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After studying Textiles as a GCSE student, I’ve had a passion for fashion; and as I grew older I became addicted to reading Vogue and Elle for style inspiration and the amazing photography of runway shows that I knew I’d never get to see in real life. Then, in my twenties, I moved onto makeup and beauty products (still with a jam-packed wardrobe!) and developed a keen eye for designer bargains (because there’s no money on the trees in my garden) in T K Maxx – particularly Valentino bags!

As I moved into blogging and the online mental health world in 2009, it became clear that most blogs were about fashion and beauty. It was a good thing at the time because it provided a gap in the market for I’m NOT Disordered to fill and at the time there were only four popular mental health blogs (and none of them were written by a current inpatient).

Like I said, the fashion and beauty bloggers took over the internet and seemed to be the ones who collaborated and were approached by organisations who wanted to use the blog as an advertising opportunity with the belief that when readers saw the blogger wearing a particular shoe, or talking about a new mascara; their followers would want to buy the same thing.

FBMH: Q&A with Katie from 'Knelt'

1. Do you ever blog about personal aspects of your life?

Yes quite often! I love seeing snippets of other bloggers lives, and I love sharing bits of my own life. It breaks up the monotony of review after review and shows the person behind the blog

 
2. What do you gain from doing this?

 

Well, happiness I guess. I’m doing it because I want to, so that can’t be a bad thing!

3. Why did you volunteer to be part of #FBMH?

There still seems to be a lot of stigma around mental health, and anything I can do to help combat that I will do. My partner suffers worse problems than I do and I strive to understand those problems as best I can to support him in the best way possible.

4. How do you feel about mental health stigma?

Frankly? Pissed off - why is it seen as such a negative thing?!

5. Do you actively campaign for better mental health services or to get rid of stigma?

I should do more than I do if I’m honest, but I also face the stigma head on whenever I see it. There was this one time I was on the bus and a passenger moved seats. They had been sitting next to a man who had obvious Tourette's, who then looked extremely embarrassed and upset, so I moved seats to sit next to him. I did it without saying a word, but hopefully the man appreciated the fact that he was being accepted by someone rather than rejected, and hopefully the other passengers got the message that people who suffer illnesses we don't understand often need the acceptance of society the most.

6.Why did you begin blogging?

 

 I began blogging because I really missed writing after I finished my literary based degree. I read lots of blogs already and I just thought, if they can why can’t I?

7. What made you decide to blog about beauty and fashion?

They are just things I really love, and it makes sense to write about things you love to me - how else can yon a bus when a man sat next to a passenger who had obvious Tourettes moved seats, tutting as they did so. The Tourettes sufferer was clearly upset by this, so I moved seats to sit next to him. I never said a word, but by sitting there I made the point that this person was not to be treated so negatively because of what they suffered.

 

8. How did you find writing your piece for #FBMH ?

 

I found it really therapeutic, it was a big help to get it all down on paper!

9. What has been the best moment in your blogging career so far?

Erm, it’s hard to pick out an individual moment to be honest, I enjoy it all so much! I wrote an article for an online magazine that had such positive feedback - whilst it wasn’t my own blog I was super proud of the reception that it got!

 

10. What has been the worst?

 

In some ways, when I started over from scratch it felt like the worst thing ever. I did this because of personal reasons (which are explained on my blog if you’re that interested!), but honestly, that ‘worst’ moment? The best thing I ever did!

11. What advice would you give someone just beginning to blog?

Enjoy it, and stay true to yourself!

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thanks for letting me get involved Aimee!

 

 

FBMH: Q&A with Katie from 'Gold Dust'

 

 

Why did you begin blogging?

 

 I moved across the country and knew nobody. Blogging was a good way to fill in time and meet new people. 

 

What made you decide to blog about beauty and fashion?

I wanted to learn more about skincare and make up!

Do you ever blog about personal aspects of your life?

Yeah, I've tried to make my blog more "lifestyle" recently. 

If yes, what inspires you to do this?

Anything! Sometimes it's something I've baked or a place I've been. Or other times I will blog about how I'm feeling or what's going on in my life.

What do you gain from doing this?

It's nice to have a community that doesn't judge!

Why did you volunteer to be part of #FBMH?

I think it's good to speak out about MH. I've found by doing so it makes me realise I'm not alone!

How do you feel about mental health stigma?

I'd like to think it's getting less and less. However I was embarrassed and anxious about what people would say before I spoke out. People have been really supportive. 

Do you actively campaign for better mental health services or to get rid of stigma?

I actually ran a 10k a few years ago for Mind

If yes, by doing what?

Alongside charities, as well as openly discussing MH.

How did you find writing your piece for #FBMH ?

Really easy!

What has been the best moment in your blogging career so far?

Meeting new people and getting opportunities i never thought I'd get!

