“This my diagnosis as far as I can remember!

By 1982 I had been admitted twice to a psychiatric ward because of severe depression. This, initially, was put down to postnatal depression and eventually diagnosed as manic depression after another depressive episode. I was never officially told what the diagnosis was. I presumed it was bipolar when I read about lithium as a common treatment for the condition. I questioned this and it was confirmed, eventually, by a psychiatrist. I was on lithium for a number of years, but lithium was finally phased out when I was diagnosed with stage 3 chronic kidney disease.

I do not believe that I was ever “manic” – creative, energetic, enthusiastic, ambitious – YES! Was the diagnosis just a handy label? I’m not sure!

I’ve had a few hospital admissions as well as home visits by CPNs, up until 2006. I was fortunate to have very supportive managers and colleagues at work in my Community Education. I did not feel I was at the receiving end of stigma or gossip. And for almost 18 years I have maintained good mental health, have 5 grandchildren, run an art gallery, sung, swum, exercised, painted and am now writing a one act play about mental health!”