Learning to be more consistent

~ Vickyw

picture of key

In 2020 I will be learning to be more consistent instead of making lots of plans which I fail to achieve then I get depressed and angry when they don’t materialise.

I didn’t bother to go out and celebrate this New Year, I decided that I would try and see if New Year’s eve 2020 will be a better year and will give me something positive to celebrate.

I’ve been told that if I want to achieve I have to learn to be more consistent and give my blogging audience and YouTube audience regular content to look out for.

I often start really enthusiastic and have spells of being overactive and then when I’m depressed I stop posting content as I never have the drive or energy for it.

Despite not achieving what I wanted to on my blogs and vlogs, I did manage to make the top 10 Vuelio UK blogs and I was featured on bloggers spotlight.

Featuring on the website was the best thing I achieved in 2019.

Many of you will have written or read blog posts about New Year’s resolutions and getting organised for 2020. I’m not setting myself any goals this year.

I could talk all day about fitness programmes and diets and things that I’m going to do this year, but I haven’t planned anything and I’m not going to.

I lost a lot of money planning spontaneous trips last year and I can’t afford to do that.

Yes, I have dreams and ideas of what I would like to achieve and I will share them in my content if I achieve them, but another New Years’ resolution post full of ideas can easily be written but not so easily achieved.

If anyone would like to share their stories and guest post on this blog please email admin@looneychickblog.co.uk and don’t forget to comment and post on our social media channels.

Happy New Year and let’s hope 2020 will be a positive one!

Universal Credit and ESA need to be more joined up

~ Vickyw

Universal Credit screenshot

Universal Credit and ESA need to be more joined-up, this will save the government money and save mental health sufferers’ stress by making them attend more health assessments.

In September 2018 I applied for Universal Credit because I was told by the Jobcentre that I would have housing benefit paid and that I would be able to get help with my housing.

I was already on ESA and in the support group since 2015 due to mental illness and a physical back injury that left me almost paralyzed due to a police assault.

When my parents sold the family home back in March 2018 I was facing being homeless and with not being well enough to work, I couldn’t rent privately as I needed evidence of my income.

I panicked and applied for Universal Credit under the impression I would also be receiving housing benefit. I still continue to receive ESA but at a reduced rate due to receiving £170 a month for Universal Credit.

In March, this year I had to fill out another Health Assessment form for ESA and I had to attend an assessment back in the summer.

It was the first one I have been asked to attend in the 4-years I have been receiving the benefit.

when I arrived I had to go to reception and show my ID and my petrol, bridge crossing receipt and my bank account number so I could claim my money back.

I asked my Dad to take me because I didn’t want to go to a strange place on my own.

I live in Cornwall but was asked to attend the appointment in Devon, which also meant I had to cross the Tamar bridge to get to the centre.

We had to wait in a room, with a few people waiting.

We had to wait a while because there was a delay but once in the room, I had a lady assessor who spoke to me about my illness and how it affects me.

I was in the room for around an hour before she asked me to do exercises such as bending down.

I told her this was too painful because of my back pain and she said she would end the assessment as she knew I felt uncomfortable.

Six weeks later, I received a letter from ESA to say that there was no change to my benefit and that I would be staying in the support group which meant I was still unable to work.

If you haven’t received an ESA decision within 8 weeks I would contact them.

Back in October, I received another health assessment form, but this time it was for Universal Credit. I filled in the form accordingly and sent it back on time.

Today, the weekend before Christmas I received another letter asking me to attend the same assessment in the same assessment centre in Devon.

I rang the number and asked why this was and they said that Universal Credit and ESA are different and that they just make the appointments.

If Universal Credit and ESA were more joined-up, they would be able to book appointments that are more spread out.

I can understand once a year but two in one year? Although they are two different benefits I’m claiming these due to the same illnesses.

Fewer appointments would be less costly and stressful for those having to attend them.

Has anyone else had to attend two or more Universal Credit and ESA health assessments in one year?

Coping with your mental health at Christmas

~ Vickyw

mental health support numbers

The holiday period can be difficult for some of us coping with our mental health because we are being told to be happy and go to social gatherings with our friends and families as we are sold the idea of Christmas is a time of happiness and positivity.

This is always the case in reality and it can be difficult coping with your mental health at Christmas due to social events, reminiscing about achievements during the year, or the stress and money worries of buying gifts and beating the festive shopping crowds.

For me, I get stressed about these things as I hate crowds, and this year it’s not been great money-wise. I’ve also lost two grandparents this year and achievement wise I have failed to achieve what I set out and it looks like I’m spending New Year’s Eve alone.

