My Mental Health Story and Pet Therapy

loopysos

My name is Lucy I run a lifestyle blog, I like having the freedom to express myself. I have experience with chronic illness and mental health illnesses, however I have had gone through challenges with mental health before I became chronically ill. It’s been a part of my life for a very long time, I know how isolating it is, confusing, tense and just this sense of low worth.

For me it started with an eating disorder, attending Secondary School your body changes naturally, but for me wanting to remain skinny, even though technically I wasn’t gaining weight. I was just growing like a normal kid/teenager, things around me were out of my control being abused (every form) since a child, I wanted to keep the essence of a child —that innocence. So for me it was controlling my weight. It didn’t matter that I was naturally slim in those days, I wanted to gain control, that was my way. Then entering college years, my housing situations was out of my control, so went back into that control mentality, then the most devastating thing happened to me again — I was raped, so I didn’t eat. So, as you could imagine with an eating disorder and suffering with PTSD as teenager it was a lot!

When I hit my 20’s thankfully my eating disorder calmed down and got to the point of recovery. Sadly, I had other mental health issues that arose, anxiety. When becoming chronically ill I didn’t leave my home for weeks or even months at time, suddenly I was physically weak to the point couldn’t even feed myself. I didn’t recognise this person, I was always walking everywhere (for miles), jog around the park, I couldn’t walk, so I had fear going outside every time, and my anxiety just grew.  Went from being confident to not wanting to be outside. My chronic health was impacting me in a huge way, still does, just back then it was all new to me, even years later still learning (new diagnoses etc), trust me, someone who suffers with NEAD/FND meaning I can have seizures/or symptoms anywhere anytime, it’s a hard pill to swallow.

Anxiety can cause many sleepless nights, if I have somewhere to go, a meeting, appointment, social gathering, I’m anxious even when it’s family. I have hundreds of thoughts going through my head, say if this happens, etc, after occasion has happened, did I say this, how did I come across, honestly it’s relentless, like I said — doesn’t matter who I’ve been with, even by myself if I say something on social media, it’s exhausting. I don’t think people realise anxiety isn’t just about being bit nervous for something. 

There’s diagnoses saying I’ve had borderline personality disorder, split personality disorder these have been from mental health hospital assessments in my 20’s, I think I was being misunderstood. I wasn’t ashamed of those titles, but disliked how it was portrayed on documentaries, on the news, as made it seem, “Oh, they are violent or crazy,” and that’s far from the truth. Now in my 30’s those titles are dropped, although it will forever be in my medical history.

Depression, I know everyone has had their down days, imagine that being daily, hourly, being ok, then suddenly be enraged to the point you want to pull your own skin off. It’s not about being a bit low, for us, for me, times I get suicidal. Thoughts running through my head, I hope I don’t wake up tomorrow, I smile to the outside world, broken inside. I cry in the bathroom because I cannot control my feelings, I should be happy, people tell you, “what you have to worry about?”. So, I force yourself, but it’s not natural. Should be within.

Loneliness, “why can’t I just be normal?” But then what’s normal? How do you know the person telling you to be ok isn’t broken on the inside, feeling low, doubts, low self-esteem, or perhaps in huge debt etc?

I’ve had many years of therapy, been under different mental health teams since I was 14/15, still am but in different forms. If you or someone you know is suffering with any type of mental health illness, please seek professional help as soon as possible, don’t let your pride or anything get in the way. Please speak, don’t suffer in silence. I honestly ask you the public, how do you truly feel? I don’t want just “OK.”   

I love pets, they can sometimes be the best therapy, being an owner of a rabbit, a dog, and a lizard, I know too well!

To stay updated with Lucy’s story, you can visit her blog and follow her on Instagram. Can you relate to Lucy’s story and do you have any pets, if so, how many and how do they help with your mental health?

Antonia_Alumni

Thank you for sharing your story with us @loopysos

loobyloutou

Your post add tears to my left eye some of this is similar to me and some to a friend who doesn't like the prejudice of her named mental illness.
I hope you feel even more better than you do now, your paragraphs are inspiring and cheered my day as well as adding a tear

Antonia_Alumni

Thank you for sharing this with us @loobyloutou , glad this post cheered you up.

Adrian_Scope

Thank you for this @loopysos. It was a really raw and interesting read.

loopysos

Thank you @loobyloutou reading ya comment meant a lot to me, you have no idea, I'm sorry to hear about yourself and ya friend, that you found my post relatable, it's something to be spoken about, not hushed or tucked away. Thank you for taking the time to read my post. 

loopysos

I'm glad I had the opportunity to share my story @Antonia_Scope. Thank you @Adrian_Scope for reading it and leaving me comment, took a lot of guts to share it. 

Chloe_Alumni

@loopysos, thank you so much for taking the time to write this for us! I found it really interesting and honest. Most certainly will be looking at your blog

loopysos

I recognise you, know of ya blog and social media via other people, thank you @Chloe_Scope reading it, hope you enjoy my blog and see ya on social media  

Chloe_Alumni

Small world @loopysos! I'm sure I will!

Ami2301

A powerful post @loopysos! I am sorry for all that you have been through. When I suffered really bad with anxiety a few years ago, I rehomed 2 Guinea pigs, looking after them helped massively as they gave me a sense of responsibility and boars (Male Guinea pigs) are very affectionate towards their owners so the extra love is lovely! They will be 4 next month and they are still very much my babies!

I wish you well on your journey

Antonia_Alumni

Lovely to hear @loopysos , thank you for your honesty and courage.

Antonia_Alumni

Thank you for sharing this with us @Ami2301 I'm glad to hear your Guinea pigs showed you love. How are they doing these days? Any plans for their birthdays?

Ami2301

They are doing well thank you ? hopefully going to get them a few new toys!

loopysos

I truly appreciate for reading it, and that you have pets that's brought you joy @Ami2301 also future happy birthdays to them. 

jpeg2016

Hello Lucy, firstly I'd like to say how I admire you. You have been through the mill and still want to help others with your wisdom and empathy. I want you to wake up each day and say 'ive got this I'm Lucy and I'm amazing' because you are. The world needs more people like you in it to show other people that it's ok to say I'm not ok. Thank you for sharing

loopysos

Thank you so much @jpeg2016 for all the amazing compliments, encouragement, means a lot honestly. 

glitterygutsx

Totally agree, animals are the best therapy! On those bad days where you are snuggled up on the sofa and you have the warmth and love of your furbaby - there truly is no better feeling! 

I also have mental and chronic health issues. 

Keep being brave.

-A