged here saying about how I wasn’t 100% happy with my leave being unescorted, how I wanted to stay on my section and that I was going to move into a flat of my own. Those three …
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5 Nov
Today's Ward Round
Just a quick update as to what happened at ward round today. My leave has gone to two hours unescorted again (as in, I can go by myself), which I’m not 100% happy with, but I did manage to go …
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5 Nov
Today's Ward Round
Just a quick update as to what happened at ward round today. My leave has gone to two hours unescorted again (as in, I can go by myself), which I’m not 100% happy with, but I did manage to go …
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4 Nov
Depression and how to spot the signs
Depression is incredibly common and we all know someone (or several people) who has suffered from this problem, even if they have never shared this with us. As a GP, I see patients every day of my working week suffering …
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1 Nov
Another Huff Post Piece
I’ve made it to the front page of the UK site of Huffington Post! I used a blog piece that had especially good feedback, tweaked it a little and sent it off. The piece can be found here: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/katy-gray/mental-patients-the-truth_b_4179147.html but if you’re …
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31 Oct
‘Understanding Male Eating Disorders’ – Places available for full day workshops
Following the success of the Men Get Eating Disorders Too Workshop Tour 2012/13, we are putting on three full day workshops. Places are available for individuals who are seeking an increased insight and knowledge into eating disorders in males. The …
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30 Oct
Ecominds reaps rewards for mental wellbeing
The mental health charity Mind has released Feel Better Outside, Feel Better Inside, a report including new findings from the University of Essex showing the many benefits of ecotherapy for mental wellbeing. It has been proven to improve mental health, …
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30 Oct
The 30 Wishes Challenge
To celebrate hitting 30,000 views on here, I decided to set myself a challenge. I wanted to see if I could come up with 30 wishes for my future. It was a real challenge coming up with 30, but I …
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28 Oct
A Psych Ward Update
I thought I’d write a blog post about how things have been and currently are for any who aren’t on Twitter. Things seem to be looking up at long last. This last week, I’ve been allowed two hours of unescorted …
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25 Oct
The Worst Things in Psych Wards
Psych wards are daunting places to say the least and it can take several days or even weeks to settle in. But once you do settle in, you start noticing that as well as noisy patients and intimidating staff, there …
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20 Oct
How to Survive Psych Wards
I know I’m writing a lot about life in psych wards at the minute but it’s a topic that’s close to my heart right now. Probably because I’m in a psych ward myself at the moment! But I’m remembering my …
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18 Oct
Facing up to Triggers
As the title suggests, I will be talking about triggers in this post. So here’s the warning to leave this blog post now if you don’t feel strong enough. When I got out of hospital in 2011 after the 17-month …
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17 Oct
The Thing About Psych Ward Patients
The first time I was on a psych ward was in 2008 when I was 20. If I’m honest, I was petrified. In my mind, the other patients were going to murder me in my sleep or I’d have to …
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17 Oct
What's it like to be Held Down and Injected?
This post is going to be one long potential trigger from start to finish, so please don’t read any further if this topic is likely to upset you. A lot of people with no personal experience of psych wards will …
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13 Oct
What's it like to be Sectioned?
With all three of my psych ward stays, I’ve been brought in on a section. I’ve been brought in on a section 2 (28-day hold) twice, and a section 3 (six-month hold) once; this occasion I was brought in on …
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10 Oct
Engaging and Practicing Progressive Relaxation Using Self-Hypnosis
Public perception of hypnosis tends to see it related to relaxation a great deal. Many people think relaxation and hypnosis are the same thing. They are not. Banyai and Hilgard (1976) showed that by having an individual exercise vigorously for …
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26 Sep
The Damaging Desire to Compare Conditions
When it comes to longstanding medical conditions that aren’t common knowledge, it can be a real pain to make yourself understood. Sometimes it’s tempting to liken your condition to one that is more well-known but I’ve found that sometimes it …
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6 Sep
Psoriasis and me
So I haven’t written on this blog for a while and to be honest it’s because my psoriasis has been surprisingly calm for the last few months. Last time I wrote about how I was looking for different ways to …
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5 Aug
Performance – it is all in the mind
As I crossed the first peak of the mountains my legs were like jelly. The wobble in my legs vibrated through my body. Then the cramps started. These were deep cramps right across my hamstrings and calves. I felt wasted, …
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24 Jul
Drive to get more disabled people into mainstream jobs
Disabled people will get more support to gain the skills and experience they need to get a job under changes to the Government’s specialist disability employment scheme announced today. Disabled people on traineeships, supported internships, work trials and work academies …
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23 Jul
Hypnosis for surgery
I’ve received some lovely feedack following my last post. One of the messages was from a good friend of mine, Greg, recently had a bit of bad luck – his kidneys packed up. You know, as they do. No reason …
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10 Jul
Mental health nurses to join police on the beat
The street triage scheme sees mental health nurses accompany officers to incidents where police believe people need immediate mental health support. The innovative scheme, funded by the Department of Health and backed by the Home Office, helps people with mental …
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26 Jun
Stress and University: Inseparable?
