Wednesday, 9 September 2015
Wednesday, 17 June 2015
Im back up and running!!
Hello folks , I'm happy to say I'm back up and running after a period of quiet reflection! I feel so sorry that I haven't been there for you, but for those of you that don't know me, I will be repeating my previous blogs over the next coming weeks in the hope that I can reach out to you and raise awareness of mood disorders.
Many of you will know me from the publication of my book 'I blame the hormones' and be familiar with me, but for those of you who haven't read it, please do so and give me your feedback. I'm always anxious to hear from any sufferers, particularly those that have suffered from Postnatal Depression, Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder and any reproductive depression. I'm also in contact with two leading professors and am passing on any relevant findings, confidentially of course. I'm also on the board of directors at National association of PMDD and panel member of Action on Menstrual Psychosis which brings me to my next point.
Professor Ian Brockington who is one of the most interesting and kind individuals I have ever had the privilege to meet, has set up this panel in the hope of gaining extra insight and even extra funding . He has just come out of retirement, after years of helping poorly women and was the first doctor to set up mother and baby units in the UK. He has helped thousands of women and their babies and is passionate about researching the causes of reproductive mood disorders. I'm so grateful for his input in my life, his knowledge and compassion is humbling, and the newsletter he send me is extremely informative. If you are interested in his work you can find him easily enough on google where he has posted his latest papers and findings. He is also interested in case studies if you are willing to provide one.
I'm so thankful to be able to help this cause, to raise awareness and to help any sufferers I can. Please drop me a line, tell me your stories and share this page. It helps reach out to others, and could even save a life which is something that is very important to me
Blessings as always, Suzi, AKA Caroline Church.
Many of you will know me from the publication of my book 'I blame the hormones' and be familiar with me, but for those of you who haven't read it, please do so and give me your feedback. I'm always anxious to hear from any sufferers, particularly those that have suffered from Postnatal Depression, Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder and any reproductive depression. I'm also in contact with two leading professors and am passing on any relevant findings, confidentially of course. I'm also on the board of directors at National association of PMDD and panel member of Action on Menstrual Psychosis which brings me to my next point.
Professor Ian Brockington who is one of the most interesting and kind individuals I have ever had the privilege to meet, has set up this panel in the hope of gaining extra insight and even extra funding . He has just come out of retirement, after years of helping poorly women and was the first doctor to set up mother and baby units in the UK. He has helped thousands of women and their babies and is passionate about researching the causes of reproductive mood disorders. I'm so grateful for his input in my life, his knowledge and compassion is humbling, and the newsletter he send me is extremely informative. If you are interested in his work you can find him easily enough on google where he has posted his latest papers and findings. He is also interested in case studies if you are willing to provide one.
I'm so thankful to be able to help this cause, to raise awareness and to help any sufferers I can. Please drop me a line, tell me your stories and share this page. It helps reach out to others, and could even save a life which is something that is very important to me
Blessings as always, Suzi, AKA Caroline Church.
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
How to download my book in digital format.
I've absolutely lost count of the number of times people have asked me how to download my book and in actual fact, being a complete technophobe, I wasn't even sure myself! I BLAME THE HORMONES as everybody now knows, has been written with the sole intention of raising awareness of a crippling and often misunderstood condition suffered by thousands of women worldwide.
As far as I'm aware, it is the first memoir of its kind, although as the condition called PMDD or Reproductive depression increases, and more sufferers discover their own illness, I daresay there will be more of these type of books published, and quite rightly so. The more books that are being sold, the more healthcare workers will begin to understand how awfully mean our female hormones can be!!
When you go to Amazon to download the book, you will notice that it is written under the pseudonym of Caroline Church. You will also see that there is the option to buy the book without a Kindle. You can then download the App onto your smartphone, PC or even an E-reader and then purchase the book in digital format. The good news is it only costs a single pound and is fairly quick to read (between an hour or two) which is perfect for the busy women, or indeed any man who wishes to know why their wives or girlfriends are struggling every month.
Once you have read the book, I would also be so grateful if you could write a review. The more reviews Amazon have, the more people can be reached. Perhaps after reading it, you can think of that one person, friend or relative who you also know is suffering with depression or any other mood disorder. It maybe that they have not yet realized the correlation between their own reproductive cycle, and their emotional issues, which can also lead to physical ill health too.
