Trapped Minds - A Safe Space for Healing

TM Articles · Jun 20, 2025

When you’re struggling with your mental health, finding help should be simple — but for many people in the UK, the reality is far more complicated. The NHS (National Health Service) plays a vital role in mental health care, offering free access to everything from talking therapies to crisis intervention. But as demand grows, cracks are beginning to show. In this article, we’ll take a friendly, honest look at: What the NHS does well for mental health Where it’s struggling What you can do if you need help now Despite challenges, there’s a lot the NHS gets right — and it’s important to acknowledge that: 1. Free Access to Mental Health Services The NHS provides access to therapy, psychiatric support, and medication at no cost, which is...

TM Articles · Thursday at 8:09 PM

It’s hard to explain what it’s like living with BPD. You can feel too much and nothing all at once. People think you’re overreacting, dramatic, or unstable. Honestly, sometimes you think that about yourself too. But it’s deeper than that. It’s like your emotions don’t have a filter — everything hits harder. You might love someone with your whole heart one day, and the next, feel like they’re slipping away and it ruins you. Even if nothing really happened. The fear of being left is real — even small things like someone taking longer to reply can set off a spiral. Your brain jumps straight to: “they hate me,” “I’ve messed this up,” “they’re gone.” And when those feelings come, they don’t come quietly. It’s full-body panic. Anger...

TM Articles · Thursday at 4:35 PM

5 Signs of Depression That Might Not Be Widely Recognised When most people think of depression, they picture someone crying, withdrawn, or unable to get out of bed. But the truth is, depression can be quiet. It can show up in small, strange ways that don’t always seem like obvious red flags. You might not even realise you’re dealing with it—until you look back and connect the dots. Here are five less obvious signs of depression you might not have noticed in yourself or someone you care about: 1. You’re Snapping Over Nothing Little things set you off. Someone cuts you off in traffic, and it ruins your whole day. You drop something and suddenly want to scream. It’s not just bad temper—it’s your brain stuck in survival mode, worn down...

TM Articles · Thursday at 11:43 AM

The Daily Fight Some days just feel impossible. Not dramatic. Not loud. Just... heavy. Quietly heavy. You wake up already tired. Not the kind of tired that a nap will fix — the kind that lives in your bones. Your brain starts listing reasons not to bother. Get up? Why? Shower? What for? Eat? Pointless. If you know, you know. It’s not always obvious to the outside world. You show up. You smile. You answer messages. Maybe you even crack a joke. But inside? You’re trying not to drown. And it’s exhausting. Little things that sometimes help There’s no magic fix. No “just cheer up” button (and honestly, if someone says that, you’ve got permission to ignore them). But there are a few things — small, weird, boring things — that sometimes...

Lee · Jul 25, 2025

Let’s get this out of the way early — crying doesn’t mean you’re weak. It really doesn’t. At some point, a lot of us were made to believe it did. That showing emotion made us fragile. That if you cried, you weren’t tough enough to handle life. But that idea? It’s wrong. Crying isn’t something to hide or feel ashamed of — it’s something human beings do. All of us. Sometimes we cry because we’re hurting. Sometimes it’s from joy, or stress, or just the weight of carrying too much for too long. It’s your body releasing what your heart can’t carry anymore. And there’s no shame in that. Truth is, it takes real strength to feel things deeply. To admit you’re overwhelmed. To be honest about your pain instead of burying it or pretending it...

TM Articles · Jul 16, 2025

Having mental health issues is a hard enough thing to deal with in this day and age. Better than in years past, yes, but a struggle to be sure. Finding a therapist that will deal with you, that you connect with, and that “understands” you is paramount to receiving good care for any patient in the mental health realm, but factor in a growing number of closing doors for trans patients, a normalization of misrepresenting and shaming trans people simply for being trans, and a fear from healthcare providers to treat trans people lest they have their funding cut, and suddenly the landscape, even for mental healthcare, looks radically different from the norm. Having to find a therapist the first time around, before trans was a scary word...

TM Articles · Jul 4, 2025

Our gut and brain are more connected than you might think — not just metaphorically, but physically and chemically. Ever had “butterflies” in your stomach when nervous? Or lost your appetite under stress? That’s your gut-brain axis in action. In recent years, science has started to uncover how our mental health may be deeply tied to the bacteria, hormones, and signals in our digestive system. What Is the Gut–Brain Axis? The gut–brain axis is the two-way communication system between your central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord) and your enteric nervous system (the “second brain” in your gut). Messages travel back and forth via: The vagus nerve — like a high-speed fiber optic cable between your organs and brain...