I’ve set myself a list and I still have to brave the shops and buy a few gifts, but I love seeing the faces of my loved ones when I surprise them. I treat people how I would like to be treated so I try my best to buy nice presents.

I’m taking my niece and nephew to see Santa at the garden centre next week. I usually take them on a train trip but I thought I’d do something different this year.

Since my Gran passed away in 2009, 10 years ago Christmas has never been the same for our family. This year coping with my mental health has been really difficult yet again and losing two grandparents this year is making me reminisce more about the family Christmases we used to have. I would love to find some time to visit the graves, but it’s a 4-hour trek.

I never achieved the list I made earlier this year, but I guess there’s always next year, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned this year it’s to stop rushing things. I guess I do this when I’m going on a racing thoughts tandem that leads to me overspending and often upsetting loved ones because they don’t have the money or time to keep up with my plans.

I’m going to find New Years’s Eve hard as for the first time in years I spent New Year’s eve out with a very good mate, however that won’t be happening this year and I will probably be celebrating it alone in my parent house in my room.

If you find yourself struggling during the festive period don’t put any pressure on yourself to be happy and fit in. If you
aren’t that’s ok and you aren’t alone. Most of all be kind to
yourself and never forget nothing is more important than your health.

National Anger Awareness Week

~ Vickyw

Angry lady

December isn’t just the start of the Christmas countdown it’s also National Anger Awareness Week which encourages individuals to recognise the causes and symptoms of anger.

Christmas is one of the most stressful times of the year and this week aims to help schools and people in the workplace aware of counseling services and coping strategies available to stop difficult situations that arise.

This time of the year can put a strain on many families, for example, Where to spend the big day, plans for the festive period, being extra busy at work due to the Christmas break, money worries, and fighting anxiety when the shops are busy.

Mike Fisher, Founder of the British Association of Anger Management (BAAM) aims to bring awareness to the severity of the problem and the need for services to support sufferers and their families.

“National Anger Awareness Week encourages people to think about how anger impacts their lives and find ways to deal with this powerful feeling.

In fact, if channeled correctly anger can be a creative rather than a destructive force,” explains Fisher.

National Anger Awareness Week, now in its nineteenth year highlights the issues and offers ‘tools to cool’. “BAAM constantly monitors the causes of anger and we have noticed an increase in rage caused by unavoidable, everyday incidents such as traffic incidents, queue jumping, social media, and frustrations with modern technology.

We need to find ways to cope and with the media highlighting anger and rage in our leaders and media stars, none of us are immune from experiencing what it feels like to experience this behavior.”

The British Association of Anger Management (BAAM) provides free information on National Anger Awareness Week, nationwide anger management courses, and other resources aimed at supporting individuals, educators, and organisations deal with anger management issues.

Fish oil supplements have no effect on anxiety and depression

~ Vickyw

 

fish oil supplementsA recent study revealed that fish oil supplements have no effect on anxiety and depression.

According to a recent article published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, Omega 3 supplements also known as fish oil supplements are of no benefit to anxiety and depression sufferers.

Increased consumption of omega-3 fats is widely promoted globally because of a common belief that it will protect against, or even reverse, conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Omega-3 is a type of fat. Small amounts are essential for good health and can be found in the food that we eat including nuts and seeds and fatty fish, such as salmon.

These fats are also readily available as over-the-counter supplements and they are widely bought and used.

The research team from the University of East Anglia looked at 31 trials of adults with and without depression or anxiety. More than 41,470 participants were chosen to consume more long-chain omega-3 fats (fish oils), or maintain their usual intake, for at least six months.

They found that fish oil supplements had little or no effect in preventing depression or anxiety symptoms.

Lead author Dr. Lee Hooper, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “Our previous research has shown that long-chain omega-3 supplements, including fish oils, do not protect against conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes or death.

She added: “This large systematic review included information from many thousands of people over long periods. Despite all this information, we don’t see protective effects.

“The most trustworthy studies consistently showed little or no effect of long-chain omega-3 fats on depression or anxiety, and they should not be encouraged as a treatment.”

Dr Katherine Deane, from UEA’s School of Health Sciences, said “Oily fish can be a very nutritious food as part of a balanced diet.

“But we found that there is no demonstrable value in people taking omega-3 oil supplements for the prevention or treatment of depression and anxiety.

“Considering the environmental concerns about industrial fishing and the impact it is having on fish stocks and plastic pollution in the oceans, it seems unhelpful to continue to swallow fish oil tablets that give no benefit.”

The research was funded by the World Health Organisation.

