Personal Stories

Mick McLeish

Recently I was able to catch up with an old friend, and I told him that I’d started a bicycle blog. He was interested as cycling had played a significant part in shaping the person he is today

Dealing with mental illness and the financial consequences

Lucie Kavanagh

Illness doesn’t come cheap. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that one out whether or not you can relate it to personal experience

How I cope when struggling with anxiety and depression

Ellen Downey

Like so many others I have come through some extremely tough times in my life, moments where I felt I had only one option

5 valuable lessons I learned when recovering from cocaine addiction

Carl Towns

Going through addiction recovery has been up to this day the most challenging experience I’ve lived. It was also the most rewarding one

Above the blues – my mental health has made me who I am today

Kim Verity Lockyer

So, my story with mental health issues really began in first year. My parents started fighting a lot, I was becoming a teenager and school was a bit of a mess

3 things that helped save my life in an Adolescent Psychiatric Unit

A Lust For Life Reader

A Special, that's what you’re called when you are underage and admitted to an Adult Psychiatric Unit. I was 16 years old when this name was given to me first

You’re not sick are you? My conflict with weight, medication and choosing to be healthier

A Lust For Life Reader

A few years ago, I was walking around my local supermarket

Loss of desire

Deirdre Clohessy

It is hard explaining depression to people who have never experienced it. It is a debilitating illness with many faces and many factors, often far too many to name

Accepting an Eating Disorder – A father’s perspective

John Morris

As a dad, it is often instinctive to try to “make things good”. To fix things, to make trouble go away

What not to say to someone with an eating disorder

Ruth McMonagle

Supporting someone with an eating disorder can be a bit of a minefield. What do you say? What do you not say?

Breaking misconceptions: The man in the mirror

A Lust For Life Reader

‘Why did you stop eating?’ my aunt once asked me, ‘Did you look in the mirror and see someone fat?’ Inside, I sigh

My journey of abuse, adversity and growth

A Lust For Life Reader

From four years of age, I was abused by my father. He was a controller and a bully. I have memories of beatings, sexual degradation, mind games, starvations

Dealing with my alcohol demons

Aoife Kane

My eyes flickered open and as I turned my head towards the windows, the shaft of light that broke through the curtains blinded me. I closed my eyes, felt the heaviness of my head as I tried to lift it off the pillow

The importance of bed-making

Jen Ronan

About a year ago, I bumped into a very dear friend one Saturday in the Milk Market (Hi Una). Now, for us and many other friends of mine, if you’re in the Milk Market in Limerick City of a bright Saturday morn

I chose life – Surviving alcoholism in a country that worships alcohol

Dee Nolan

As Homer Simpson once quoted: “Alcohol - the cause of, and the solution to all of life’s problems”. And what a wise quote for a simple cartoon man!

10 Upsides of Bipolar!

Gavin T Murphy

As I walked the road of recovery, I began to realise how Bipolar Disorder actually graced my life. Here I share my blessings with you

Grief and the aftermath

Lorraine Carey

My beautiful, youngest sister Von has been dead almost eighteen months now. Even reading that sentence still feels dreamlike, as if I'm reading someone else's words, but no, they're mine

Trust your gut – When I stopped looking for all the answers outside I found them within

Elizabeth Dunne

I’ve come to think of my gut as an internal navigation system. In the past two years mine has been more like a driving stick or an aggressive handbrake

I sprained my mental health

David O'Connor

I recently sprained my mental health, twisted it badly. I'm on crutches for a couple of weeks, possibly longer. "What happened?" they said

How living with someone with depression taught me the meaning of True Love

Karen Maloney

Christmas 2015, things got really tough. I came home from abroad to spend a couple of weeks with my family and friends over the holidays

The journey of a special needs mother – My road to acceptance

Sinead Tighe

The anticipation - will it be a boy or a girl, who will they look like, the dreams, the hopes, please God let everything be okay. I was ten days overdue expecting my second child

When it’s not the most wonderful time of the year

Nicola Hynds

I always loved Christmas as a child but like many people the novelty wore off as I grew into adulthood. Battling with Schizophrenia for years, especially in my early twenties

How sadness pushed me to be a better version of myself

Sarah Morgan

Give me a person who has lived all their life without pain and I will show you someone who is living a life deprived of self-discovery

Countless shades of grey – Is it okay to talk about sexual orientation as a mental health...

A Lust For Life Reader

Navigating the area of sexuality as a teenager with a traumatic history is anything but easy

Fu@k you eating disorder

Colette Murphy

When are you thin enough to have an eating disorder? How bad does it have to get? Well, let me make it easy for you, Don’t look at the size of your clothes; don’t body check

What do you do when you cry in the office?

