The SANE Blog

I think I should feel fortunate when it comes to hearing voices. While I have the ever-curdling mixture of psychosis in the background of my thoughts, the voices I hear are still my own. 

It is still my own internal dialogue. It's just that most of the time, it's not there to help me.

Obsessive compulsive disorder tells lies which disguise themselves as truths. 

These lies add to the distress that obsessions cause, but once we are able to realise they aren't true, it makes dealing with OCD much easier. 

Here are some of the lies OCD tells:

Functional neurological disorder – formerly called conversion disorder – is more common than multiple sclerosis yet remains a little-known condition in both the medical community and the general population.

Schizoaffective disorder is a psychiatric condition, combining the symptoms of schizophrenia and mood disorders (bipolar or depression). These symptoms – hallucinations, delusions, psychosis and episodes of mania or depression – can occur together or at different times.

Postnatal psychosis (also known as postpartum or puerperal psychosis) is a rare condition affecting around 1 or 2 women in every thousand.

It's a serious illness that requires urgent treatment.

Most people know very little about postnatal psychosis so it can come as a shock. It can often occur suddenly without a history of mental illness.

Understanding postnatal psychosis can better prepare families in the event of an episode.

We mourn the loss of SANE Patron-in-Chief The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, PC, QC who died aged 94 this week.

It's a sad reality that people living with a complex mental health issue will hear inappropriate comments, sometimes at a time when they are struggling.

A glib, flippant or offhand comment – whether born of ignorance, awkwardness, or arrogance – can cut to the bone and leave people questioning their place in the world.

So, what's the worst thing you can say to someone living with a complex mental health issue? 

SANE mourns the passing of Jackie Crowe.

Jackie was a fearless and passionate advocate across so many mental health issues. She was an absolute champion in ensuring that people directly affected by mental ill-health were put in the design seat of programs and services.

The word 'recovery' can mean different things to different people.

Taken literally the Macquarie Dictionary says it's 'to regain a former (and better) state or condition'. But in the world of mental health recovery is more nuanced than this.

So to find out what recovery really means, we asked people living with mental illness what the word meant to them.

SANE's Spotlight on OCD page collects together our stories, blog posts, information and research about obsessive compulsive disorder.

But the internet is a big place, and there are a lot more terrific, useful resources out there. Here are ten, hand picked by our staff.