Give yourself a chance, dear man
I remember my name being called. Dr.Cliff was ready to see me. He was on rotation in the mental health clinic. And I thought to myself, how am I going to explain how I feel in 15 minutes?
My 7 signs of good mental health!
As a person with mental health challenges, I’d like to share a four-month adventure of embodying the signs of good mental health in my life
Discovering the true me in Eating Disorder
I have always disliked myself and never had any confidence at any stage of my life, if I am truly honest I hated myself
I wrote about my mental health journey about three years ago in an article titled “Me, Myself and Anxiety” and shared it on this site with the hope it would help other people going through similar experiences
Reclaiming your story through your shadow
The mystery of life is one that I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to unravel, even though some of us may never feel truly at rest until we have a distinct reason for why we are here
How to make friends with yourself after a break up
My first experience of heartbreak was not via a cheating boyfriend – that would come later – but from the abrupt ending of a platonic female friendship
Does making friends with yourself make a difference
I can’t believe we are in May – Mental Health Awareness Month – and I won’t lie, my intention to stay light-hearted in April didn’t quite go to plan
Nine years ago, I made a decision to try and become a friend to myself and create my best life. In that time, I went from being a Mum of two to a Mum of 4, I’ve had bouts of depression that felt like they would never end
There is often an empty feeling deep within me. I don’t know what triggers it every time. It can be celebrating a birthday and realising more time has gone by and I haven’t achieved what I had hoped
One of the most valuable lessons I learned from 2022 that I am taking with me into the new year is that you can always start again. Whenever you want. However many times you need to. Let me explain
People need to understand that school does not make you who you are
Bill Gates. Steve Jobs. Albert Einstein. The list goes on - successful people who went on to pursue incredible achievements without a degree
I didn’t want a new friend…after all, I hardly had time to keep up with the ones I had. But lo and behold, she arrived unexpectedly on my doorstep one unsuspecting day and turned my world upside down
Accountability will set you free
Have you ever been around someone that sucks the energy out of the room? It could be a friend or relative that you only schedule into your diary once every few months because you know they’re going to drain you with their negativity
Navigating student life with an anxiety disorder
I remember the Saturday I moved to university. I’d never seen the campus or accommodation before but made the last-minute decision to go for it
Undiagnosed autism – a letter to my younger self
If you could see me now, you might not quite believe that it’s an older (and slightly wiser) version of yourself
Why i talk about mental health
I started my podcast in April 2021 because two teens in my local area both took their own lives in late 2020, both within a few weeks of each other. I started the podcast for them
Overcoming social anxiety: 7 things I’d say to my 20-year-old self
This is NOT a story of "he overcame social anxiety and he's now a social butterfly and feels zero anxiety". I still struggle with social anxiety from time to time
What happens inside our minds when we are grieving? I have asked myself this question a few times, since my own mam, Eileen, passed away and I do not know. Something shifts around, in our minds, hearts, and souls
50 small things in life that aren’t actually that small
I was talking to someone recently who reminded me about the small joys in life. Sometimes it takes a total stranger to open our eyes to the everyday things surrounding you in your life
No matter what point we are in our lives, I believe there is a story inside each of us that can inspire another. The most popular episodes on my podcast – Talk About It – are not of those who are industry professionals, or well-known celebrities
Feeling the benefits after three years of transcendental meditation
I told myself I would write another piece after a few years of meditation, as the practice really is a slow burner for healing
For quite a long time I avoided spending any time alone at all costs. Part of the reason was depression – I simply couldn’t spend time alone without becoming lonely – but once the depression faded away I was still reluctant to be alone
October in Ireland is the threshold of the ancient time of year called Samhain. For the ancient inhabitants of our land it was far more than the change of season, or even the festival of Hallowe’en, though that is an ancient Irish tradition too, where the division between our world and the otherworld was at its thinnest
Opening the front door: Overcoming agoraphobia and severe anxiety
Agoraphobia is a form of anxiety that can grow so severe that you can’t leave your home. At its worst, my agoraphobia didn’t let me leave my bedroom
While living in an evolving world where everyone wants to make a difference and referring to anything unusual as “unique”. Yet, we still can’t accept the differences between us, nor accept the reality that feels unacceptable sometimes
There was a time when a young boy of mine wanted to travel and work with endangered species. He also wanted to own a snake and passionately supported campaigns such as Save the Rhino
Research shows that 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies, 70% of whom admit to withdrawing from activities as a consequence. One of the activities I was determined to put an end to was opting out of photographs and erasing our history
Life gets messy and busy and tiring, yes – but life is also beautiful and momentous and joyous and bright. We often let the little things get us down, which is why it is so important to note all the simple things in life that bring us joy
September awakes: cultivating healthy school relationships
As a therapist working with children in traumatic situations, the priority is always to develop a relationship with the child first before the real work begins
You are amazing. You might not believe that right now but I know deep down in my bones that you are. And also that you have the power to unlock all the joy you could ever imagine and more. How do I know this?
