New Elgin man raises cash for local psychiatric units after psychosis episode
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A NEW Elgin man has bravely spoken out about his short but "terrifying" episode of psychosis as he raises cash for local psychiatric units – smashing his fundraiser target within a week.
The single dad, who wishes to remain anonymous for the sake of his family, launched a JustGiving appeal last week to thank Aberdeen's Royal Cornhill Hospital and Dr Gray's Hospital's Ward 4 following recent mental health difficulties.
The 48-year-old said his experience last month, which he believes was triggered by extreme and prolonged stress, was terrifying.
He said: "It was the scariest time of my life – but the hospital staff were fantastic, even mid Covid pandemic."
The man was taken by his worried parents to A&E on Saturday, April 17, when he was later admitted to Ward 4 at Dr Gray's, then transferred to Cornhill by ambulance.
However, he was back at Dr Gray's by Wednesday, April 21, and discharged the next day after making speedy progress and being prescribed medication.
He said: "I started hearing things and seeing things over the last few months. I thought it was because I was wearing ear defenders at work. I thought people were shouting my name and I would turn round and there would be nobody there.
"Late at night I would see things like spiders webs but it was always just out of my field of vision.
"My arms and legs started to twitch.
"On the Saturday I had a crushing headache, and I started to think the TV was speaking to me, and that I had been put in charge of the royal funeral and a royal wedding. Parts of my subconscious just picked people and made up stories, which was all part of my psychosis.
"On the 17th I went up to my mum and dad's and I was rambling on, telling them that I'd won a car and I had to phone a number, and that I'd got such-and-such a job – it was all crazy. My dad said 'please, will you come to A&E with me?' "
He was admitted to hospital.
It was the first ever time he had experienced psychosis. He added: "It was so frightening.
"When I came home I had a good cry with the dog. He has been the best therapy."
He now wants to raise awareness of mental health issues to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week from May 10-16.
He said: "During the pandemic I had been thinking about what I could do for the NHS, as the staff have been going to work in a battlefield every day, facing an invisible enemy. I was thinking I could cut grass or put bins out.
"But after this psychosis happened to me I thought there's the reason to raise some money for them."
The man has raised £550 through his own private Facebook page, and hopes now to reach £700.
He has also secured merchandise from a US-based hip-hop podcaster, No Jumper, and hopes to either sell or raffle these off to add to the total.
He added: "Since I put this out on my own page, a couple of people have reached out, thanking me for speaking about it.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of.
"I've reached my initial £500 goal so I'm delighted – but if people wanted to help they could donate to other mental health charities or reach out to someone who might be struggling to ask them if they're OK."