Image by: Anna Gutermuth Going off to university is the first adventure of adulthood for many. It is a major life change to strike out on this quest and go to a big city, leaving friends and family behind to …
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21 Jun
Feel the eczema and do it anyway
Do you want to hear something really sad? This is what one woman told an All Party Parliamentary Group looking into the effects of skin disease on a person’s physical and psychological well-being – “I feel like I am disgusting. I feel …
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17 Jun
Food is a Love/Hate thing…
Food and feelings are so intertwined, its hard to be in control of one without first dealing with the other. Every culture I know has special foods for special occasions. From wedding cakes, to christening cakes to birthday cakes. Is …
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21 May
Anti Bullying Campaign – should be as easy as ABC
Bullying affects many lives and it can too often have devastating consequences. Many people are bullied for various reasons, whether it is for the clothes they wear, the way they look or whether they have a particular disability or learning …
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25 Apr
A Skeptical Approach to Medicine – Part One : Supplements, Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (SCAM)
As readers of my posts here and also at my own blog (see link below) will know I am (amongst other things) a financial services professional operating in the private medical market and most decidedly not a clinician. However, I …
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25 Apr
Postpartum Mood Disorders
Postpartum depression itself is nothing new but the culture of support surrounding women who suffer from this disorder is. Until recently, many women didn’t feel comfortable opening up about their struggles with postpartum depression because it was often seen as …
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23 Apr
Mental health conditions get jobs support boost
More people with mental health conditions than ever before have been supported at or into work by a government employment scheme, Minister for Disabled People Esther McVey said today. According to statistics released today, almost half of all people with …
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17 Apr
Something’s Wrong With My Husband…
Written by Lyn McLaurine “Lyn, it’s the nursing home. We’re calling to talk about Bill’s rapid decline.” Bill is adored at Prairie Sunset. He has become part of their family. Because of his young age (he just turned 58 …
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12 Apr
Depression Awareness Week – 15- 21 April 2013
15-21 April is Depression Awareness Week. Dr Richard Bowskill is a consultant psychiatrist and leading expert at the Priory Group. One of his clinical and research interests is in the field of Depression. Dr Bowskill said: “Depression is a medical …
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10 Apr
How one picture can be worth a thousand words
Written by Darren Gormley A few years ago I was contacted by a speech therapist who asked if I would visit Mark, an 82 year old man diagnosed with mixed dementia. The speech therapist had been working with Mark as part of …
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8 Apr
‘Baby Blues’ or Depression? How You Can Help
Many women suffer ‘baby blues’ after giving birth, but a new study reveals a surprisingly high number of them actually have postpartum depressive symptoms. Progesterone is a natural mood enhancer and during pregnancy a woman produces huge amounts to support …
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3 Apr
When it’s no longer safe to drive
Many people will spend decades behind the wheel of a car. For some this is a lifelong passion and a symbol of independence, while for others it’s just a necessary part of modern life. However, there comes a time when we …
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28 Mar
Stress and Life
“Stress is the spice of life” Hans Selye (1980) It was Walter Cannon (1871-1945) who first described the physiological fight-or-flight response to a threatening situation. The term stress was introduced by Hans Selye (1907-1982). Stress in small doses has an …
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21 Mar
The most important job of my life
Written by Rhonda Brantley You’ve heard about Alzheimer’s and dementia for years, but never suspected it would creep into your own home. Much like cancer, a house fire or losing your life savings, we just don’t anticipate bad things happening to us. Those …
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13 Mar
London takes its place among healthcare innovation elite cities of the world
Jeremy Hunt launches London Centre of Innovation Excellence and new app library to help people live well. The UK’s worldwide reputation for innovation in healthcare will be sealed today as Jeremy Hunt launches London’s new centre of innovation excellence established …
Continue ReadingPosted in 50+ & life, acne, cancer, children's health, dementia, eczema, men's health, mental health, psoriasis, women's health
28 Feb
Are you waking with the “Twilight look?”
Restless sleep, tossing and turning through the night? A recent survey* commissioned by my professional organisation, the British Acupuncture Council, has revealed that we’re a nation of zombies. 1 in 5 of us claim to feel like one after a …
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25 Feb
Real, effective therapy goes beyond treating symptoms; it boosts positive thinking
Traditionally, psychotherapy has been about helping those seeking help through the worst of their symptoms. When those symptoms are treated, the therapy has been successful. But what if a psychotherapist could do more? What if, as well as treating the …
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13 Feb
Economic downturns, job losses and the ‘global crisis’ is now the right time to change your life?
