Eastenders storyline

[betty2014]

What do people think about the story line of Stacey banning? Can u see tail tail signs that are linked to your own experiences?

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello betty2014

Welcome back to the forum and thanks for posting. There is so much going on in Eastennders at the moment isn't there? Sometimes Stacey's scenes are just flashes but I think her crisis is building. Can you relate to any of her behaviours during your PP?

As you might have read on this forum I had PP twice in the mid 70's and early 80's. I can relate to Stacey's stress, wanting to protect her child and it seems as though no one is listening to her. I had delusions but not religious as Stacey's seem to be.

I think it's very good that PP is being highlighted in this way. I hope we will not find future episodes too upsetting. I find reading the t.v. episode guide gives me an idea of Stacey's turmoil and the option to tune in or miss.

Take care watching .........

[betty2014 in reply to Lilybeth]

Hi,

Looking back I can see similar behaviours, like too much to think about and being very hyper.

I had 7 days in hospital with my son back in Nov 13 so I think pp had already taken hold by then. I do remember thinking that I was the only one who could protect my son and I thought something bad was going to help. I don't remember too much about any spiritual thoughts.

It does seem quite a slow build up to Stacey's pp tho. I really hope that it doesn't do more hurt to the pp/ metal health stigma.

I will take care watching it

[Strawberry55]

I think Lacey turner is a brilliant actress and was pleased she was selected to help raise awareness .

It's been interesting to watch, however am not sure what future scenes may bring emotionally.

I am finding it annoying that they have chosen to sort of link it with Cat's storey line of the kidnapped baby which is fuelling Stacey's concern. I can also see her dipping in and out of what I feel is her PP state.

However I will say it again, I am pleased that awareness could be raised from this.

[betty2014 in reply to Strawberry55]

I too am glad of the awareness, like I said to lilybeth, I just hope it's not going to do harm. I know it has to be dramatic as its a soap but I hope it's not too over the top and makes people judge those who have had pp

[grannyp in reply to Strawberry55]

I agree, they seem to be linking it to all the drama that is going on and the public might be thinking that this is causing her to act like she is. As we all know this is not the case.Also giving the impression that only people with Bipolar can be effective which is also not the case. I know they can't cover everything but i do hope they get it right . Take care everyone x

[Kat_at_APP Volunteer]

For me, it's pretty realistic. - the growing paranoia, the linking with events going on around her (e.g. The upsetting bereavement), and the moments of lucidity. The next episode is going to be harrowing, so watch with care! X

[Strawberry55]

I also agree about the judgement factor betty2014

[Beabea]

I feel very triggered by the Eastenders storyline. My PPP was different..... I cannot say for the undue guilt I still feel. I am struggling TBH. I went through PPP with only family. NO one knew what was going on in my mind, no one knew just how bad it was. Of course I didn't tell anyone.....I was ill. They put me on anti depressants which made me high as a kite (which was my saviour TBH) but not much later I was diagnosed with bipolar.

I took YEARS to believe everything was going to be ok. My D is now 12 and thank god, she is great, we are great.......but I sometimes struggle with memories of those early days. The mind is a terrible thing.

I wish I had never watched Eastenders.

[Ellie_at_APP Partner in reply to Beabea]

Hi Beabea

I'm so sorry that you found EastEnders difficult, and that it has brought up painful memories... I have to say I haven't seen it (yet) and not sure I will, I want to protect myself. I know what you mean about memories just coming to the surface, only yesterday I suddenly remembered some memories of delusions I had when I was psychotic that I hadn't 'remembered' before, and they shook me a bit.

I do hope that you find this forum helpful, we are all here for each other, and do 'talk' here whenever you need to. Maybe try and do some things you enjoy, where you can 'switch off', happy distraction, nice romcom if that's you're thing ?

Take care X

[Beabea in reply to Ellie_at_APP]

Thank you so much for replying. I am shocked by how much this has rocked me....but tomorrow is a different day.

The thing about PPP is people are happy (obviously) for it to be over but the mother has it in her head for always.

[Ellie_at_APP Partner in reply to Beabea]

Hi beabea, Sorry that I didn't reply when you wrote a couple of weeks ago. How are you doing now? I hope you are OK and that you're able to avoid EastEnders? We need to look after ourselves.

