Some words from Mum
You hear from me all the time. But, when it comes down to it, I’m not the one who has experienced depression first hand. So I asked Mum to write a few sentences on anything about her illness that she is happy to share.
Below is what Mum wrote, both about the times she was extremely unwell, and about how she feels today.
“Bipolar disorder has impacted on me and my family big time. It must have been ghastly for my husband and children in a household clouded by this serious mental illness and in hindsight, my many hospital admissions must have been well-earned respite for them! Not even the low-point of being made redundant from the part-time job I enjoyed and was good at, in part because I was on sick leave too often and had ‘mood issues’, made me accept that I had a problem.
“Over the years I’ve passed across the files of heaps of psych professionals, but a turning point was being assigned to a psychiatrist, psychologist and community health nurse that I got on with, could trust and would listen to. Maybe too, I’d finally realised that this competitive, high-achieving woman who’d assumed she could control her life herself, would always need medications and support from psych professionals. Realising that family and friends weren’t actually ‘getting at me’, but trying to help was a big step towards where I am now too. THANKYOU, I LOVE YOU!
“Being well enough now to resume part-time work is a big milestone and has given me a new sense of worth, normality and friends. With my improved mood stability, acceptance of my illness and increased self-confidence, I’ve gradually opened up and it’s amazing how accepting everyone ‘out there’ is. I’m not the nutter I thought I was.
“Feeling good about yourself and improving your self-esteem is a big issue for mental health patients and a good way to help that is engaging in sport. It’s a well-known fact that the endorphins released during sport are good, natural mood-boosters. Sport is a major part of my life and many of my achievements have been in the sports arena, mostly mountain biking and running, both for pleasure and competitively. It’s easy for those with psychiatric problems to concentrate on their failures which may be overwhelming, but with exercise, you’re an immediate success – you’re doing it!”
Keep well,
Paddi Hodgkiss (Rotorua, NZ)
With Mum, April 2011
There are a couple of affirmations I regularly remind myself of:
“The door of opportunity won’t open unless you do some pushing”.
“What you can dream you can do, begin it”. (Johann von Goethe)