Lee · Jul 3, 2025

Living with ADHD, Anxiety & the Shadows of the Past Living with ADHD is like constantly being tuned into the wrong radio station. Everything’s fuzzy, distracted, loud — and no matter how hard you try, the right frequency always seems just out of reach. For me, ADHD didn’t come alone. It brought anxiety along for the ride. And with them both in the driving seat, depression wasn’t far behind. For years, I didn’t really understand what was going on. I just knew I always felt behind, overwhelmed, and on edge. I’d put off important things until the last second — even things I wanted to do. My brain just wouldn’t cooperate. Bills piled up, not because I didn’t care, but because I couldn’t bring myself to face them. Even now, I’m terrible...

TM Articles · Jun 22, 2025

Substance Misuse and Mental Health: The Overlooked Connection Trigger Warning This article discusses addiction, substance misuse, trauma, and mental health issues. If you are currently struggling, please consider speaking to someone you trust or accessing the support services listed at the end of this article. The Vicious Cycle Substance misuse and mental health problems often go hand in hand. For many, alcohol or drugs are used as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, trauma, or untreated mental illness. But over time, this can spiral into addiction, which in turn worsens the mental health issues they were trying to escape. According to the NHS, people with mental health conditions are more likely to misuse substances — and those...

TM Articles · Jun 20, 2025

When someone talks about their depression, they’re not looking for a quick fix — they’re reaching out. And that’s not easy. The truth is, most people mean well. But sometimes the things we say — without realising — can make someone feel even more alone. Here are five common things people say, and why they can hurt more than help. 1. “Just try to be happy” Depression isn’t a choice. It’s not about being in a bad mood or needing to think positive. When you say this, it can make the person feel like they’re failing at something they can’t control. Try instead: “I know it’s not that simple, but I’m here for you.” 2. “Other people have it worse” Maybe true — but not helpful. Comparing pain doesn’t make someone’s experience any easier...

TM Articles · Jun 20, 2025

My Experience with Anxiety in A&E During a Panic Attack What it really feels like when your mind spirals and your body screams for help I never imagined I’d end up in A&E because of anxiety. Not for a broken bone. Not for a cut. But because I genuinely thought I was dying. This is what a panic attack can do to you. And if you’ve ever been through it — or are going through it now — I hope this helps you feel a little less alone. The Moment It Hit Me It started with a weird feeling in my chest. Tight. Heavy. Then came the racing heart, the dizziness, the tunnel vision. Suddenly I couldn’t catch my breath, and everything felt… wrong. My mind told me, “This is it. You’re having a heart attack. Something’s seriously wrong.” So I...

TM Articles · Jun 19, 2025

Let’s be real for a second. How many times have you said “I’m fine” when you weren’t? How often have you smiled through the day but crumbled the moment you were alone? Yeah. Me too. We live in a world that praises strength, but the kind of strength that looks like silence. Holding it all in. Pretending. Keeping busy so no one sees the cracks. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to be “fine.” You don’t have to pretend you’re okay when you're not. Mental Illness Isn’t Always Obvious Sometimes it's loud — panic attacks, breakdowns, crying until your body hurts. Other times, it's quiet — zoning out in conversations, staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., losing interest in things you used to love. And because it's not always visible, people...

TM Articles · Jun 18, 2025

7 Quick Ways to Support Your Mental Health Today Taking care of your mind doesn’t always require big changes — sometimes the small things add up. Here are 7 simple ways you can support your mental health right now: Take a 10-Minute Break Step away from screens, go outside, or simply close your eyes. A short break can reset your brain and reduce stress. Stay Hydrated Your brain needs water to function well. Dehydration can affect your mood and energy — so grab a glass! Say “No” Without Guilt Protect your peace. Saying no doesn’t make you selfish — it makes you strong. Write Down 3 Things You're Grateful For Gratitude helps shift your mindset away from anxiety and toward appreciation. Move Your Body Stretch, walk, dance — even a few...

Trapped Minds - A Safe Space for Healing

Show only:

Mental Health and the NHS: What’s Working, What’s Missing

Borderline Stuff

5 Signs of Depression That Might Not Be Widely Recognised

The Daily Fight

Is crying a sign of weakness?

Navigating the World of Trans Mental Health

Science and the Gut/Brain Connection

Living with ADHD, Anxiety & the Shadows of the Past

Substance Misuse and Mental Health: The Overlooked Connection

5 Things Not to Say to Someone With Depression

My Experience with Anxiety in A&E During a Panic Attack

You Don’t Have to Pretend You’re Okay

7 Quick Ways to Support Your Mental Health Today

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