What has been the worst?

Sometimes there is bitchiness and negativity on social media. I try to stay clear of that!

What advice would you give someone just beginning to blog?

Be yourself! And enjoy it!

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thanks for letting me take part!

 

FBMH: Q&A with Sally from 'Little Budget'

1. Why did you begin blogging?

I started blogging almost as a birthday present to myself - I'd been wanting to start for ages, but just never got round to it. On my 20th birthday I suddenly decided to go ahead and set it all up!

2. What made you decide to blog about beauty and fashion?

It's something I love talking about - but nearly all of my friends are lads, so they're not at all interested in what I have to say! Blogging is a lovely platform to chat about what you're loving or hating, or can't live without!

3. Do you ever blog about personal aspects of your life?

Yes. I've talked about mental health, a bit about my job as a drama teacher, and some of my experiences at university.

4. If yes, what inspires you to do this?

I think it's important for my readers (still feels surreal saying that!) to know that I'm not just interested in beauty and fashion. I have a life outside of blogging that's literally based around university and my job, which might not be particularly interesting, but at least it's relatable!

5. What do you gain from doing this?

It gives me more dimension, and more to chat about on my blog. I think it adds a nice personal touch - my writing is supposed to be chatty and friendly, so why not feel like you're chatting to a friend?

6. Why did you volunteer to be part of #FBMH?

It's really important to talk about mental health. I suffered for over a year before I dared to even think about going to a doctor, and when I did, I felt embarrassed and upset. We need to get these issues out in the open: nearly everyone will suffer with their mental health at some point in their lives, and we shouldn't be ashamed to discuss it.

7. How do you feel about mental health stigma?

It makes me sad. Mental health shouldn't be something that's joked about, or made to seem insignificant, but equally, it shouldn't be something that's bragged about either. Through my time at college, so many people around me were creating drama based around mental illness - almost like it was a fashion accessory.

8. Do you actively campaign for better mental health services or to get rid of stigma?

I'm looking into a volunteering scheme with my university, going into schools and openly discussing mental health, confidence and self esteem.

9. How did you find writing your piece for #FBMH ?

It made me think a lot. I've been feeling worse lately, so I took a little break from blogging until I felt more cheerful again. I didn't realise how much of an outlet blogging is becoming for me, which is a really good thing.

10. What has been the best moment in your blogging career so far?

I get so excited when I work with brands - it seems so strange to me that they'd be interested in what I have to say! I recently did a very excited happy dance when an online store used my name as a discount code - that was just crazy!

11. What has been the worst?

Honestly, just the days when I get writers block. It' so frustrating wanting to take pretty pictures and write something funny when absolutely nothing comes out!

12. What advice would you give someone just beginning to blog?

Don't try and be someone you're not. If you don't fancy writing about high end products, then don't! Don't be afraid to change things up either - my blog was originally based on fashion, but I discovered I much prefer writing about lifestyle and beauty.

Anything else you'd like to add?
A big thank you to Aimee for letting me be a part of this series!
 

FBMH: Guest Post By Katie from 'Gold Dust'

 

 

Hello there! My name is Katie and I blog over at http://www.golddust-blog.co.uk/. Thank you to Aimee for allowing me to share my story on her lovely blog!

 

I have struggled with low moods and anxiety since my teens. It was generally related to my appearance as I suffered with severe acne and used to try and hide behind a face of make up. My moods used to be so low that I would find excuses not to see my friends outside of school or a reason to stay in my bedroom until I had no choice but to leave.

Over the years up until late in 2013, I thought I had everything pretty much under control. I had gotten so used to feeling a certain way, it was what I accepted as 'normal'. That was until I had my first panic attack in November 2013 and consequently went on to have a few more. Along with clammy hands, a rapid heart beat, irregular heart beats and a dry mouth. I went to the GP and was given an ECG and advised to take some herbal remedies.

Needless to say this didn't help and I went on to have several more panic attacks and several more visits to the doctors. Around May 2014 I broke down in the GP and was desperate for some help. After being diagnosed with depression and anxiety I was given a few days to consider my options but in the end I opted for some medications alongside some counselling.

 

I waited a while for my counselling and in the end booked my own counsellor and paid for my sessions. I had a combination of counselling and CBT which really helped come to terms with my low moods and worries. I would definitely recommend talking therapies along side other treatments.

 

I now just take medication to keep the edge off my moods and it really does help. I know I won't need it forever but for now it's helping me stay above water. I was really embarrassed to talk about it at first, but then I realised the more we talk about mental health, the less stigma there will be. I always thought it was my fault, until I finally accepted that it's a chemical imbalance in my brain, something I could do very little about! 

I hope this has helped some people!

