Challenges Archives — The Invisible F

Challenges Moods

Advocates excited but say more research needed after latest fibromyalgia research say it could be autoimmune

I welcome the new research (any research really, please) that suggests fibromyalgia may be “an autoimmune response that increases the activity of pain-sensing nerves throughout…

Challenges Depression Mental health

How a plant, a cat and conversation brought me from the brink of a mental precipice

potofcallaloo May 9, 2021 2 Comments anxiety Depression grief love Mental health Mental Health Awareness Week nature therapy suicidal ideation suicide

Last June, at the height of the covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, I wanted to die. Quite suddenly, I had lost my Ma. Grief fed my…

Challenges

International Women’s Day: Choose to challenge

potofcallaloo March 7, 2021 2 Comments fibromyalgia gender health gap gender inequalities inequalities International Womens Day women's health women's rights

As if facing a barrage of inequalities, and discrimination in our relationships, communities and workplaces isn’t enough, inequalities facing women also extend to our health;…

Challenges

How to get through Christmas 2020

potofcallaloo December 23, 2020 4 Comments Christmas 2020 Christmas alone Christmas and mental health Coping with Christmas Covid-19 and Christmas Holidays 2020 hope

I think it’s fair to say that many people are dreading Christmas of 2020. It’s been a rotten year, yes, and to add more rottenness,…

Challenges Mental health

Why World Mental Health is even more important this year

potofcallaloo October 10, 2020 No Comments Mental health mental wellbeing wellbeing WMHD World mental health day world Mental Health Day 2020

World Mental HealthDay 2020. Where to even start?

Challenges

Fibromyalgia and chronic pain patients in for battle over painkillers

potofcallaloo August 5, 2020 No Comments chronic pain fibromyalga managing chronic pain NICE guidelines painkillers do more harm

For those of us who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia during that time when doctors knew little of it and said things like, “it’s all in your head,” or ‘just be thankful you’re not dying of cancer” like that New York City doctor once said to me, this will be reminiscent of those dark periods of when we were prescribed antidepressants and daily exercise and sent on our way.

Challenges Meds & Remedies

How not to lose your mind during the Coronavirus pandemic

potofcallaloo March 25, 2020 No Comments anxiety Coronavirus COVID-19 Depression pandemic

The Coronavirus is testing more than our resilience. It’s trying our humanity. My generation and many younger ones would not have experienced anything like it…

Challenges

Coping in a time of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

potofcallaloo March 16, 2020 No Comments anxiety corona corona mental health Coronavirus COVID-19 How to manage mental health during lockdown Mental health mentalhealth wellbeing

These are difficult times. As nations try to contain and curb the spread of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, there’s plenty of worrying going on about…

Challenges

Trauma retriggered

potofcallaloo December 12, 2019 2 Comments C-PTSD Depression Mental health mental health problems PTSD trauma

Right now I do not know what tomorrow holds but I’ve made it till now. I’ve plastered up the cracks and glued together the broken bits. That is a victory. Till the next day.

Challenges

My disability exists even if you can’t see it

potofcallaloo December 3, 2019 2 Comments disability hidden disabilities international day of people with disabilities invisible disabilities

Understand that just because you can’t see a disability, it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Just because someone looks well on the outside, doesn’t mean that they are. Just because they’re working doesn’t mean it’s not ‘that’ bad. You don’t know the sacrifices and efforts people make to get through the day.