Have you thought about counselling to process a bit everything that happened?

I hope you are OK

[Naters in reply to Beabea]

Hi Beabea, i also had ppp when my son was born dec 2014. I eventually got the help i needed when i was admitted to hospital with my baby in jan last year. I too had terrible thoughts that plagued me. I dont really like talking about them also. I had a history with anxiety and depression before i had my child and was on antidepressant when i found out i was pregnant. During the pregnancy i was down to a really low dose and felt ok right through preg. I ended up in a mother and baby unit in livingston in scotland for few months and was dicharged for few weeks and i wasnt coping and was readmitted for another few months. Last year was not a good one for me. The symtoms i had was very bad anxiety with scary thoughts and the hospital said i had deluded thoughts too when in hospital. Im now since about july back at home and back at my work in september although only part time. I suffer couple of weeks of the month terrible feelings of hopelessness and no enjoyment at anything really and when im in the mode as i call it, i feel so unhappy and some of the anxieties come back. I just hope that one day i can feel on an even keel as i have a cracken wee boy that needs me. X x

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Naters]

Hello Naters

I'm sorry you had a bad year last year but it's good that you had the help you needed, being admitted to the MBU for further care.

You have done very well to return to work. I think it's early days for you really to come to terms with such a big traumatic life event. I can remember the feeling of being helpless and hopeless. Do you think you can talk to your GP about this so he could perhaps offer counselling? Just someone to talk to can make all the difference to how you feel. Some GPs have in-house counselling.

You really will feel much better and happier if you can talk openly about your anxieties instead of keeping a lid on it. I know it's difficult to find time when you're at work but you need to look after yourself as well as you look after your son.

We are all here to lean on.

[Naters in reply to Lilybeth]

Thank you. I have started councelling, had a few sessions. I have been open and talked about how i feel. I hope it will help, still early days i suppose. Im also on an antidepressant and was on lithium but off that now and still take a very small dose of olanzapine. Thank you for replying. It really helps to speak to people going through similar thing.

[Lilybeth Volunteer in reply to Naters]

Hello Naters

You are very welcome to any support here. I think you will feel more relaxed talking to the counsellor as time goes on and find it really does help.

It's not easy coping with routine, a job and being on medication so you are doing very well. Take good care of yourself.

We are always here to lean on.

[Ellie_at_APP Partner in reply to Naters]

Hi Naters

Thanks for writing a bit of your story. It sounds like you have done amazing in your recovery having only been ill in Dec 2014. It sounds like you got good support in the mother and baby unit. I was in a MBU too, and also had depression afterwards. It did take me 2 years before I felt really fully well and 'myself' and like you I had good days, and then some bad days. But I promise you, the good days get more and eventually you'll realise you haven't had any bad days for a few months and it will be over and you will be on an even keel.

Amazing you have returned to work, that's a huge achievement.

Do write here whenever you need to, everyone has been through it X

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Beabea

I'm sorry Stacey's story has affected you so much. I think it does need to be highlighted though so that other women, who are perhaps suffering in silence, can reach out for help.

I had PP twice many years ago and 'it' was the family my secret until I had the good fortune, years later, to read in the local press about research and the APP team. It's true to say that the guilt and shame I had carried for years was lifted in an instant when I met Prof Jones and his team who were so understanding.

PP mums have an inner strength to fight against the illness and we do eventually recover to enjoy the unbreakable bond we have with our children. It's true that such a storyline as Stacey's can trigger upsetting memories and we have to be careful to limit how much we watch. The crisis builds next week, especially on Monday according to the t.v. guide, so I'll give that episode a miss ....

As you say, tomorrow is a different day and I hope with a good night's sleep you will be ready to enjoy the weekend.

Take good care of yourself.

[Hannah_at_APP Administrator]

Hi all,

I suppose it's a very individual choice whether to watch Eastenders and unfortunately there is no accounting for some of the idiotic opinions out there. I just hope that it raises some awareness and also the link between bipolar and PP is clear (as I've seen some people saying it's "just" her bipolar) as well as that PP can happen to women with no mental health diagnosis and also no future problems.