A Lust For Life Reader

Can you shut the door? Is there a door to shut? Do you try to make it to the safety of a bathroom cubicle first? Are you loud? Is it muffled, silent sobbing?

My mental story

Doris Murphy

I am a strong advocate for mental health awareness. If I were to indulge in some self-evaluation, I would characterise myself as a friendly, cheerful, social butterfly

Bottling up my sadness, grief and emotion caused my anxiety to grow – No more

David Bourke

The days are warm and Kilkenny is bustling with a mixture of tourists and everyone on holidays from school or college

How writing down my thoughts helped me renew myself after my son’s suicide

Linda Allen

I remember receiving my first diary. It had a green plastic cover that felt smooth to the touch as it wrapped around the pages

1 year on from my cancer diagnosis – 11 powerful things I’ve learned

Aoife Moores

A year of your life to save your life…You hear that statement quite often at the beginning, just after you get the diagnosis

Anxiety – my greatest ally in life

Jenna Keane

Anxiety: It’s all about perspective. My anxiety made me quit my job. Most people will perceive this as a negative statement. Reactions such as “The poor girl, that’s awful” come to mind

The chaos and the calm

Gemma Hogan

When a tsunami of anxiety is washing over you, you wonder: “Why is this happening again?” A late morning turns into a missed day

If you are thinking of suicide, please talk to someone. It saved my life.

Robert MacDonald

I am a 31 year old man who has and does occasionally still suffer from depression. I would first start out by saying that I had a great childhood with a loving family

Self-destructive behaviour and distractions did not help my depression – Talking did

Deirdre Clohessy

Four years into my depression I could write a book on self-destructive behaviour, for now I suppose I’ll settle for an article!

Why ADHD is my super power

Ruari Fairbairns

Growing up on the Isle of Mull in Scotland was idyllic. The farm we lived on had over 6 miles of rugged coastline and more trees than you could ever build tree houses. As young boys we had no such things as TV

Feeling guilt because of your anxiety

Dearbhla Morrin

Have you ever felt guilty because you have let someone down? Better still, because you have let yourself down? Most people's answer will be yes. Now, imagine feeling this guilt because of something that is out of your control

My story as a teenager coping with self-harm and anxiety

A Lust For Life Reader

I’m 17 and have struggled with anxiety since first year. I was always a bit of a worrier, but in first year panic attacks and anxiety completely took over my life

Why I’m thankful for medication and the dangers of stopping without support

Sinéad O Callaghan

Let’s take a few minutes to talk about medication. Antidepressants can be a useful tool in the battle against depression

Baring my soles – Why I’m walking around the coast of Ireland barefoot

Eamonn Keaveney

Two and a half months ago I set off from my hometown of Claremorris in County Mayo on a trek that so far has taken me all around the southern edges of the country

Life lessons and out of body experiences: The Seoul International Marathon

Patrick Hyland

The usually chock-a-block streets were cleared for competition on that March morning, the deafening sound of beeping horns replaced by uplifting cheers from friendly onlookers

To live, I had no choice but to make friends with my depression

Jennifer Coleman

As I lift my head and say a silent prayer I hope beyond hope that God is listening. I'm not very religious and definitely only go to mass when it’s expected

I’m no longer ashamed of my depression – surviving it is a massive triumph

Deirdre Clohessy

I feel it’s time to share my story in the best way I know how and that’s writing it down. I write a lot but I have never had the courage to write about this topic out of fear of the judgement

You are so much more than your mental health diagnosis

A Lust For Life Reader

Now I knew why I had instinctively never told her about my own (Mental Health) diagnosis. In that moment though, it hit me that unless you’ve had your entirety summed up

When your high becomes your low: Life as a young footballer

Rory Kelly

I sat in the empty changing room. My kit was soaked through, boots and all. My body was aching like never before and there was a dull pain in my head

A Mum shares her story of postnatal depression – “You must take care of yourself.”

Ciara Traynor

When my son Jamie was born, I couldn’t believe the special day was finally here and I was finally a mother. I had wanted this moment for so long

Medication and Me – My journey with anti-depressants

Zoe Forde

It can be hard to admit to people that, five years on, I continue to take anti-depressants daily. It’s this whole notion of recovery. The ‘No more down days, No more pills’ recovery

My rollercoaster journey towards wellness, while living with M.E.

