The SANE Blog

“Having a bipolar episode, is different, in every decade of your life.”  

This is what the psychiatrist told me, when I confessed I was having an affair, had changed my career to being a Landscape Gardener, was organising my divorce, plus a move out of the home my kids and I had lived in with my ex-husband. “Really?” I said. “I thought I was just having a mid-life crisis while being medicated successfully for bipolar disorder?”  

“No”, he said, “you are having an episode in your 40s and you have a lot more resources and a much more complex presentation than you had during the onset episode in your 20s when you were manically working in a nightclub, squatting in a commercial building and flunking courses in your university degree.” “Oh”, I said. Then just to add a little bit of witty repartee to the conversation, he added, “You are taking ‘bush’ regeneration to a whole new level.” I breathed, a sigh, at this point, because of all the bipolar episodes suddenly flashing through my memory, this one was going to be the most life changing.  

When now in my 50s, I look back, seeing there are intergenerational mental health symptoms in my family. My maternal grandfather was hospitalised in the 1930s with depression. This is the first documented mental health episode in my family. Then the line runs to me, then from me to my sons. A predisposition for bipolar disorder definitely runs in my family. Unlike earlier generations, though, my sons and I talk about our mental health with each other. They know the signs; they know the ‘pack drill’ and they have all visited me in a psychiatric ward. My children have grown up with the understanding that a psychiatrist is as essential as a good GP.  

Yet, for all of our joint knowledge and lived experience, this has not prevented us from having mental health episodes – it just helps us navigate therapy when we need a psychologist, or which medications work in our family, and the way we make sure that we are there for each other with maybe a little less stigma. ‘Untreated’ mental health episodes are rare in our family. We are more likely to think that maybe it’s ‘mental’ rather than ‘physical’. 

As we step into a new year, many of us take the time to reflect on the past and think about how we can create positive change in our lives. For those on a mental health recovery journey, the new year can be an ideal moment to set meaningful goals and establish habits that nurture wellbeing.

However, the pressure to make big, sweeping resolutions can feel overwhelming. It's important to remember that everyone’s recovery journey is different, and resolutions don’t have to be about reaching ‘full recovery’ or aiming for the impossible - they’re about taking small, positive steps along the way.

As highlighted in my article last year on Adapting to the New Year and Managing the Mental Load, adjusting your expectations and focusing on small, realistic steps can help lighten the mental burden.

Importance of Setting Recovery Goals

Setting goals is an empowering process. Whether big or small, goals provide direction, a sense of accomplishment, and improve overall wellbeing. Recovery from mental health challenges is rarely a linear journey, and the path will look different for everyone. What’s critical is that each person sets goals that are relevant to their own needs, progress, and state of mind.

Recovery goals aren’t about a distant, often unrealistic vision of achieving a “cure.” They’re about setting practical steps that move you forward in a sustainable way, focusing on your strengths to create a satisfying and fulfilling life. Some days, the goal might be getting out of bed and getting dressed, while on other days, you might aim to take a walk around the block or engage in a social activity. Every small victory counts.

Every day, more than one million Australians live with a psychosocial disability - a term that refers to the impact of a complex mental health condition on a person’s capacity to function in daily life.

However, a recent national report from the Department of Health and Aged Care highlighted a troubling issue. Nearly 500,000 Australians are missing out on the critical benefits of psychosocial support. This gap exists largely because the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) which is designed to provide these supports, often makes it difficult for people with psychosocial disabilities to access the scheme.

December 3 is a timely occasion to acknowledge this issue in view of International Day of People with Disability. This post explores what psychosocial disability is, how psychosocial support can help, barriers to accessing the NDIS, and how innovative digital psychosocial support services like those offered by SANE can assist in bridging the gap.

What is Psychosocial Disability?

Psychosocial disability refers to the functional challenges that people experience due to a complex mental health condition. These conditions include:

• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Severe anxiety or depression
• Other mental health conditions that significantly impair daily functioning

Psychosocial disability can affect various aspects of life which include:

Homelessness can happen to anyone, and for dean, it was a journey that tested his resilience and strength.

Every year on March 30, World Bipolar Day is observed to raise awareness about Bipolar Disorder and to eliminate stigma surrounding this complex mental health condition. It's a day to educate, support, and advocate for those living with Bipolar Disorder, as well as their loved ones. This blog post delves into a general overview of what Bipolar Disorder is, how to differentiate between its subtypes, signs to watch for, common misconceptions, treatment options, and resources for support and management. 

International Women's Day is celebrated on 8 March, highlighting the achievements and hurdles faced by women across the globe. A critical aspect of any challenges is mental health, influenced by the distinct biological, social, and emotional shifts that women navigate through various stages of life. This post delves into these stages, the mental health issues they may entail, signs to watch for, and strategies and resources for support and management.

The festive season is often portrayed as a time of joy, togetherness, and merriment. It's a time when families come together to celebrate, share traditions, and create cherished memories. 

However, for individuals impacted by complex mental health issues and their caregivers, the season can bring a unique set of challenges. These are discussed, with strategies on how to manage them.

I grew up completely ‘normal’, or at least in my own narrow mind it was. I did what I wanted when I wanted, went places without physical challenges, social or emotional. Played community and school sports, performed in bands, productions – I was absolutely, “normal”. I had no true understanding or construct of disability - or so I thought. I thought that because I had no form of diagnosed disability, I was much like everyone else and everything in my life I was exposed to. I saw disability as, “different”. How wrong I was.  

Therese is a passionate social work student and hiker who has worked in early education for over 20 years. She grew up with a father who had schizophrenia. Last week Therese spoke with SANE about her experience of living with someone with a complex mental illness, how things have evolved over time, and how talking about everything has helped.

Share your thoughts and create a conversation about psychosocial wellbeing.