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Personal Stories

The story behind why I don’t have any more children

The story behind why I don’t have any more children

Doreen Kelly
Admitting infertility to yourself is probably a time in your life where you see yourself at your most raw. I am so lucky to have a little boy who fills my life but he is my only child, not through choice
Living with schizophrenia

Living with schizophrenia

A Lust For Life Reader
I have suffered from schizophrenia since I was 26 years old. I had my first psychotic episode then. I can only describe it as a terrifying experience
Keeping anxiety a secret makes it thrive

Keeping anxiety a secret makes it thrive

Tim Collins
When I had my first major anxiety attack it took me completely by surprise. Yes, I’d felt nervous in the past but really only natural nerves, the kind you get before a big presentation or job interview
Type two bipolar disorder and me

Type two bipolar disorder and me

Charlene Maloney
My name is Charlene. I am a stay at home Mum to three boys. I am originally from Liverpool and am a huge fan of Liverpool Football Club. I have Type 2 Bipolar Disorder
Going against what and who you are is torture

Going against what and who you are is torture

Sorcha Killian
‘I am not what I am.’ These words come from Othello, a play I studied for my leaving cert. They are birthed from the most malignant villain in literature
‘I’m a single Dad living with anxiety’

‘I’m a single Dad living with anxiety’

James Elford
Understanding depression, anxiety or any of that bad stuff is like understanding any chronic illness
A reboot of the mind

A reboot of the mind

Mark McConville
As this story unfolds, my mind seems cleaner. It's not working overtime and it's not demanding me to think hazardous thoughts
Secret Diary of an Agoraphobic

Secret Diary of an Agoraphobic

Wayne Power
I was just like any typical 21 year old when I had my first panic attack. I was in the process of moving from Waterford to Dublin
Gambling addiction – from the other side

Gambling addiction – from the other side

A Lust For Life Reader
Thanks to the writer of this personal story for emailing it in to A Lust for Life. She felt it important to express from her side how difficult she found it, and still finds it
The Bottom Of The Glass: Alcohol and Mental Health

The Bottom Of The Glass: Alcohol and Mental Health

Roisin Dwyer
Irish adults binge drink more than their counterparts in any other European country
Time (and other infuriating societal attitudes to infertility)…The Great Healer!

Time (and other infuriating societal attitudes to infertility)…The Great Healer!

A Lust For Life Reader
A must read blog from A Lust For Life reader illustrating the emotional, mental and physical distress of their journey through infertility and it’s various treatments
Dreaming above 2000m

Dreaming above 2000m

John Buckley
A mist is surrounding my eyes as water begins to fall. Gasping for breath as my mind tries to figure out that final piece…
My steps to recovery and how to avoid relapse from an eating disorder

My steps to recovery and how to avoid relapse from an eating disorder

A Lust For Life Reader
For the past six years of my life I have been living with an eating disorder which also caused depression and anxiety
Road to recovery from gambling addiction

Road to recovery from gambling addiction

Niall McNamee
Read this Offaly forward’s deeply personal story of the desperate power of gambling addiction and also some advice on how to pull yourself out of it
How did we get here? The Loss of a Child to SUDC And Subsequent Parenthood

How did we get here? The Loss of a Child to SUDC And Subsequent Parenthood

Stephanie O’Loughlin
This is a powerful personal story written by Stephanie O’Loughlin on how she coped with the loss of her son Patrick to SUDC – Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood
Healing from sexual abuse

Healing from sexual abuse

A Lust For Life Reader
One of our readers at A Lust For Life sent in this personal post on her recovery methods for her mental health issues
From Struggling with ADHD to Turning it into My Greatest Gift

From Struggling with ADHD to Turning it into My Greatest Gift

Connor Keppel
Get to better understand ADHD by a man who uses it to give him an edge
For A Minute There I Lost Myself… Drowning in Motherhood

For A Minute There I Lost Myself… Drowning in Motherhood

Ruth O’Mahony
If you find yourself overwhelmed and struggling with pre or post-natal anxieties – check in with your support people
“All we can do now is pray” – How my hero Dad gave me hope during the marriage referendum

“All we can do now is pray” – How my hero Dad gave me hope during the...

Clodagh Leonard
When the government announced a date for the marriage referendum you could feel a collective inhalation as the LGBT community steeled itself for the onslaught
Severe Anxiety Disorder and Tips for Coping day-to-day

Severe Anxiety Disorder and Tips for Coping day-to-day

A Lust For Life Reader
A powerful story by one of our readers. Thank you for sharing your story and tips Daniel
Anxiety Resources that have worked for me

Anxiety Resources that have worked for me

A Lust For Life Reader
A fantastic and very thorough piece that lists some useful resources and treatments to explore on your journey with anxiety
Understanding Self Harm

Understanding Self Harm

A Lust For Life Reader
Thank you so much to A Lust For Life reader for this contribution on self-harm and depression
My Sister’s Keeper – Living with a Sibling with Mental Illness

My Sister’s Keeper – Living with a Sibling with Mental Illness

A Lust For Life Reader
With effective long-term clinical management of her illness, nearly 20 years after her overdose my sister is doing well
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© A Lust For Life - Registered Charity Number 20157913. CHY Number 21993
A Lust For Life | Mental Health Charity Ireland
URGENT HELP
A Lust for Life does not provide crisis support, so if you or someone you are concerned about is in crisis and needs help urgently, please contact:
Pieta House
PIETA HOUSE
1800 247 247
..........................................................................................................................
Samaritans
SAMARITANS
116 123 (ROI & UK)
Childline
...........................................................................................................................
CHILDLINE
1800 666666
A Lust For Life | Mental Health Charity Ireland
URGENT HELP
A Lust for Life does not provide crisis support, so if you or someone you are concerned about is in crisis and needs help urgently, please contact
Pieta House
PIETA HOUSE
1800 247 247
.........................................................................
Childline
SAMARITANS
116 123 (ROI & UK)
.........................................................................
Samaritans
CHILDLINE
1800 666666
Howaya! We hope you’re enjoying A Lust for Life.
While you are here… can we ask you a favour?
We know, pop ups are absolutely no craic. But seeing as you are here anyway, which means you must be a sound head, we thought we’d tap you on the shoulder and ask for your help.
Make a one-time or regular donation
We rely on the generosity of the public to fund our work and so far together we have achieved great things! Please do continue to support us so we can provide future generations in Ireland with the resources to recognise and talk about their emotions, and equip them to navigate the ever-changing world around them as they grow.
Howaya! We hope you’re enjoying A Lust for Life. While you are here… can we ask you a favour?
We know, we know, pop ups are absolutely no craic. But seeing as you are here anyway, which means you must be a sound head, we thought we’d tap you on the shoulder and ask for your help.
We rely on the generosity of the public to fund our work and so far together we have achieved great things! Please do continue to support us so we can provide future generations in Ireland with the resources to recognise and talk about their emotions, and equip them to navigate the ever-changing world around them as they grow.
Make a one-time or regular donation