Welcome To My Blog: Diving Into Mental Health

Hi there! I'm Laura, and I just want to start by saying a big thank you for stopping by here. This is my very first blog post, eek! You're probably reading these first few sentences and wondering what on Earth is this blog going to be about? Well, that is what I'm here to tell you...

This blog is going to be about mental health. I'm going to write about my experiences of mental health, share tips and tricks which I've learned, and just be blatantly honest about what it's like living with a mind like this. By that, I mean one which is riddled with depression, anxiety, OCD, and a few other things thrown in for good measure. I may also talk about physical health as I have something called Ehlers Danlos syndrome, which kicks my bum every so often. Yes, I'm a Zebra for those in the know!

I'll also talk more in depth occasionally about the science behind the mind and how it works (what with me being a scientist) and also from a more therapeutic view (what with me also being a trained therapist).

I figured as this is my first blog article, I'd share a little bit about myself for those who have randomly stumbled across this page somewhere on the interweb. So without further ado...

I'm Laura Rose. I'm female and in my mid (well, mid-late) thirties. I've been diagnosed with depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) since my early twenties, although there were signs of anxiety since I was a wee child. I also may have a bit of an ADHD brain (awaiting the official assessment as I type), but as yet it is unconfirmed. I also have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which causes me joint issues like dislocations and things. I fondly like to describe it as 'my joints go out more often than I do'. I also talk way too much and far too honestly for some people, but at least if you don't like my style you can click the cross on the top of the page and be done with me, rather than having to listen to my voice droning on! I have a bit of a dark sense of humour which may come out in the posts, or I may finally show some impulsive control (stranger things have happened, I'm sure).

I had always been a bit of a perfectionist and a people pleaser, generally anxiety, and pretty logical and sensibly minded. I've held a variety of jobs which include roles such as scientist, therapist, coach, shop assistant, hula hoop teacher and theatre worker. Now I can add 'Author' to that list, as I wrote a book called "I'm not that depressed... An honest account of (ill) health", which is about...well...I'm sure you can guess what it's about!

Hobbies: I love knitting, attempting crochet, drinking tea, building Lego, reading, watching films, playing music, and cosying up under a fluffy blanket.

I hope that little introduction gives you an idea of who I am and how this blog will be.

One little note I'd like to leave this first blog post on is this:

Depression sucks. It sucks big time. I've had it on and off for over a decade, and I hate it. I don't fear it anymore, but I can't blooming well stand it. It sucks the joy and motivation out of me and leaves me with a numbness as well as a sense of completely overwhelming hopelessness. And all of this, while I try my best to wear a mask to show the world that I'm fine, it's fine, everything's fine.

Depression is not fine. Depression sucks.

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My first book, I'm Not That Depressed... is available to buy now. Click here to head to Amazon to grab your copy.