Post by Malen Steptoe on Jan 15, 2014 21:02:12 GMT 9.5
Given that I have set up the foundations for The Steptoe Lodge Network to grow upon and I am asking others to join me, build this community and share their stories, I think it only appropriate that I share mine with you as well.
I have suffered from Mental Health Disorders since I was around 12 or 13, however nothing was suspected until my early 20’s and even then I did not get first diagnosed until my late 20’s.
Initially, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and was treated with medication and eventually Exposure Response Therapy. OCD was, at the time, completely overwhelming my life. There was little of my life that was not affected by this sinister disorder. However, there was much more going on than just OCD, but because it was so encompassing it was hard for my Psychiatrist to see beyond this.
Over the years since I received my first Mental Health diagnosis, those treating me have diagnosed me with a bit of a list of disorders including;
Major Depression
General Anxiety Disorder
Panic/Panic Attack Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Depersonalization Disorder
Derealization Disorder
Agoraphobia
Trichotillomania
Along with these I struggle with self-harm and suicidal idealisation, I also experience episodes of Insomnia and Hypersomnia and there is current consideration that I also have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
About 5 months ago, I was hospitalised due to Major Depression. I was unable to take care of myself, self-harming and was struggling with suicidal idealisation to the point that I had made plans on how I was going to take my own life. So far I have yet to return to normal life or to work, the journey to recover from this period of my life has been a long one. However, I do expect to start my return to work process in the next couple of weeks, I was actually supposed to start a few weeks ago, but my employer needed further documentation from my Psychiatrist before I will be able to return. Being that it is the Christmas/New Year period my Psychiatrist has been on annual leave and I have to wait until he returns to be able to get this documentation for them. Initially, it will only be 4 hours a day twice a week but it is a start and one that I am very much looking forward to. It was during my recovery that I came up with the idea of creating The Steptoe Lodge Network.
For a few years now I have been blogging about my Mental Health issues and have been writing a book I have titled “A Mind Not My Own”. The book isn’t finished yet, however you can read what I have written so far, along with my blog at www.malensteptoe.com. This can also be accessed via The Steptoe Lodge Network website, www.steptoelodge.com.
I have suffered from Mental Health Disorders since I was around 12 or 13, however nothing was suspected until my early 20’s and even then I did not get first diagnosed until my late 20’s.
Initially, I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and was treated with medication and eventually Exposure Response Therapy. OCD was, at the time, completely overwhelming my life. There was little of my life that was not affected by this sinister disorder. However, there was much more going on than just OCD, but because it was so encompassing it was hard for my Psychiatrist to see beyond this.
Over the years since I received my first Mental Health diagnosis, those treating me have diagnosed me with a bit of a list of disorders including;
Major Depression
General Anxiety Disorder
Panic/Panic Attack Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Depersonalization Disorder
Derealization Disorder
Agoraphobia
Trichotillomania
Along with these I struggle with self-harm and suicidal idealisation, I also experience episodes of Insomnia and Hypersomnia and there is current consideration that I also have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
About 5 months ago, I was hospitalised due to Major Depression. I was unable to take care of myself, self-harming and was struggling with suicidal idealisation to the point that I had made plans on how I was going to take my own life. So far I have yet to return to normal life or to work, the journey to recover from this period of my life has been a long one. However, I do expect to start my return to work process in the next couple of weeks, I was actually supposed to start a few weeks ago, but my employer needed further documentation from my Psychiatrist before I will be able to return. Being that it is the Christmas/New Year period my Psychiatrist has been on annual leave and I have to wait until he returns to be able to get this documentation for them. Initially, it will only be 4 hours a day twice a week but it is a start and one that I am very much looking forward to. It was during my recovery that I came up with the idea of creating The Steptoe Lodge Network.
For a few years now I have been blogging about my Mental Health issues and have been writing a book I have titled “A Mind Not My Own”. The book isn’t finished yet, however you can read what I have written so far, along with my blog at www.malensteptoe.com. This can also be accessed via The Steptoe Lodge Network website, www.steptoelodge.com.