Claire Lynas

This is my story of my rollercoaster journey towards wellness, while living with a long term invisible illness and how a holistic approach helps me challenge M.E

People are still scared of mental ill-health in Ireland

A Lust For Life Reader

See Change, the National Stigma Reduction Partnership and many partner organisations are rolling out a month long national Green Ribbon Campaign to get people talking

Living through the heartbreak of losing our babies

A Lust For Life Reader

So wrote Alastair Down in his brilliant article in the Racing Post following Mouse Morris’ win in the Aintree Grand National with “Rule the World”

Healing from abuse

A Lust For Life Reader

Last year, while working in what I thought was the quintessential 'dream job' in the film and TV industry, something overcame me - I lost all hope, felt a constant anxiety looming over me, and was struggling to function

How breaking down can save you

Adam Coleman

At only 19 I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, and more recently with an Anxiety Disorder. Breaking down recently was the best thing to happen to me: it made me stronger

I’ve lost an entire academic year to my battle with anxiety and depression

Zainab Boladale

My second year of college wasn’t supposed to go like this. This was not what I had imagined. This was the year I was supposed to improve on the previous year’s achievements

How I manage my anxiety

Louise O’Sullivan

As I begin writing this I question if I will truly be able to convey how difficult it is to manage anxiety. Until about three years ago the word anxiety didn't even feature much in my vocabulary, mainly because I didn't fully understand it

The reason I set up Taxiwatch.ie – On the outside I was smiling, on the inside I...

Derek Devoy

In 2010, life could not have been any better. I had built a new house, bought a new car and was working away happily. Then BANG! I was hit from behind by a drunk driver

My story of healing from self harm

Eoghan McDermott

When I was 27 years old I was offered my dream job in London, which I accepted and went on to have the time of my life and make some friends that will be with me till we’re old and wrinkly

My struggle with peace of mind, before and after losing weight

Jane Harrison

I’m a little bit wacky, eccentric and unreliable and at least I’m the first to admit it. I’ve always been a circle trying to fit into a square box

Pandora’s box is depression

Louis McIntosh

Oh no, not another article about depression, I wish it would go away. Funnily enough so do a lot of us. But it won't. It's here to stay, this 21st Century disease, or could there be signs of similar dark phantoms in the psyche of our past?

Healing the pain of miscarriage

Ethna Quirke

September and November are months of celebration in our house. Both my sons were born in November and my daughter is a sunny September girl. But they are months of sadness too. Three years ago, I had my first miscarriage in my 13th week

My story of a visit to the college GP – Irish students deserve better mental health care

A Lust For Life Reader

Sitting outside my GP’s office I feel I am about to die. My heart is beating uncontrollably, my palms are sweating and the thoughts that circle my head are enough to drain my last morsel of energy

Healing anorexia and brushing out what’s under the carpet

Dara Maguire

I am 28 this year and have battled an eating disorder for the latter part of my teenage years and throughout my college life. Anorexia almost took my life away but thankfully I have reclaimed what is mine

Depression – An open letter to someone struggling

Jannah Walshe

Depression. That word we throw around so easily nowadays. That word we use to describe anything from a bad day to an overwhelming inability to live life. But as anyone with depression knows, it is much more than any one word

Overcoming anxiety to accomplish my first 5k run with A Lust for Life

Claire Nora Twomey

I woke to the sound of my alarm, snoozed it about 3 times and struggled to get out of bed which meant I was already running behind schedule for the Vhi A Lust For Life run which took place in Phoenix Park recently

Looking after my mental health after losing my Mother

Nicola Hynds

Battling mental health problems since childhood has never been an easy task. Living with Schizophrenia has become something I have spent my life accepting and adjusting to. From the age of four I have endlessly fought with demons

Mental fitness and the battle of becoming a positive me

Irene Heavey

Make no mistake; my use of the term “Mental fitness” does not derive from a lack of comfort of the term mental health. Coming from a GAA background my logic is simple, mental fitness implies that our state of mentality must be worked on

The loss of my sister – A journey of grief and beyond

Lorraine Carey

My 33 year old sister died last August, shattering my life as I knew it. She’d been battling alcoholism and depression for years. She was on a lot of medication (which to me, just exacerbated her struggles) self-harmed

Running is my therapy

Teresa McCarthy

On Saturday, I ran the Vhi A Lust for Life 5k in the Phoenix Park. I was honoured to be interviewed by Karl Fitzgerald, a leader of the A Lust for Life – Runners’ Page, and was asked about why I run, and why I was taking part

How a support group helped save my life

Ellen Downey

I am 28 years old. I have a brilliant family. Supportive friends. An amazing fiancé. A permanent job in what I have always wanted to be since I was a little girl. I have what people would say, a fantastic life

‘Talking about your mental health is attention seeking!’ and other untruths

Kim Horkan

I want to write my story because recently I’ve encountered the attitude that talking about your mental health is attention seeking. This is absolutely not true

How I became friends with my mind again – from OCD to meditation

Linda Culleton

Your mind can be your best friend or worst enemy. To me I had a normal life, working late hours as an accountant overwhelmed by stress

Asperger Syndrome – Invisible challenges and hidden gifts

Paula Nash

Asperger Syndrome can be a complex condition with no two people the same, although many people experience similarities in the difficulties they face

My journey of awakening to know that it’s okay not to feel okay, and to ask for...

