Your Stories
Flourish is proud to offer a safe space for those with a lived experience of mental ill-health to share their stories.
It can sometimes be distressing to read stories of lived experience. If you feel distressed by any content:
- Stop reading. It’s not a good idea to keep doing something that triggers you.
- Talk to someone about how you feel. This could be a trusted friend or family member.
- If you are in crisis, contact Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days)
Your Stories
That Iron Will Travel
Whilst I was living in Melbourne, in 2000, I was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) after a traumatic event happened.
The OCD started with me checking things around the house. Initially, it took me two hours to leave for work, but during high-stress times, it could take four hours. I was frightened that something would happen that I would put things in the boot of the car such as the iron before I went to work.
Learning My Own Strength
I didn’t realise how bad it had become for a long time. I could still have fun with my friends, even though I constantly worried what they really thought about me; I could still study at University, even though the further I went with it, the more I felt like a fraud; and I still had a great family to come back to, even though I couldn’t meet new people, or socialise, or have a boyfriend.
The Diagnosis
In your diagnosis / You described me as a certain type of personality / A woman not conforming to the norm. / As I read it I thought: / I have seen this before.
I Just Can’t
Disembarking at Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne, with two hours before a connecting flight to Perth. I made the flight from Hobart can I get on the plane to Perth? It will be over three hours. I will not be able to get out. I will not be able to get back. What happens if I lose my mind during the flight?
Ivan’s Story
Hi, my name is Ivan Zwart and like many of us, I have had my battles with my mental health. The good news is that I’m really well now and have learnt a lot from my experiences. I’ll just share a little of my story in the hope that it may be of benefit.
Share your story
Sharing your story of your lived experience of mental ill-health can help others who may be having similar experiences, reduce stigma and give others a greater understanding of living with mental ill-health.
For more information on how to submit your story, follow the link below.