Please leave me a comment or message me if you have problems downloading this book and I will help all I can. God Bless. Suzi x
As far as I'm aware, it is the first memoir of its kind, although as the condition called PMDD or Reproductive depression increases, and more sufferers discover their own illness, I daresay there will be more of these type of books published, and quite rightly so. The more books that are being sold, the more healthcare workers will begin to understand how awfully mean our female hormones can be!!
When you go to Amazon to download the book, you will notice that it is written under the pseudonym of Caroline Church. You will also see that there is the option to buy the book without a Kindle. You can then download the App onto your smartphone, PC or even an E-reader and then purchase the book in digital format. The good news is it only costs a single pound and is fairly quick to read (between an hour or two) which is perfect for the busy women, or indeed any man who wishes to know why their wives or girlfriends are struggling every month.
Once you have read the book, I would also be so grateful if you could write a review. The more reviews Amazon have, the more people can be reached. Perhaps after reading it, you can think of that one person, friend or relative who you also know is suffering with depression or any other mood disorder. It maybe that they have not yet realized the correlation between their own reproductive cycle, and their emotional issues, which can also lead to physical ill health too.
Please leave me a comment or message me if you have problems downloading this book and I will help all I can. God Bless. Suzi x
Tuesday, 24 February 2015
Can anyone help with my lowered immunity?
When people think about a depressive disorder, whether it be hormonally related or otherwise, they tend to think of the emotional aspects and not much else. However, anyone suffering will indeed have days where they feel very unwell as a result of their depression, and will often have multiple ailments too. This is often going hand in hand with the emotional disturbances and the whole system can become depressed, and even immune suppressed as the body suffers from the 'fight or flight' overload and adrenal exhaustion.
For years and years I have had multiple illnesses, allergies, sensitivities and an almost complete absence of immunity which has culminated in me picking up every circulating virus and bacteria. When you have children and a husband to look after its so frustrating and even harder to bear when people often make comments about you 'always being ill'. Sometimes I am ill so often I'm almost embarrassed to tell people, which does little for my self esteem and can even leave me feeling even more despondent as I despair of my own condition. Despite my emotional recovery, I still have this ability to be ill for most of the winter every year, and I can tell you its extremely difficult when you try every available remedy, holistic or otherwise in the hope that you can finally be well.
Since November I have had an almost continuous succession of illnesses and despite my reluctance to use antibiotics, I had a severe bout of flu and then the more horrendous tonsillitis which left me completely unable to cope. This is all despite taking a cupboard full of supplements, maintaining an exercise routine and being a regular juicer! I also practise mindfulness and deep prayer in the hope of a complete recovery! I have searched high and low, read every available text and spend at least £100 at Holland and Barrett a month, in the hope that there will be an end to my collapsed immunity which came after years of suffering from a hormonal illness. It really is a never ending nightmare and I feel so sorry for my family who have to cope with it too as I am often bed ridden.
However, there is one thing which I haven't tried, and as we approached lent I thought I would give it try, and that is to give up wheat or anything containing gluten in the hope that my body will strengthen. I will also give up dairy if I see no improvement as this winter has been so disheartening,and almost well, depressing. I also am concerned that the amount of illnesses that I get could result in a mutation of cells, or even worse, a relapse in my mental state and a return of my disorder. Both of these notions fill me with horror, particularly when I am trying so hard to maintain my equilibrium and spending a fortune on my health.
It reading this blog, you feel that there is anything else I could try which will boost my immunity, please let me know and I would be so happy to hear from you. It maybe that you too have had this issue and have found something helpful that I haven't yet tried.
Peace and love,
Suzi x
For years and years I have had multiple illnesses, allergies, sensitivities and an almost complete absence of immunity which has culminated in me picking up every circulating virus and bacteria. When you have children and a husband to look after its so frustrating and even harder to bear when people often make comments about you 'always being ill'. Sometimes I am ill so often I'm almost embarrassed to tell people, which does little for my self esteem and can even leave me feeling even more despondent as I despair of my own condition. Despite my emotional recovery, I still have this ability to be ill for most of the winter every year, and I can tell you its extremely difficult when you try every available remedy, holistic or otherwise in the hope that you can finally be well.
