Hello everybody!

My name is Sabine. I have had PP in 2010. I will be coming out and share my story through art in 2016.

I guess, I just want to say hello and wish you all health and happiness!!!

[JaneHW Volunteer]

Hi Sabine! Could you let us know a bit about your work? Will there be an exhibition? I know that many of the ladies on here would love to support you in any way we can... X

[Hidden]

Dear Jane,

thank you for your message. I have to get used to this page first...and yes, I will let everybody know that I am going to have an exhibition in February. It is all very overwhelming and so lovely to know that I do not have to be lonely deep down anymore. Thank you for your encouragement...Sabine

[Mungomia]

Hello Sabine

Welcome to the forum, would love to know more about how your art has helped you in your recovery.

Some of us went to an Art Workshop earlier this year and it was an amazingly healing experience.

X

[Hidden in reply to Mungomia]

Dear Mungomia,

I enjoyed reading about the art work shop and watched the you tube video. I have had tears in my eyes, but simultaneously a smile on my face.

Only this year have I started to come a bit more out of my shell, but usually "talk to my paints" at night...Thank you for your encouragement!

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Jasa

What a gift you have with your artwork; very calming colours.

It would be lovely if you have time to share more of your story and recovery, though I appreciate you have to feel comfortable being here first.

Thank you so much for using your beautiful artwork to raise awareness of PP. Looking forward to more details of your exhibition .......

Take good care.

[Hidden in reply to Lilybeth]

Thank you...all in stepping stones...scaffolding and continuously learning...I guess learning to trust and having the strengths to inform and reduce the stigma ...You, too...stay safe

[Hidden]

Thank you Lilybeth...your rainbow picture is very significant for the path of recovery. So many unique cases...on this page...Kind wishes, Sabine

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Sabine

Thank you so much for your comment. I do feel lifted when I see a rainbow ....... a truly life-affirming experience which I'm sure your exhibition will be.

Hopefully you won't feel so alone now as we are all here to support each other. Until I had the good fortune to find APP some years ago I felt alone too but now have many 'virtual' friends here who really do understand. We are a unique, courageous, band of mothers and you are very welcome here.

Take good care of yourself.

[Vee82]

Hi Sabine, lovely to hear from you and really looking forward to hearing more about your journey of recovery through art. Sound amazing. All the very best to you. Vee xx

[Hidden in reply to Vee82]

Thank you Vee...and thank you for your kind words...focusing on preparing for the exhibition, although quite difficult now...it is quality time with my big and little man...Take care x

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Jasa

I think you're right about the stepping stones to recovery and in a way surrounding ourselves with scaffolding to support us on our journey ....... learning to trust professionals when I was very ill was difficult .... but I did learn eventually and fully recovered.

There is no one here to judge or offend .... all the posts are anonymous and confidential so it's a very safe place to unburden ourselves with whatever challenges we are facing on any day. I don't talk openly about my two PP episodes ..... as you say there's still a stigma .... but it has improved since my experiences when I was not allowed to discuss what happened to me with my family or friends. I didn't realise I had PP until my sons were in their late teens ...... so you can imagine my relief, having contact with the APP team, after carrying all that shame for so long.

Wishing you a happy holiday ..... full of rainbows and quality time with your family ..... and looking forward to hearing from you when you feel the time is right and you're comfortable here.

Take good care of yourself.

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Hi Sabine

It's so wonderful you've managed to express yourself through art. As someone else mentioned I also attended the APP art weekend a few months ago which was really amazing. Since then as well I've been trying to do a bit of collage, and also keeping a sort of sporadic 'art journal' though 'art' would be pushing it, lol. Anyway I find it really therapeutic which is the most important I think!

I thought you might be interested to see some of the art work from the APP weekend which is shown in a youtube video here: youtube.com/watch?v=JC8DLOP...(Not working as expected?)

Good luck with your exhibition, X

[Hidden in reply to Ellie_at_APP]

I never commented, Ellie. yes, I have had a look at you tube, but did not mind having another look-such beautiful expressive thoughts through art and the messages are so clear, straight to the point, reflecting often my thought process. Art is like meditation, di-associating with a purpose, a focus, something which makes me happy. Absorbing positive energy in order to gain strengths! Merry Christmas.

[Hannah_at_APP Administrator]

Hi Sabine and welcome to the forum!

I look forward to seeing more of your art and sharing experiences here, it's a great resource for us all and to feel less alone and isolated, knowing there are other ladies out there - that has been wonderful for me. I had PP in 2009 and am really not artistic at all in many ways, although I do enjoy looking at it, so hope to see more soon!

Take care, xx

[Hidden]

Thank you for your reply! I Knew the statistics about PP & obviously the access to some theoretical information. I wish I'd known about APP then! In my opinion there is a big difference between compassion and empathy. I suppose APP signifies a specific culture. Establishing a sense of belonging by sharing the same illness, but such diverse experiences. I wonder whether levels of psychosis can be identified like the grading of bipolar and whether nfluential factors can affect recovery? When is recovery complete?

Yep, I am not on my own....merry Christmas!

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello jasa

Merry Christmas to you too ...... it's good that art makes you happy, it's a great way to express yourself. The women at the APP workshop certainly did that and hopefully you will be able to share more of your artwork in the New Year.

I suppose there is a sense of belonging, as you say, because we all understand the ups and downs of this traumatic illness.

Take care.

[Hidden in reply to Lilybeth]

Dear Lilybeth, thank you for replying throughout the festive Season...giving kindness to people especially through volunteering shows your inner strengths... I have done some volunteering in support groups to "users" with mental health issues (NHS terminology), but realised that I had to prioritise. Life choices are very different when you struggle. I am trying to follow the principles of Buddhist philosophies and beside mindfulness of breathing you could do the type of meditation which is called love and kindness... (meta bavna ). This type of meditation is so much harder as you have to give out positive energy to yourself, a friend, an "enemy" (somebody you find difficult) and wider community...you have to make sure though you look after yourself in order to have the energy to spread your love to others...

Yes, I do speak through my art...a different way of communication...

Merry Christmas, Sabine

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Sabine

Thank you so much for your kind words. I think all PP mums who have been through the mill with PP have an inner strength that we need to draw on to survive. I agree that we have to prioritise our own self care as sometimes if we stretch ourselves too far we become exhausted don't we?

As you say, life choices are very different when we struggle. Every decision has a consequence although in the depths of my PP I was unable to decide anything for myself. Struggling with PP is a game changer we never imagined we would have to fight and that's where we find our inner strength. Just looking at your artwork here is very therapeutic and calming; a good source of expression without words.

We are all so fortunate to have recovered ..... to wrap ourselves in the comfort blanket of home and family. I think we are all more than happy to help other mums on their journey and so grateful that you have found time to support APP in such a creative way.

I hope you have had a very happy Christmas day.