Being truly present in the now has never been my strong point. I fret over past mistakes and agonize over future challenges. The 'now' often has very little room in my consciousness. Like a cat stuck in a lift with two elephants, space is very much at a premium
Life is beautiful if you know where to look
Suicide is a taboo word in Ireland. We don’t like to face the reality of it, unless of course it comes into our lives. At the age of 5 I lived in a North London council estate with my Mam, it was always just the two of us
How’s it going? It was good to talk to you the last day on Zoom. I hope you are feeling a bit better. It was fine that you had your camera off. I was just glad to talk to you and hear how you are doing
Getting off the hamster wheel of toxic productivity
Eight years ago, as a newly qualified Irish nurse, it was a common scenario for me to work seven twelve-hour night shifts in a row
It’s a rainy, April morning in 2021. I’m sat at my desk with my headphones on, microphone positioned, staring at my psychologist on the other side of a webcam wondering: “Why is she so focused on the arguments in the car?”
Minding your mental health during exam season
The month of May comes as an imperative moment for every student of Ireland – exam season. Tensions are high. Stress is palpable. Libraries are crammed. The temperatures rise in tandem with the level of pressure felt
Grappling with medication and inconsistency in the mental health services
Recently I managed to misjudge the amount of tablets that I had and ran out before I could order more
You are never alone, no matter how lonely you feel
When 2020 came to a close, I was going through one of the most difficult periods of my life. Not only were we in another lockdown but I was writing my dissertation from home while also experiencing my first ever ending of a serious relationship
My world As the monday fears start to reappear The monster comes alive in my head I shiver.. I shake .. I hide it ... I go to bed. Fake the sickness a day or two will do Play the game, tell myself the truth will come out I haven’t the strength to confess maybe take the approach to careless
I’ve been thinking of you. Last time we spoke you weren’t in great form. You sounded lonely. I know the past two years have been really crap. You haven’t been able to hang out with people your own age. You were stuck at home
Most of my life I calculated whether I was a good human being by whether other people were happy with me. As a child my parents fought a lot and my mind quickly decided that if I wasn’t able to make them feel better I was failing
My journey with an eating disorder
Out of nowhere this morning, the mention of Eating Disorders Week at the beginning of March gave me an intense desire to share something that I never thought I would want to share openly
Important things I’ve learnt since I recovered from bulimia
I started dieting when I was just 16 years old. A combination of being bullied at my previous school, along with some unsolicited comments about my body
When you think of low self esteem or self worth, you probably think this is a condition only that teenage girls have to overcome. But what about boys and men? What does it look like? It meant that I was constantly comparing myself to others
Alcohol – A sticking plaster on a broken leg
Drinking brought relief. It gave me a window of a few hours in which to feel ok. The mornings after were frequently dreadful but at least I had been able to breathe for a part of the previous day
Why we shouldn’t try to fix grief
It is so very difficult to understand grief and all its nuances if we haven’t experienced profound loss ourselves. Without understanding grief, it is easy to think that it is a sad feeling that someone experiences
Sending out love to everyone struggling with how they feel inside their bodies right now, I know from experience it’s a horrible, lonely & seemingly never ending place to be
The illusion of you part 2: Seeing yourself as a community
Striking the balance between living in the moment and planning for the future is possibly one of the most difficult things for us to do
The multi-hyphenate career: Living your life by design rather than default
‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’. This is a question we all got asked undoubtedly at some point in our childhood
