Sun 21 November 2021
Pastpartum Psychosis
knew about the baby blues and post-natal depression. What I didn’t know was that there are a percentage of women who experience the torture that is postpartum psychosis. I also didn’t know that no matter what health coverage you have, when you become psychotic and homicidal in a rural town and you lose all capacity and insight, you don’t get the luxury of a fancy private psych hospital. You are admitted to the nearest unit that can keep you and those around you safe.
Fri 12 November 2021
My Childhood Experience of Domestic Violence
I was raised in a violent household, both physically and emotionally, and my father was far from pleasant. He spent his life making sure that I felt completely and utterly worthless. I was riddled with shame, self-doubt, guilt and anxiety, and a multiude of other emotions that I still struggle to name today. To outsiders, Dad was charming, and we had a picture perfect family, but behind closed doors all the pretence fell away.
Mon 01 November 2021
The Power of Story Telling
In our work at Highway to Well, we are privileged to bear witness to many incredible stories from amazing people every single day. We are forever changed and shaped by them. It’s our pleasure to be able to capture some of them here in the hope that by sharing these stories we can demystify mental illness, we can normalise help seeking, we can improve our understanding of peoples experiences, but mostly, we can be inspired and moved by the bravery and resilience of these incredible individuals.
Mon 01 November 2021
The Pros and Cons of Empathy and Feeling
I see the alternative narrative now, my ability to deeply connect and emotionally empathise makes me who I am. Furthermore, it has afforded me the opportunity to create a real difference with the people I work with. Genuine empathy leads to connection and a safe space for people to be truly vulnerable – this is where I can make a difference.
Tue 12 October 2021
Living With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
As I have been so private with my struggle it means they have not seen the obsessive and compulsive components to a condition like this and how debilitating it can be. I needed them to understand the impacts of when things aren’t lined up perfectly or the sequence of my routines are interrupted, how debilitating and life altering this can be, with the all-consuming anxiety and frustration, complete and total devastation ensues.
Mon 04 October 2021
Understanding Binge Eating Disorder
Every emotion I have is connected with food – if I am bored, lonely, sad, distressed, anxious or overwhelmed… then I eat. If I am having a good day or something good happens then celebration with food occurs. I spend my days feeling so misunderstood and scared because it’s a horrible way to live. On the outside I just look like the happy thick girl, jovial and on the overweight side but living her best life. What an absolute false narrative of a life to live by.