Lacking achievements in 2019!

~ Vickyw

Muay Thai coloured armbands

I’m lacking achievements in 2019 and we are weeks away from ending what has been yet another difficult year.

From a personal perspective, I’ve had to deal with writing off my car, losing two grandparents, another mental health assessment, attending an ESA assessment, and another run-in with the law, which was yet again caused by mixing with the wrong people.

I feel like I’m lacking achievements in 2019 and I’m making a last-minute dash to sort out my blog content, post more regularly on both blogs, and get my yellow Prajead in muay Thai.

This year has been so strange for me because Una Spa was a huge part of my life up until September 2018. I used to go to the gym and swim every day until I moved. I haven’t joined the leisure centre here because the nearest one has bad reviews and at least I could walk to Una.

I started running but due to the return of the typical cornish wind and rain, I have failed to keep up.

In the summer I purchased a yoga DVD and started this but due to lack of space in my new bedroom, I’ve also stopped doing this and I’ve read that Yoga is good for anger and mental health.

Earlier this year, I was full of ideas for achievements in 2019, however, my depression and manic state have been all over the place and I’ve not been feeling motivated.

I’m also feeling the pinch money-wise which is something I’ve never experienced before, so it’s time for me to start achieving again.

I hope to end the year on a high by taking my Muay Thai grading and taking part in Blogmas and posting some videos again. I’ve not been feeling great about my appearance so I stopped making videos.

On a positive note, I have recently been reviewing Amazon items which I will continue to do with fitness and health reviews being posted on this blog, and tech and music items will be reviewed on www.digitalclassic.co.uk

If you have any suggestions on what you would like us to post or review please comment below or on our social media channels or send an email to admin@looneychickblog.co.uk.

World mental health day 2019 what’s changed?

~ Vickyw

World mental health day 2019 logo

Today is world mental health day 2019 where many of us are wearing yellow and posting messages to social media and raising awareness but how much has really changed since last year?

From a personal point of view, nothing has changed apart from the fact this time last year I was misdiagnosed with BPD by a junior Psychiatrist at Bolitho House in Penzance.

At least I was offered a CPN for a few sessions to revisit my CAT therapy, but no treatments since moving to the other end of the county.

I’ve had one session with a psychiatrist who thinks I have Bipolar 2 and not BPD and a letter from them saying I’ve refused help because of this which is lies.

I’ve phoned the mental health team at Trevillis House in Liskeard several times but I’ve heard nothing!

So since the last world mental health day, my treatment is worse.

Prince Harry and Ed Sheeran can put out as many videos as they want but for one day only.

Once a year is not enough, and wearing yellow for one day a year isn’t going to fix the millions of people who suffer from mental health.

Just like cancer and heart charities, more money and resources need to be pulled into mental health and more treatments need to be explored.

As a nation, we appear to be going round in circles year after year with the same old talk and treatments.

NHS England has promised mental health checks and treatment for the partners of pregnant women and new mothers who are themselves suffering from anxiety, depression, or psychosis.

Over the past few years, there has been a lot more media coverage on men suffering from depression.

I’ts estimated that 10% of new fathers experience anxiety or depression during the first six months after the birth of a baby.

Individuals who are ‘seriously unwell’ will be offered a range of interventions such as ‘peer-support, behavioral couples therapy sessions.

Other family and parenting interventions in specialist community perinatal mental health settings or referred to a leading psychological talking therapy programme’.

There has also been a lot of coverage on Children and mental health, especially here in Cornwall where they have recently opened a new Children’s mental health ward.

The Government has also confirmed plans to improve mental health support in schools and colleges.

This will be available from the new mental health support teams in 25 areas, starting with training for teams at seven universities across the UK and trailblazer sites serving 20% – 25% of England by 2023/24.

Each area will have one team providing support to up to 8,000 children and young people in 20 or so schools and colleges.

This will build on existing services, including what is available in the voluntary and education sectors, to support children and young people who have mild to moderate mental health issues and help those with more severe needs to access the right support and care.

Funding for senior mental health leads will come from the Department for Education.

NHS long term plans

The NHS Long Term Plan includes a strategy for supporting children and adults with autism from this month.

They will collect evidence from autistic children and adults, families, carers, and professionals on how to improve services and support, covering how to coordinate services for health, social care, and education; providing an earlier diagnosis; improving the transition to adult services; and increasing understanding of the different forms of autism.

Neurotoxicity: A Cause of Mental Illnesses

~ Vickyw

Showing Neurotoxicity inside a persons brain

Just like in the UK Millions of Americans suffer from neurotoxicity, costing the US health system billions of dollars each year.