The illusion of you: Finding your true self
I once heard that every 7 years all the cells in your body are replaced. There's been studies done on that. Old cells get replaced, so the physical version of you that exists now is literally completely different to the one that existed 7 years ago
The loss of a parent is devastating. Never something we plan for. It turns our world upside down, leaving us in a state of shock, grief, heartbreak and despair. When a parent dies unexpectedly we are not prepared
Reflections of being in therapy for a year
I’ve found it’s possible to lie to the therapist, to social media or even in the deepest one on one holy moment with a close best friend
Two years ago, united as a country, we were thrown into the unknown – a global pandemic. For months on end, we saw no-one but our own four walls and family members
Handle yourself with care when weariness shows up!
Often, there is no warning when weariness shows up. It can happen out of the blue even when you are feeling strong and resourceful and on top of things
Learning i’m worth getting help
I make no secret that I’ve suffered from depression; it’s something that snuck up on me in the form of negative thoughts that chipped away at my self-esteem until I was left feeling worthless. By the time I realised I needed help, I had decided I was not worth it
It was a Saturday morning and I woke up in the acute psychiatric ward in Ennis, Co. Clare
Is Your Care and protection leading your child towards anxiety and depression?
Every parent wants to do their best for their kids. They always want to give the best to their children
I couldn’t leave the house, it had been a few days and I knew a familiar pattern had encroached. I was stuck. I wanted to go out, it seemed such a lovely day. The winter sun shone through and it was dry and clear
Is Mental Health Stigma worsening the new norm of teletherapy? During this global crisis, the majority of the human population has shifted their workspace to a digital mode
They crept in like spiders inside an old shed, these awful voices inside my head. It started as whispers, from people I knew, they talked about me and the things they would do
4 things oysters taught me about overcoming imposter syndrome
I was standing in the ballroom at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square preparing my next move. My 3 piece suit clung to my body and I could feel the sweat dripping from my forehead to my eyelids
We need to talk. It’s not me, it’s you. Although for years, you made me think I was the one with the problem. But you created it. Manipulated it. Controlled it. Relished in it. You made me believe that I must label myself in order to fit in with society
Coming full circle with mental health
Like so many others, once Covid hit and lockdown was upon on us I had time on my hands and time to think. For someone like myself who suffers from Anxiety, having time to think isn’t always beneficial. But, this time it was different
Mental health routines and the real meaning of self-care
A mental health routine is a list of daily activities and tasks that you do to ease and improve your mental well-being. If it sounds like a strange notion, that’s because we’re used to thinking of health as a solely physical characteristic
Chill out with cartoons to escape the stress of daily life
It’s been a bleak 18 months, fluctuating between varying states of lockdown and restrictions. In that time, we’ve all found ways to occupy our time at home
How writing saved my life, a journey
Do you know what it is to feel like you’re drowning? Your lungs are filling up with water, you’re forgetting how to breath, everything is slowing down and you’re running out of time
Today I cried bucket loads and feel about as low as I’ve ever felt. While trying to work my chest felt tight with anxiety as tears leaked down my face. I had to skip some scheduled meetings, and now I’m left feeling like the biggest failure
Unable to detach – why I can’t stop thinking about the housing crisis
I think about the housing crisis every single day. Some days it’s the first sentient thought that enters my head, the vultures claw away at my brain before it’s properly woken up
Why do we feel the need to fit in?