Katie x

 

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Golddust_Katie 

Blog: http://www.golddust-blog.co.uk/

FBMH: Guest Post By Sally from 'Little Budget'

 

 

 

Hi, I’m Sally. I’m a Media Studies student and part-time theatre teacher, and I run littlebudget, a beauty and lifestyle blog. I suffer with depression, anxiety and trichotillomania.

 

If you don’t know what trichotillomania is, firstly, I don’t blame you! It’s a stress-related compulsion – a bit like biting your nails – where people pull out their hair.

I’ve suffered with anxiety and depression since I was about 16 (I’m 20 now), but trichotillomania is a relatively new occurrence in my life, and I’m still learning to deal with it.

 

The biggest challenge I’m facing is keeping my condition under control. I scratch the skin off my scalp and pull out my hair without even realising it, sometimes for hours at a time. This has obviously thinned my hair out massively; and I didn’t have very thick hair to begin with.

Something I didn’t even think about is that my condition means I have to wash my hair nearly every day, as scratching the skin obviously makes my scalp bleed (which is a bit gross).

 

I’ve had to learn to style my hair to cover up the thinning patches on the side of my head – a messy bun on the top of my head is my go-to hairstyle, no matter where I’m headed that day.

 

I think that this condition will go away in time: maybe when I’m not as stressed with university and work. In the meantime, I wear gloves indoors to remind me not to pull my hair, which can look a bit weird when we have guests round!

 

 

Twitter: @little_budget

Blog: https://littlebudget.wordpress.com/

FBMH: Guest Post By Katie from 'Knel'

 

My Unhealthy Relationship With Food

 

I’ve never had a good relationship with food, and that’s something that I’m determined to change in 2015. It’s much better than it used to be but I’ve still got a long way to go – though motivation and determination are half the battle I hope!
I was a fussy eater when I was very small. I know every child is pretty fussy but I refused to ‘learn to like’ things – some things I still won’t eat today as a result. Raisins are a big no no for me because I remember how much I hated them as a little girl. This snowballed into what I would say now was a fear of trying new things. School lunches became hell for me unless it was something I’d tried previously. Before long I was eating just plain pasta if I was hungry, or just a piece of fruit or yoghurt if I wasn’t. I’d always tell my friends that I wasn’t hungry, and before long this façade led to me not even bothering to go to the lunch hall at all and I’d just eat an apple or banana and that would be it until my evening meal when I got home.
It was never a problem with my weight. I was tiny as it was anyway, but I was never on a quest to be smaller. I just didn’t want to eat what was offered in case I didn’t like it. I got much better in my sixth form days as my taste buds matured and I began to like more things – but a big help in this was more adventurous cooking at home and an active attitude to trying new things. I went off to uni with this determination to not have food rule my life, and through group meals with my flatmates I found even more things I liked. My problem at uni became portion control. I, like many others I’m sure, developed a repertoire of usual meals (especially when I was busy) but I’d never bother measuring out portions. I’d eat until I was bursting – probably not the best idea!
Combined with a lifestyle which did include going out and drinking more than your average person, by the end of university I was roughly 3 stone heavier and several dress sizes bigger. I didn’t notice it until all at once, which has given me a not very good relationship with the girl in the mirror. There are some things I absolutely LOVE about my appearance, but others that I hate. I’ve tried fitness and diets before, but have struggled to stick to it because of my lifestyle. I work in two bars, sometimes doing 16 hour days bridging the two. I don’t really have the time to cook things so I end up eating at work (let’s not talk about the money side of this, it makes me want to cry!) – but I work in burger bars! Whilst I am on my feet constantly and running around and being generally active at work, it’s still not the healthiest diet!
I’ve reached a turning point. My partner is very complimentary of my figure, but in myself I’m not comfortable. I don’t feel healthy – I feel bloated and sluggish. I think I’d be able to accept my size if I was healthier. The parts of me I struggle with are more obviously affected by diet – for example the bloating around my stomach. I’m more determined than ever to sort my entire life out (get a proper grown up job, save money etc.) and my lifestyle is a huge part of that. I don’t want my life to be ruled by my diet, but I want to feel healthy.
I’ve accepted that some foods I will never get along with. For me, texture is a huge part of enjoyment of a food – so I know I will never like tomatoes or soup. Their slimy texture have always reminded me of sick to the point I just can’t stomach it. But I am getting there. I’ve found myself craving vegetables and fruit more than anything else recently – even more than cheese, and I luuuurrrvvveee cheese.
My problems have luckily never been as severe as a lot of people suffer when it comes to my relationship with both food and my own body, but it has affected my life constantly since I was around 13 or 14. That’s almost 10 years, almost half of my life – it’s time for me to turn the tables and finally be in control.

Dear 14 year old me – your relationship with food can and will get better. It will take time. It will be hard. But one day, you will finally like carrots!

 

Twitter: @kneltweets
Blog: http://knelblogs.blogspot.co.uk/