Gabby : Thank you all of you . To the best of your ability , can you describe what your mental illness feels like to you , so how does it affect you ?
R : It feels like you are suffocating 24 / 7 , whilst also trying to live and breathe like everyone else . G : I ’ ve always slipped into really depressive phases in my life . I still don ’ t feel good enough but when I fall off the edge with it everyone can tell I ’ m not me . I end up crying a lot and feeling like a failure . Just not wanting to be me , and I felt like I was watching someone else live my life but I was watching myself failing . O : My mental health feels different each day , one day I will be less anxious the next day I will be super anxious . To me , it feels like it is always going to be part of my life .
Gabby : Thank you for being so brave , you ’ ve obviously all gone through a really tough time . Do you have any coping techniques that you use which you could share with us so people who are in a similar situation can maybe use your coping techniques ?
R : Breathing exercises are a good strategy if you are in environments like exam halls or general day to day places . Another strategy which I use a large amount of the time is distracting myself by doing other activities , which allows me to take my mind off what is going on in my head . I think it is also important to speak to those around if you are feeling vulnerable . G : As far as coping goes , not really no . I just know when I can feel myself slipping over the edge and so when that happens I just try not to . Sometimes , it ’ s really hard though .
O : A big technique for me is breathing . People tend to not pay attention to your breathing , but when you concentrate on your breathing it really helps , and always make sure you are in a happy environment to keep your mind occupied .
Gabby : Thank you for being so brave , you ’ ve obviously all gone through a really tough time . Do you have any coping techniques that you use which you could share with us so people who are in a similar situation can maybe use your coping techniques ?
R : Breathing exercises are a good strategy if you are in environments like exam halls or general day to day places . Another strategy which I use a large amount of the time is distracting myself by doing other activities , which allows me to take my mind off what is going on in my head . I think it is also important to speak to those around if you are feeling vulnerable . G : As far as coping goes , not really no . I just know when I can feel myself slipping over the edge and so when that happens I just try not to . Sometimes , it ’ s really hard though . O : A big technique for me is breathing . People tend to not pay attention to your breathing , but when you concentrate on your breathing it really helps , and always make sure you are in a happy environment to keep your mind occupied .