I was watching random YouTube videos when I happened to stumble on a video with a title that piqued my interest. The video was titled "It's pronounced GIF." My first thought was "Ah, I knew I was correct"
Don’t they say you have to make it by 30?
I experienced 2 years of major shifts within 4 years of each other leading up to age 29 among a few other key points in my life. My company went broke, relationships were changing, friends got married or moved away
Living with panic attacks: Difficult, yet possible
I always felt that time is a key component in many issues. We hurry and worry. We struggle and get a win. Time management seems something accessible in out fast-paced pressurized modern world
The psychological importance of temporal perception
Time is our scarcest resource and most of us feel that we do not have enough of it. Yet, how quickly we perceive time to pass is dependent upon our perceptions
As children, we are thought that there are good lies and bad lies. Good lies – saying you enjoyed the dinner your gran made, even though you hated it. Even the dog you tried to feed it to under the table spat it out
Creative ways to stop overthinking things
Constantly ruminating over situations can take a toll on your mental health, but these in-the-moment tips can help you finally let go
Creating a world where women can feel angry and men can cry
A vital factor in my personal growth was understanding that there is nothing wrong with communicating and feeling negative emotions such as sadness and anger
In the space of five days, I heard seven of my school classmates say that they wanted plastic surgery/botox when they were older. Their explanation: they didn’t like their bodies. These girls were only sixteen
Successfully living with schizoaffective disorder
For almost 15 years I have lived with an acute mental illness known as schizoaffective disorder. For me, this illness manifests itself in episodes of mania, depression and psychosis
Finding my calling in introversion
Thanks to constant the positive reinforcement in social media by now we at least understand that introversion is a personality trait and not a weakness or negative characteristics in humans. Though we still have a long way to go but we will reach there eventually
A personal path to moments of Micro-Patience
The light turns green, the white Honda Accord in front of me seems to sit even more motionless than it had been while the light was red. The longest three seconds of all time pass
After the Pandemic cracked & bruised but not broken
What will we think in 10 years’ time when we look back and reflect on the years that were 2020 & 2021? Certainly, this was a period like no other. We will be part of history, survivors of a worldwide collective trauma
My mental health, like so many other people, is something that I have struggled with for many years. Struggles with mental health affect people all around us in different ways, even though we might not be aware
Grief from an adult’s perspective
It’s only a week since I’ve returned to my Dublin home, only a week since it registered that my dad would never again visit, a week where life continues, and the days go on
The “Circle of Trust” is a phrase many people will associate with the film Meet the Fockers but I’ve come to realise it is not just a term from a comedy film but a belief system that when broken or damaged leads to a pattern of destructive behaviour and a falsified opinion of the wider world
When I was a child, I often accompanied my mother to see an elderly friend in a semi-independent residential setting. I loved walking around the grounds and making friends with the other residents
The panic attack that changed my life
It was about 7pm, in late November 2018. I was boarding a flight from London to Dublin following a meeting with one of our clients where I had presented our latest work to a large group of senior execs
2018; in contrast to my colourful active Instagram profile, this was a low year - it is when all of my silent struggles, came to a boiling point. I suffered nearly every day with generalised anxiety and suffered panic attacks
How I came to love myself and challenge the chaos in my head
That night when I arrived home, I thought to myself if I can’t even do this right, then what is the point? What do I have left to offer?
The Fahy family – VHI Women’s Mini Marathon training diary
We are the Fahy family. My name is Michelle, our children are Erin and Cara (who are 8 & 5yrs old) and, along with my husband, we live in a beautiful town called Newcastle in Dublin
MindfulWest Run: A letter to my 16-year-old self..
Dear 16-year-old me, Feel the fear and do it anyway. You don’t know it yet but you will shortly discover a book with this title by Susan Jeffers, and it will give you a sense of reassurance
Mental health is topic that is close to my heart, having lost my sister to suicide 12 years ago when she was only 34. This was back at a time when there was such a stigma attached to suicide
