Safina's story

“At first I thought that I couldn’t spare the time, two hours a week, but the course was a revelation – it showed me there was light at the end of the tunnel and completely turned my life around.”

Safina
Halifax

Safina has a full and busy life working as a driving instructor, looking after her children and caring for her husband who lives with bipolar disorder. But just a few short years ago, prior to taking part in an Expert Patients Programme course, she was on anti-depressants struggling to cope with the effects of her husband’s condition.

She said, “About five years after we got married my husband became mentally unwell – but we didn’t pick up any of the signs to begin with. But things became worse very quickly until he was sectioned and then diagnosed. It was devastating for the whole family, I knew about depression but I had no idea about severe mental conditions.

“His symptoms included very low moods, no motivation, restlessness, manic energy bursts, insomnia and a changing personality. He started to hear voices, he got very paranoid and his moods would swing very quickly.

“He stopped sleeping and just before he was sectioned he went without sleep for about five days. It was a very difficult time as I was also looking after a four year old and a six month old baby.

“It was made more difficult because of the attitude of many within the Asian community, there was a real stigma attached to mental illness and little understanding of the cause. I was told it was black magic, that he was possessed or the house we lived in was possessed – rather than the fact he may have mental health issues.

“I went to hell and back and ended up taking anti-depressants. I couldn’t go into the house because of what I was being told.

“They wanted to find a quick and easy solution to what was happening, but when he was admitted to hospital (Cheadle Royal) they diagnosed him first as being schizophrenic and then settled on bipolar disorder.

“He was given medication and is now much improved - though he can’t work, still has low moods and mood swings and very rarely leaves the house.

“After his diagnoses my case support worker recommended I attend one of the Expert Patients Programme courses for carers called Looking After Me – it’s aimed at helping carers take control of their situation and make time for themselves and their own wellbeing.

“At first I thought that I couldn’t spare the time, two hours a week, but the course was a revelation – it showed me there was light at the end of the tunnel and completely turned my life around.

“It emphasised the importance of planning, positive thought, relaxation techniques and it made my life and my family’s life better and because of what I have learned about mental health issues and care I am looking at training to become a social worker – all because of the Expert Patients Programme.”

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