Since November I have had an almost continuous succession of illnesses and despite my reluctance to use antibiotics, I had a severe bout of flu and then the more horrendous tonsillitis which left me completely unable to cope. This is all despite taking a cupboard full of supplements, maintaining an exercise routine and being a regular juicer! I also practise mindfulness and deep prayer in the hope of a complete recovery! I have searched high and low, read every available text and spend at least £100 at Holland and Barrett a month, in the hope that there will be an end to my collapsed immunity which came after years of suffering from a hormonal illness. It really is a never ending nightmare and I feel so sorry for my family who have to cope with it too as I am often bed ridden.
However, there is one thing which I haven't tried, and as we approached lent I thought I would give it try, and that is to give up wheat or anything containing gluten in the hope that my body will strengthen. I will also give up dairy if I see no improvement as this winter has been so disheartening,and almost well, depressing. I also am concerned that the amount of illnesses that I get could result in a mutation of cells, or even worse, a relapse in my mental state and a return of my disorder. Both of these notions fill me with horror, particularly when I am trying so hard to maintain my equilibrium and spending a fortune on my health.
It reading this blog, you feel that there is anything else I could try which will boost my immunity, please let me know and I would be so happy to hear from you. It maybe that you too have had this issue and have found something helpful that I haven't yet tried.
Peace and love,
Suzi x
Sunday, 1 February 2015
Did you have problems after childbirth and can you help with reserach?
Although I have written a similar blog to this, the subject is so important that I feel the need to ask again for further help with research. At present there is an ongoing research programme being conducted at Birmingham University which has huge implications for women suffering from emotional disturbances after childbirth. This will help scientists understand more about the factors that make some women poorly, and will lead to better prediction and treatments for anyone who has had mood disorders. Clearly with the recent dramatic rise in sufferers, it is vital that we improve our understanding and in particular prepare the next generation being that is often hereditary.
The BDRN or Bipolar disorder and Postpartum Research is conducting the largest study so far and 6000 individuals have already taken part in these studies. However more help is needed and as we already know that mood disorders have a genetic trait, blood samples are still needed in order to find a cure. I am one of the 6000 women who has already taken part and it couldn't have been more interesting. One of the researchers travelled for several hours to visit and interviewed me with regards to my own illness. She then took a blood sample which was analysed, along with thousands of others in the hope that it will shed some light on the evil that is Postnatal illness. I am delighted to be part of this cutting edge research which delves deep into the DNA and tries to isolate that gene or genes responsible. It had the added bonus of helping me understand the illness, and that it was something in my genetic make up and not of my own making. In other words, it freed me of the guilt so many of us sufferers have with regard to our own situations. It was unavoidable, and I was always going to be ill, just as some people have heart disease or cancers in their own genetic makeup.
If you want to take part in this critical and often life saving research you can contact the research team directly. The leading lady is DR Katherine Gordon Smith and she can be contacted on 0212 301 2361 or at moodresearch@contacts.bham.ac.uk She is particularly interested in women who have had a period of 'elevated mood' or mania as is sometimes called. However I'm sure she would only be too happy to hear from anyone who is willing to help with this valuable study.
Blessings as usual. Suzi AKA Caroline Church x
The BDRN or Bipolar disorder and Postpartum Research is conducting the largest study so far and 6000 individuals have already taken part in these studies. However more help is needed and as we already know that mood disorders have a genetic trait, blood samples are still needed in order to find a cure. I am one of the 6000 women who has already taken part and it couldn't have been more interesting. One of the researchers travelled for several hours to visit and interviewed me with regards to my own illness. She then took a blood sample which was analysed, along with thousands of others in the hope that it will shed some light on the evil that is Postnatal illness. I am delighted to be part of this cutting edge research which delves deep into the DNA and tries to isolate that gene or genes responsible. It had the added bonus of helping me understand the illness, and that it was something in my genetic make up and not of my own making. In other words, it freed me of the guilt so many of us sufferers have with regard to our own situations. It was unavoidable, and I was always going to be ill, just as some people have heart disease or cancers in their own genetic makeup.
If you want to take part in this critical and often life saving research you can contact the research team directly. The leading lady is DR Katherine Gordon Smith and she can be contacted on 0212 301 2361 or at moodresearch@contacts.bham.ac.uk She is particularly interested in women who have had a period of 'elevated mood' or mania as is sometimes called. However I'm sure she would only be too happy to hear from anyone who is willing to help with this valuable study.
Blessings as usual. Suzi AKA Caroline Church x
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