I'm sorry to hear that it's been upsetting and triggering for some of the ladies here, but I guess it's the best place to come for any offloading and discussion. We all completely understand and whilst the memories will always be there, I hope that with time these are added to with more happier times with family and friends, which is the place I am now at.

Take care all, xx

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Hi All

I just wanted to check in to see how everyone is feeling with watching EastEnders? I haven't been watching it myself, but this is obviously a great space for us to support each other if we need it, and to reflect on it.

I also wanted to post this blog analysing the response the Stacey storyline has got on EastEnders here: ppsoup.com/2016/01/12/twitt... which I thought might be of interest to read.

X

[Hannah_at_APP Administrator]

Hi Ellie and thanks for the link to the blog, which is a great read too.

I've been watching Eastenders, or at least having it on in the background, and the storyline is being done well I think. As some others have said, there are lots of other things going on with Stacey's family and also other storylines (Phil is still a drunk and Sharon has left him - is that again, or was that his brother?!) So other big issues although it is a little break from the PP thread, if that makes sense...

I too hope others are doing OK with watching and it's not becoming too much. It's given me shivers a couple of times I have to say. And perhaps most tellingly, my husband (who is normally very anti-soaps in general) has said how true to life it is in its portrayal of PP, and certainly how we experienced it as a family. So I hope any Dads and partners are doing OK with watching too. For me, I lost a few weeks as I can't remember the worst of my illness, which is sort of a blessing... but I know my husband was there through it all and remembers all the horror of it all too well, so it's a big thing for him and perhaps others too.

Take care all, xx

[Simon_at_APP APP in reply to Hannah_at_APP]

I've watched a couple of the recent episodes, not that I like to admit it though as I hate soaps and I did find myself just fast forwarding all the other bits...

I suppose you've got to remember that it is a drama, whereas we all watch it knowing the actual reality of pp.

From a dad's perspective I think they captured the emotions of certain areas quite well, however there were other parts that I felt just slipped into drama and missed the true depth but this I guess is hard to portray on a TV soap. That said, they did manage to put in some of the facts and figures.

At the end of the day it does bring the illness of pp to a much larger audience and that has to be good.

[jen5678]

I can see so many similarities between Stacey's experience and my own... the connections she makes between completely unrelated things, off-hand comments from others which take on so much meaning, the furious scribbling in notebooks, I even had the same idea about myself, my partner & our son being the holy trinity - although for me it was a fleeting delusion amongst many others, most of which were far more scary

I don't usually watch Eastenders, but I tuned in to watch after getting the email from APP. I'm actually finding it strangely comforting watching someone go through the same experience I did. I guess it makes me feel like what happens to me was normal, or not exactly normal in the normal sense of the word, but normal for someone with PP at least

[jessieh APP]

Hi Ellie,

I've just recently caught up, and I'm finding myself getting back into Eastenders again (I was a big fan years back!).

It's been interesting to watch so far and I see many similarities between her symptoms and mine - that scene of her scribbling could have been me!! Also it's quite odd as I too had a sling and look a little like the actress so it is like watching me in some ways... I also didn't get ill until about 8-10 days afterwards.

However, I can really see that there could be lots of confusion about it, as there is so much going on and it doesn't show that it can come out of the blue, like it was for me. In the mini interview they have on iplayer they say that it is related to bipolar but don't explain that it isn't always the case, so that's misleading.

But overall, I can't tell you how pleased I am that PP has been given such an incredible platform for awareness raising. I wait with anticipation to see what happens this week.

x

[lucinda123]

Anyone else not have many of the same symptoms as Stacey - all I had was lack of sleep (basically had both families constantly round the house all day everyday and I was trying to express which I could never keep up with demand!) causing me to eventually have a sort of manic episode where I couldn't settle and talked really fast.

[violetx]

I think Lacey Turner is brilliant. A few scenes like the blurring out and seeing the rotweiler made me remember of how fuzzy everything was becoming and how my head was racing. All the talking about different things and cleaning were also some similarities of my own experience.

However i cant help but think that viewers and people who have no idea what post partum phychosis is will now just assume that its to do with Staceys biopoloar and that mental health history. I suppose we all have our own opinions and experiences and no storyline could ever be 'perfect'. But perhaps if they chose a character with no mental health history and make it come out the blue like for so many of us was the case then maybe there would be a better understanding. I still think who plays stacey is brilliant but cant help think this.