In fact, these disorders are the top causes of disability in the country.

These include Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Mold neurotoxicity is probably the stealthiest cause of neuropsychiatric disorders.

This is because such toxicity is not inflicted deliberately and could be acquired within the comfort of your own home.

Sadly, the connection between black mold and mental illness in relation to neurological problems is not often accounted for during diagnosis.

What is Neurotoxicity?
Neurotoxicity is a type of toxicity that affects the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system.

It occurs when a biological entity is exposed to a natural or artificial substance that disrupts its regular activity, causing damage to the nerve tissues.

When these tissues are damaged, the affected organism could experience a variety of symptoms.

These include erratic behaviour, headaches, loss of motor and sensory function, short-term memory loss, and restlessness. Symptoms may be immediate or delayed.

What Causes Neurotoxicity?
Neurotoxicity can be caused by drug therapies, drug abuse, radiation treatment, organ transplant, exposure to heavy metals, and industrial solvents. Molds, surprisingly, can also intoxicate the nervous system.

How Neurotoxicity Occurs in the Brain
Different substances may affect the brain in different ways.

Among these substances, mold toxins are probably the most difficult to avoid.

This is because toxic black molds can reside in concealed spaces. All they need are humidity, moisture, and cellulose.

Toxic black mold may appear harmless but once dried up and disturbed, they can release potent toxins.

These toxins are dispersed in the air, and you could be one of the unfortunate individuals to inhale them.

From there, they could travel to your nervous system and cause the following:

Destruction of the Myelin Sheath
The myelin sheath is a fatty substance that wraps the nerve axons, allowing quick signal transmission and regulating electric charges.

This and the cell membrane of each cell in the body are made of a lipophilic layer.

Therefore, mold toxins (which are also lipophilic) can move throughout the body without inhibition.

Such traits also allow them to cross the blood-brain barrier with ease.

When mold toxins saturate the brain, they dislodge healthy fatty acids (e.g. Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic acid) within the chains of fatty acids.

As a consequence, the fatty acid chains are oxidized, causing lipid degradation.

Since the myelin sheath also consists of lipid, its structure is also destroyed.

This can result in neuropathic pain and loss of sensory and motor functions because the electrical impulses are not transmitted efficiently.

Destruction of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex
When the electrical activity is reduced, the prefrontal cortex is down-regulated.

This region of the brain is responsible for short-term memories and memory processing.

And because it is also the most sensitive region, one of the most common symptoms of mold toxicity is “brain fog”.

Destruction of Norepinephrine Factories
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (a chemical produced by neurons) that plays a significant role in motivation, reward, reinforcement, arousal, and motor control.

Dopamine is converted to norepinephrine by the enzyme “dopamine hydroxylase”.

This is a natural occurrence in the brain, which heightens when norepinephrine levels are low.

The Problem: Mold toxins destroy norepinephrine factories through lipid oxidation.

As a result, more dopamine turns to norepinephrine. This deprives other pathways of their dopamine needs.

Increase in Excitatory Neurotransmitters
Glutamate and PEA are neurotransmitters that can powerfully cause “excitement” in the brain.

Damage to nerve tissues can elevate glutamate and PEA levels in the brain.

This causes an excessive electrical impulse that triggers anxiety and bipolar disorder symptoms.

A Mold Specialist Doctor Can Help You
If conventional treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders are in vain, you are advised to seek a mold specialist doctor.

How Neurotoxicity Causes Mental Illness
Can mold cause mental illness?
This is the question that was answered by Dr. Sponaugle’s research.

He correlated 6,000 mold toxin levels with alterations perceived in neurotransmitter patterns and discovered that mold toxins could potentially damage brain tissues and change neurotransmitter activity.

As mentioned earlier, mold neurotoxicity can damage norepinephrine factories.

When these factories are damaged, the body compensates by converting available dopamine to norepinephrine.

Dopamine is involved in feeling motivation, reward, euphoria, and arousal.

When dopamine is converted to norepinephrine, the brain is robbed of the chemical that should help a person feel appreciated, motivated, and valued. This causes depression.

Neurotoxicity also elevates the levels of excitatory neurotransmitters (e.g. Glutamate and PEA).

When the brain is flooded with these transmitters, it triggers constant excessive alertness.

This causes sleep problems, lack of focus, irritability, and persistent feeling that there is something wrong.

These symptoms are often seen in patients with anxiety, paranoia, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenic tendencies.

Loss of sensory and/motor function and pain can also put a strain on one’s mental health.

This is mainly because of the inability to perform everyday activities.

