Chapter 5: Mental Illness

Vanessa and Este will be back for Season 2 of Unhappy, Not Ill!We believe that people need to share to dare. Dare to do one thing differently that they might not have thought of during their struggles. That is why we also want to encourage others to share their tips that have worked/are working, during their mental illness journey. If you are coping with mental illness at the moment, have survived an epic mental illness episode and would like to share your journey to help others - then we would love to hear from you. To get in touch please follow us on instagram at @unhappynotillShare your story in Season 2 of Unhappy, Not IllProduced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

How has Unhappy, Not Ill affected Vanessa and Este? In this episode, Vanessa and Este reflect on the podcast and share their thoughts on the experience. Has the process resulted in new thoughts, ideas, and opinions on the events which occured throughout Vanessa's life? They also answer questions from the listeners and tease an exciting new chapter for the podcast. To get in touch please follow us on instagram at @unhappynotillShare your story in Season 2 of Unhappy, Not IllProduced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

What is my freedom? How can you find your freedom? After recovering from the physical effects caused by her mental health, Vanessa left her corporate role and embarked on a period of self-discovery - questioning societal norms and expectations. In this episode, Vanessa shares the conscious choices she made to explore new places, new ideas, and new tribes, which ultimately led to her finding her freedom. Action: Find time for me time, which stands for:MeditateEnergiseThink Inspire MoveEducateTo get in touch please follow us on instagram at @unhappynotillProduced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

If you don't listen to your body, your body will stop you eventually. After years of dismissing the mental signs, Vanessa's body hit her hard with the physical signs. In this episode, Vanessa takes us through the physical effects her body ensured from the result of her mental health.  Action: Trust your body, and your body will trust you back. Read the signs of your body, and take action - don't ignore them.To get in touch please follow us on instagram at @unhappynotillProduced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

You'll never find anyone to love you, until you love yourself. Vanessa didn't love herself and she had come to terms with that. Then along came Este. In this episode, Vanessa talks about finding true love, even after she'd given up on it.  Action: Find someone that has your back, both if you suffer with a mental illness, or if you're supporting someone with a mental illness. Create a support network to help when times are tough. To get in touch please follow us on instagram at @unhappynotillProduced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

After pushing through the worst stages in her life, Vanessa found her way. But how did she do it? In this episode, Vanessa talks about coming out of the coma of depression, and the important steps she took to move forward. Vanessa's way won't be the same as your way, but hopefully it will inspire you to find yours. Action: If you find yourself doing the same thing, and falling into the same situations. Stop it, and change it. If it doesn't work, change it again. To get in touch please follow us on instagram at @unhappynotillProduced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

It's hard not to feel alone when you're depressed. Relationships play an important role in maintaining our mental health, but not all relationships are good for us. In this episode Vanessa talks about the different relationships she's had in her life, and how they supported her, or affected her.Action: Ask yourself "what do I need right now?" and form a strong routine. To get in touch please follow us on instagram at @unhappynotillProduced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

Being unhappy is not situational, it runs much deeper. Vanessa was first prescribed "happy pills" in her late teens, and continued to take medication for her depression until the age of 46. In this episode Vanessa talks through the different medication and treatments she's had for her depression and the effect it had on her. If you don't feel, you won't deal. If you don't deal, you won't heal. To get in touch please follow us on instagram at @unhappynotillDisclaimer: This is not medical advice. Consult you doctor for any advice regarding medication or treatments for depression.Produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

In this emotionally heavy episode, Vanessa talks us through her experience of mental illness, her multiple diagnoses, hospitalisation and treatment. Vanessa also talks about her early signs of depression, and the difference between a mental health issue and mental illness.Action: What signs does your body give you, and what in your environment is causing them?To get in touch please follow us on instagram at @unhappynotillProduced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

After finishing University, Vanessa starts her career in Law, the career she's always wanted. But is it all she expected it to be? How does she cope as the pressure of work begins to pile up and depression sets in?Action: What you are using to avoid and hide elements of your life from yourself?To get in touch please follow us on instagram at @unhappynotillProduced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.