Take care x

[jen5678]

Just watched Stacey being sectioned, and aside from bringing back a lot of memories, I was struck by two thoughts:

1. Considering that she has bipolar, shouldn't her mid wife have identified her as high risk for PP, and referred her to perinatal mental health to explain the risks and put a care plan in place? They didn't seem to be aware she was at risk. I really hope that eastenders has got this wrong and that it would have been picked up in real life.

2. She seemed to walk into hospital and see a phychiatrist straight away even though it looked to be late at night. Maybe some hospitals are better than others, or maybe Martin knew where to take her because of previous bipolar episodes, but that was not my experience.

We were kept in a waiting room at A&E for 5 hours before being told there was no psychiatrist on call and we wouldn't be seen until 9:00, at which point my partner took me back home. Just wondered if anyone else had difficulty getting access to a psychriatrist out of hours & what the official advice is in this case?

[Hannah_at_APP Administrator]

Hi Jen5678,

Thanks for your questions and post on this. The storyline is really hard hitting isn't it, and it's good to see (if that makes sense) that people are being affected and starting conversations about it. I really hope more awareness is raised.

To share my experiences and give you some thoughts on the questions you pose: I had PP in 2009 "out of the blue" and had another baby in 2013. Although I have no bipolar diagnosis, I was still at high risk 2nd time round (about 50:50) and the number of health professionals who thought I'd just been unlucky and would be fine without any input was huge, quite scary in fact. I had to push for any MH input at all and if I hadn't, I probably wouldn't have seen anyone. Part of this is down to no specialist perinatal services in my area and I'd love to think that with a bipolar diagnosis, this would have been different. But I'm not sure it would to be honest. With services so pushed and busy, it seems that people do have to reach crisis sometimes before they get help.

As for seeing a psychiatrist straight away in hospital, I don't know about this as I would imagine staffing at different hospitals varies. I'm sorry to hear that your experience was not great and that you had to go home before being seen. I only ever went to hospital as an out-patient for an appointment in the early days (and managed to convince them I was fine, when I really wasn't!) and then was admitted under a section a few days later. I believe that the best advice is to present at A&E but it seems that this doesn't always result in the right support at the right time. I guess with Stacey, for dramatic effect the storyline shows her being seen and also with her being so acutely unwell, I'd hope that "in real life" she'd have also been seen, or at least kept safe.

I suppose watching Eastenders we have to take some of it with a pinch of salt because it is just a TV programme, but when they are doing it so well and realistically, it can feel very real to us. I know it has given me the shivers on more than one occasion.

Take care watching and I hope you are doing OK now, come back and chat whenever you would like to, xx

[MrsJelly]

I really hope that the storyline unfolds to incorporate more explanation of PP and why Stacy was at greater risk in light of her Bipolar.

At the moment it seems like a freak show of the condition portraying the young mum in deep distress without understanding why.

The most relatable part for me was the difficulty Martin has securing a place on an MBU. When I was ill almost 20 years ago places were in very short supply and I was held on a mixed acute ward where staff were uncomfortable about allowing my newborn onto the ward as they feared for her safety. Our GP had to remind the hospital of it's 'contractual obligations' to finally get things moved along.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Mrsjelly

I don't think as a 'soap' there will be time for more explanation of PP and why 'Stacey' was at greater risk due to bipolar.

There has been good coverage of the storyline in the press and on television by some very brave women willing to share their stories for the benefit of others. I don't know if you saw the 'One Show' last night in which Lacey Turner and the Producer of Eastenders were answering questions about the storyline. In this interview Lacey did comment on the link to bipolar and PP, although in my case I didn't have bipolar before my two episodes of PP in the early 70's and mid 80's.

At the time there were no mother and baby units and similar to your experience I was in general mixed acute psychiatric wards, although sectioned. I was not aware of my surroundings for some time so my sons were looked after by my husband and family. After a while I was transferred to other mental health units where I was eventually reunited with my sons. Thankfully we are here to tell the tale ..............