Vincent Byrne

In April 2014 I enrolled for the first three days of a fourteen day cycle, with Cycle Against Suicide. I had a general empathy with the focus of the cycle

Revelation on the mountain – healed by the beauty of nature

Imelda Conway-Duffy

On one of those balmy days in April, 2015, I received a message. "You free for a short walk?" my friend, Mag had texted. Swift and sure-footed as a mountain goat, she sped

WRAP me up – Keep me safe

A Lust For Life Reader

Before I had a Crisis Plan™, I was detained (sectioned) because I couldn’t communicate properly with health staff while at crisis point. When I’m well, I am soft spoken and articulate. When unwell due to an episode of mental health illness

No hair, do care: a personal view on hair loss during breast cancer treatment

Aoife Moores

Tackling Breast Cancer treatment, the approach by which we face it is so very individual. When described, many use the ‘fight’ word which is true in many ways

‘See you in two minutes, Ma!’ A mother writes her story of losing her son to suicide

Linda Allen

‘See you in two minutes, Ma!’ The words echoed in the hallway as the front door closed and re-opened in a burst followed by a trundling of long legs up the stairs and down again as quickly

Beautiful letter from a Mum who has battled depression to her 1 year old son

Michelle Ryan

Dear Joshua, a year ago, you decided to enter into this world. You weren't due until the end of March, but you arrived early for a reason. You knew that I was struggling

Gambling with life

John-Ross Crangle

Standing on the edge of a bridge wondering where your life is heading, all you can see are the negatives. You talk to yourself, you put yourself down, a few seconds of pain will end a few years of complete and utter destruction of your mind

Coping with panic attacks after being raped – my experience

A Lust For Life Reader

Trigger Warning. If you have been affected by sexual violence please phone the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre National 24-Hour Helpline 1800 77 8888 or contact Rape Crises Network Ireland

How I changed the cycle of chronic pain and created The Ass Movement

Michael Quigley

March 2013, it was a typical weekend where I went out and got absolutely black out drunk. This is something I had done from the age of 17 nearly every single weekend until then (I was 26 years old in 2013)

My Jealousy: A Battle with Perfectionism

Michelle O’Connor

Grainne is a career woman who is well respected and known in her field. She is perceived to be irreplaceable in her job and does it with ease, positivity and everyone likes her. Shes is in a loving relationship and recently got approved for her mortgage

A false sense of insecurity – Learning to cope with anxiety

Darren

There is a powerful line in the film Good Will Hunting when Robin Williams tells Matt Damon 'you can do anything you want in this world, you are bound by nothing'

Growing Up With Addiction in the Home

A Lust For Life Reader

As far back as I can remember my mother was an alcoholic. I would wait at school for her to collect me, filled with dread of what would greet me when I hopped in the car. She would often pick me up from school drunk

Men, look after your mental health – speak up and take action today

Mark Smith

This is something we hear about all the time when it comes to men; they keep their problems to themselves and don’t speak up and seek help because it might affect their macho image

Depression, a story of acceptance

Lauren Moriarty

I choked the first time I said it aloud. It was the beginning of the Christmas holidays and I was relieved to have a two week break from Leaving Certificate stress. I was in my bedroom with the girl I had been friends with since Junior Infants

Dig deep, reach out and exercise your way through the tough times

A Lust For Life Reader

I was always a happy guy, glass half full, never half empty. Things happened to other people, not to me and I always could take care of it - whatever it happened to be

Your body loves you – The other side of an eating disorder

Sorcha Killian

Few months ago I started college and that incurred understandable anxiety as I am in a new place with new people. I noticed my anorexia began to flare up

No longer running away

Meredith Heneghan

I used to be a runner. I used to write this cool running blog; I was one of the most driven, ambitious people you were likely to meet. I had a vision of a new career, making a fresh start as a personal trainer

Stopping my panic attacks before they hit

James Elford

I was sitting on the bus with my family watching the world go by when everything would suddenly get too much. Loud noises became deafening. Bright lights became blinding

A young Mum’s fight against a breast cancer diagnosis – navigating the darkness to live amongst the...

Aoife Moores

Two months ago, I was diagnosed with stage 2, Her2 positive Breast Cancer. Clearly they got that wrong

Finding your soul: An inner journey towards positive mental health

A Lust For Life Reader

Thanks to the A Lust for Life reader who emailed us in their story. “I wanted to share my story with A Lust for Life readers with the hope that it could support other people out there who might be going through a tough time like I did.”

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