Mold neurotoxicity symptoms will persist as long as mold toxins are not significantly reduced or eliminated from the body.

Conclusion
Neurotoxicity can be fatal. And even if the affected person is still physically able, they can still be denied of quality life.

Treatment for neurotoxicity involves procedures that reduce or eliminate the toxic substances from the body.

Symptoms may also be addressed at the same time.
Black mold and mental illness have been linked for years now.

So if your mental health is troubled and there are black molds in your house or office, consult a mold specialist doctor immediately.

The Sponaugle Wellness Institute is one of the most trusted centres for mold toxicity treatment in the country.

Diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation are all offered under one roof.

Their state-of-the-art facility is located in a charming part of Florida, only a drive away from the beautiful Clearwater Beach.

Please feel free to comment or visit our social media pages.

This is a guest post submitted by Ann Gapasin

Family bereavement and dealing with life!

~ Vickyw

Perranporth beach

I’ve been up and down the last couple of weeks due to a family bereavement and dealing with life as sadly; my granddad passed away.

I’m not good with change, and I’m still trying to settle in and adjust to being in a new area after undergoing a dramatic life change.

I’m miles away from the spa I once attended daily, HIIT classes which I attended twice a week, the club where I do Muay Thai, and from my mates.

A few weeks ago, I decided to take my mate to The thermal Bath Spa which was random and exciting.

I purchased the tickets before Christmas for both our birthdays as her birthday was just before Christmas and mine were three weeks after.

So we decided to go as her son was away and we both needed to get away.

After the spa week, I felt tired and ill so took a whole week of Muay Thai training but felt extremely low and it’s been hard on my fitness going back.

I’ve also been running for the first time since last summer.

I’m getting used to running in a new area and have started running a few miles and walking a few to try and boost my metabolism.

This week has been extra hard as not only have I returned to Muay Thai, I’m also coming to terms with a family bereavement.

The shock of my grandad’s death has been so weird. Yes, he was 91 and if someone else tells me “It was a good age” I swear I could swing for them!

He wasn’t even very nice most of the time, and he would call people names, but I remember when he was kind and that was back when Gran was alive.

Gran kept him at bay and kept the family together. Sadly, when she passed almost 10-years ago, my Grandad was horrible to most of the family.

I remember when we used to go on trips in his VW Camper Van to Godrevy or Perranporth beach, and he would get ice cream from the Ice Cream van and get his binoculars and look out to sea.

Or we would go for a picnic on Perranporth beach and make cups of tea in the van.

I’ve also been reminiscing about the time he took me to my first ever football match, Reading Vs Windsor-Eton.

He took two of my younger cousins and me to a nearby game.

He once had the opportunity to enter his van into a car competition in Wadebridge.

Still, he didn’t think he would win, so he didn’t bother, but I remember how proud he was to have the opportunity to enter the show and enjoy socialising in the sunshine wearing his VW cap.

RIP Grandad!

“Happiful “the Mental Health magazine review

~ Vickyw
Happiful mental health magazine cover

As someone who suffers from mental health problems, I decided to write a mental health magazine review on Happiful.

Happiful is the first mental health magazine I have ever read, so here are my thoughts on this magazine.

This mental health magazine is the UK’s monthly lifestyle magazine devoted to mental health.

The magazine’s front page looks bright and cheery featuring a picture of the author and mental health ambassador, Bryony Gordan.

The colours also blend in well with a mixture of white, black, and dark pink text, a pastel pink background, and a shade of pastel green.

The magazine comprises 90 compelling pages of content including; celebrity features, real-life stories, relationships, lifestyle, wellbeing,  Happiful Hacks, The uplift and Food and Drink.

My favourite articles in the July print edition include, how to have a network with social anxiety, the interview with Carrie Hope Fletcher and the page on apps that help with anxiety.

I like the variety of content in this magazine and the fact that it has something for everyone regarding their mental health and if they suffer from issues.

The price is a little steep at £4 because some people who have mental health issues cannot work. Therefore £4 for a magazine each month is a lot of money.  

You can sign up for 12 print issues for just £36.

One of the best things about this magazine is that for those of you who can’t afford the magazine’s print version, its available to view online for free.

If you would like to keep up to date with news about Happiful, you can check them out on Facebook or  Twitter and Instagram.

What I buy the magazine?

If I were going on holiday and wanted to purchase a magazine, I would buy this but because I don’t get paid much and I’m always online I would be more likely to read Happiful online.

You can pick up a copy in your local supermarket, order a print copy online or subscribe to our free digital e-mag: subscribe.happiful.com