[MrsJelly]

Yes Lilybeth, I suppose it's difficult in as much as a lot of the worst thoughts and feelings are internalised until it gets to a point where other people witness odd or extreme behaviour.

I can only imagine the hell you must have faced in being confined onto acute wards away from your newborn(s). That experience for me was really bizarre with lots of patients of different ages, both men and women, who seemed heavily sedated apart from the odd flare-up when individuals were escorted swiftly back to their rooms. My mania also caused me to be uncharacteristically outspoken and I had to be dragged away myself by a 'minder'. My baby was cared for by my husband and his mum until I was reunited with her in the MBU.

My daughter will be nineteen this week and although she is still busy studying, hopefully for a few more years yet, I am really keen to be up to speed with available support and any future research in the event she is affected by mental health issues in her childbearing years.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello Mrsjelly

I think it was just as well I wasn't aware for a while of my surroundings ........ when I did 'wake up' after PP with my first son it was such a dark and dismal Victorian asylum, with a ward much like you were in, with patients of all ages, men and women. I have read from my notes that I was "loud and argumentative" (not 'me' at all). There was lots of noise, shouting, screaming, weeping and wailing. It's quite sad really that some patients weren't as lucky as we were and never went home.

My first son is forty and a Chartered Accountant and my second son is an Engineer. I like to think they have achieved so much in spite of their 'mad mother'! I did worry about their wives after childbirth but thankfully they were fine. I do have four treasured grandchildren, two are girls. They are very tiny at the moment and like you I hope research and progress will prevent them being affected by mental health issues when they are mums .........

[MrsJelly]

Fantastic to hear that your family has thrived and gifted you with four little sweethearts for you to pour your love into....onwards and upwards ...things should be much better for future generations.

I'm about to watch Mybaby, psychosis and me.....anxiously....hope it's bearable.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Thank you MrsJelly

I watched the BBC programme last night and my illness and treatment followed a similar path to Hannah's. It was quite sad to see the torment of both women but I think it will show other mums currently suffering PP that with good care and interventions a full recovery is possible.

I hope you didn't find it too difficult to watch.

[MrsJelly]

Oh yes thank you, I did. I was close to tears at times, especially at the parts when Hannah was feeling so very helpless.

I felt both Hannah and Jenny were extremely brave to allow filming when their symptoms were at their worst. Not at all sure I would have coped with that.

I liked the fact that the programme showed both extremes of mood and the different challenges both women faced in recovery. I could identify with them both as I was initially very manic, like Jenny, but became depressed as treatment progressed.

It was also noticeable that both women's family had professional experience of mental illness. Hannah's Mum being a MH nurse, and Jenny's husband a GP. However, their insight did not entirely protect them from the shock of witnessing extreme illness in their own loved ones. I felt Hannah's mums pain when she discussed that Hannah had agreed to ECT despite her own misgivings.

Jenny's husband showed his distress too when Jenny was moved out of MBU because her condition deteriorated badly.

Overall, I'm glad I saw the programme. My husband was working away last night and I know he would have refused to watch it so I watched it alone. He is fiercely protective of our sleep routines - can't imagine why!

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello MrsJelly

I'm pleased you were glad that you watched the programme. It must be quite difficult for family to consider watching as they were the ones observing our distress years ago. It's such a shame it is still affecting women today and some were not as fortunate as we were.

Best wishes.

[MrsJelly]

Lilybeth, it's terrifying to think of the risk some sufferers and their babies face because they don't have access to the right care. I'm thinking of the dangers when Mum and Baby are home alone but Mum is preoccupied by intruding thoughts all day - not deliberate harm as such but accidents caused by not being able to give full attention to their baby's care. Accidents around bathing, feeding, or for those of us who were manic, generally running around forgetting that the baby in our care is a tiny, vulnerable human being.

[Lilybeth Volunteer]

Hello MrsJelly

I think the right care, as early as possible, is very important. During my first PP my parents took me to their home. Unfortunately my GP would not visit as I was out of his area and my parents' GP would not visit as I was not his patient. Needless to say I soon spiralled out of control whilst waiting for a Psychiatrist to visit .........

I hope in time there will be more mother and baby units for these brave, vulnerable women. In the meantime, quick referral to community mental health services, a multi-disciplinary team and family support are key to recovery.