My name is Freddie, I’m 30 and I’m from London. 

I’ve decided to start this blog, focusing on the subject of mental health but with licence to deviate – so far, a mathematical analysis of some economics and politics, where else we shall see.

I think I can offer a fairly unique perspective on this subject:

My brother, Joe, suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2006, following an assault outside a nightclub after a Saturday night out with friends. The brain damage this caused had an immediate effect on his mental state, and he was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder (type 1) two years later when he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act for the first time. During manic phases he can be in a state psychosis for up to two months with symptoms including euphoria, delusions and extreme paranoia – often believing he is the star of a ‘Truman Show’-style reality show.

More recently, I have also seen my father, Bill, suffer from a severe Impulse Control Disorder – a bizarre and dangerous side-effect from his Parkinson’s Disease medication. An inability to suppress impulses basically means you lose your sense of free will, unable to resist urges or reject opportunities. He was literally ‘Yes Man’ (never did I think my family would draw so many parallels to Jim Carrey films!), which has had some pretty disastrous and traumatic consequences. Researchers want a stronger warning on these types of medications for these side-effects, whilst drug companies (due to sell $3.2bn of the stuff by 2020) don’t. This will be the subject of my first post, and probably the initial priority of this blog.

Certainly living through these experiences has shaped the person I am – my values, beliefs and ambitions. I’ve felt the hopelessness and frustration, but amazing connectedness of supporting loved ones through some frightening situations. It’s made me a stronger person, more compassionate, more aware, and has completely overhauled my priorities in life. It also, however, brought out an arrogant sense of invincibility in my own self, a falsehood which has recently become strikingly apparent.

Currently, as I launch this blog, I am recovering (well, I feel) from burn out, anxiety, depression, trauma, all of the above. I’ve always been a private person, but in this period of reflection and rebuilding I thought it would be interesting to share perspectives and ideas. At the very least I hope this will serve as some sort of therapy. If I can raise some awareness or spark a conversation, even better – please get in touch.

A bit more about me – I studied maths at university, and have a background in business modelling, web development, social investment, and bouncy castles. I like cycling (slowly), cooking (badly) and telling anyone who will listen why disco is more than just objectively good music.