With all the bad news about the economy, many people are feeling scared about making any changes in their lives they feel it’s not the ‘right time’. But now could well be the perfect time! Jessica McGregor Johnson believes that …
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8 Feb
Complimentary Thinking
I think there is something about sharing your darkest secrets with the wider world that makes people trust you and feel comfortable sharing their own stories with you. As a result my head is spinning a bit. I have already …
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5 Feb
Gazza admitted to US addiction centre
It’s no secret that former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur player, Paul Gascoigne has battled with alcoholism since giving up football. His Management Company today confirmed that he has willingly gone to the US and admitted himself into a specilist …
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4 Feb
Walking Medicine
In todays world of Deadlines, Emails, Bills and Crammed work Schedules its no surprise that people find it hard to find time for health and well-being. Many people dislike the idea of the busy gym as they may not know …
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3 Jan
Habit reversal for passive pessimism
“Behaviour” commonly means what we see people doing. As a behaviour modification technique, habit reversal can be used to tackle nail biting, thumb sucking or scratching that have become troublesome habits. Habits start as conscious behaviours associated with specific triggers. …
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31 Dec
Health 2012: a year in headlines
In 2012 we’ve found that the standards of health reporting have – largely – improved. Where there have been health scares these have been sensibly and even-handedly reported, ‘wonder cures’ seem to have hit the headlines far less often than we’ve …
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27 Dec
Bleurgh
Well I don’t have cancer and the organs they removed from me were cancer free too which is the most fantastic news. So why do I feel a bit low and unhappy? Surgical menopause, that’s why. I had my ovaries …
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18 Dec
Stressful Times?
Modern life is sometimes thought of as particularly stressful, compared with life in previous times. These days seem to have more pressure, more demands, and more complexity to contend with. Modern life is hectic, while perhaps previous times were at …
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4 Dec
Chelsea Physic Garden
In deepest Chelsea, London UK, there is a gem often overlooked by international visitors. In the picture DrB stands between the Psychiatry and Dermatology beds in Chelsea Physic Garden. Containing almost 5000 plant species from all over the world, the …
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3 Dec
A Yogalicious Advent Calendar – Free!
I know we are more used to the traditional chocolate feast for the first 24 days of December, but in the interests of our health – and waistlines – I thought you might like to try something different this year. …
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23 Nov
Life is like a box of chocolates…
Well life bowled me a googlie recently which has changed a few things around. I had to have a biopsy of my womb in mid-September due to the long term unopposed oestrogen I have been on and unfortunately I got …
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15 Nov
Women more likely to be recognised with signs of depression than men
Study by the University of Westminster reveals that gender stereotypes influence perceptions of depressed people Women are more likely to be identified as having symptoms of depression and mental health disorders than men, according to research by Dr Viren Swami …
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6 Nov
Cost of stress to British economy estimated at £3.7bn – new research highlights more than 13m workers at risk of mental health problems
Stress is among the biggest problems in British workplaces, with the cost to the British economy being estimated at £3.7 billion* per year. More than 13 million employees** are at risk of mental health problems caused by the stress of …
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5 Nov
Confidence? What confidence?
Confidence, self-esteem, self-worth… Whatever you call it, I wish I had more of it. Judging by the number of helpful people who offer insightful advice like “You just need more confidence,” there must be plenty of it out there, growing …
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5 Nov
Depression and normality: which is which?
Depression has changed me. For better or worse, it’s an experience that has made a permanent mark on my character. Depression has also confused me, because, although I know I’ve changed, I can’t always remember what I was like before …
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23 Oct
Premenstrual syndrome
I started my periods at 9 years old and overnight turned into a monster. I told lies, stole money, shoplifted, made up stories and experienced my first visit to psychology. Throughout the years I have seen doctors, psychiatrists, neurologists and …
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19 Oct
Study looks at creativity link with mental illness
‘Creativity is often part of a mental illness according to a study of more than a million people’, BBC News has reported. The image of the tortured artist or the visionary genius beset by personal demons has long been part …
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19 Oct
Music and mental health: my personal playlist
It makes sense that a chirpy tune should lift your mood, doesn’t it? Well no, not necessarily. In my darkest moods on my darkest days of depression, an excessively cheerful song would have been about as uplifting as a bad …
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5 Oct
What are, and what aren’t, symptoms of dementia?
This is the title of a section of John Zeisel’s ‘I’m still here’. It’s all very obvious once you’ve read it, but it’s really helpful to have all this set out so clearly. Zeisel differentiates between the primary symptoms of …
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