Author Archives: Melissa Mackay

When things start turning south and you feel an episode coming on, there are plenty of telltale signs that are like “early warnings”. Like when a thunderstorm is approaching, you can see it building in the distance, but as yet no thunder or lightening. It comes with time, practice and being aware of your ownContinue reading “An Aching Body and Fragile Mind”

It’s important to have a network of support around you. People that can help you when times are tough. Not just medical support As in doctor or psychiatrist but close friends and family. Family and a small group of close friends who know about your disorder sometimes pick up on a change in your moodContinue reading “Support network… family and friends”

There is no signs of any form of mental illness going back through either side of my family. Plus I think the jury is still out within the medical industry as to why some of us get the disorder and others don’t. My personal opinion is that if you perhaps are susceptible to it, andContinue reading “Is Bipolar Hereditary or Bad Lifestyle Choices”

When you are suffering severe depression regardless of what form of mental illness you have, the fact remains it is so hard to describe your thoughts to anyone. Unfortunately now that I am well I can now clearly remember every negative thought and frustration I felt when severely depressed. Here is some examples: Waking upContinue reading “Depression and the jumbled thought processes”

I can look back and laugh about this story but it wasn’t funny at the time. I was hospitalised for the last time in Sydney about 13 years ago now. Whilst there my mum and sister flew down from Queensland packed up my house, literally threw me in the back of my car after beingContinue reading “Hijacked from Hospital”

It’s a gorgeous evening on the Gold Coast, Australia tonight. Clear sky’s, the stars are out and it’s a beautiful full moon rising from the eastern sky. So that means… battern down the hatches and take some additional medication to ensure I get a good night sleep. I noticed the change last night, it tookContinue reading “It’s a “full moon” tonight….look out”

The above have been my stages or types of episodes in order of sequence when an extremely bad episode appears. Luckily my last one was about 8 years ago and I hopefully won’t have anymore as I am now properly diagnosed, on the correct medications and able to nip any changes of my behaviour immediately.Continue reading “My stages of a bad episode -Normal, high, manic, psychotic, high…depression”

It all starts with a blocked mind. Your thoughts are scattered, it feels like your brain has been cross circuited. One day you will be feeling fine, then the next your thoughts are jumbled. Maybe you had a bad night sleep, or no sleep at all. You continually get forced to get up out ofContinue reading “The first stages of a bad episode”

It’s spring time here in Australia and we haven’t had any rain for about 4 months. So what does that mean you may wonder…. well hay fever is rife. So much pollen in the air, as well as dust storms and smoke haze from recent bush fires. I don’t normally suffer from hay fever butContinue reading “Hay fever……”

Coffee is a must first thing in the morning to get me going. Side affects of meds gives me a sluggish start to the day. I limit my intake of coffee to no more than 4 cups a day and never any at night as it disturbs my sleep. A strong cup of sweet teaContinue reading “Coffee….yes please!”