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Diagnosed of ADHD at 50: a Life Changing experience
Diagnosed of ADHD at 50: a Life Changing experience
Introduction
Two men in their 50s receive an ADHD diagnosis which changes their lives:
J’s email to myself within a week of starting medication: “I am a completely different person now Dr. The transformation is beyond comprehension.
I’ve never looked forward to my life in the past, ever, and I’m 50 now.
Thank you so much!”
M’s email to myself after 4 days on medication: “It’s been an absolute game-changer for me and the family and thank you so much once again for your fantastic support”.
Aim of this Article
The purpose of this article is to raise awareness amongst mental health professionals to look deeper into “apparent” presentations and think of possible underlying conditions such as ADHD perpetuating symptoms and only allowing to partial improvements.
It is also aiming to raise awareness in everyone on how pervasive ADHD is and how it is worth to understand one’s difficulties and mental health challenges in order to search for the right help and support.
A diagnosis of ADHD and consequent treatment can change not only a person’s life but also his family’s (due to the extended impact on the whole family) as described below.
Following from the above, not everyone with ADHD requires a diagnosis or medication. To explore this further there is an article on my website www.mindyrlife.com which explores diagnosis further “ADHD… Diagnosis or Not”.
Prevalence of ADHD as Diagnosis and as Presentation, two different things!
Indeed, I believe there are many people out there with ADHD who are doing just fine without a diagnosis; there may be many different reasons for this including individual, family and/or environmental supportive and protective factors.
One or more of these “protective factors” have enabled them to compensate for the challenges that come along with ADHD. They’re not even likely to be aware they have ADHD.
Furthermore, I believe there are more people with an ADHD-like presentation who don’t have a diagnosis than those who have actually received a formal diagnosis.
This is explained by the fact that a diagnosis of ADHD is only given when symptoms impact sufficiently on daily functioning which means that someone could have an ADHD presentation but wouldn’t meet the criteria for diagnosis as they’ve got protective factors, most commonly high IQ, which reduce the impact of their ADHD symptoms on their daily functioning (such as impact on academic performance in school, working performance, social vulnerability and others).
ADHD Diagnosis + Treatment changing Lives after the age of 50:
Two similar stories of two men aged 50 and 58 who, after struggling all their lives with depression, anxiety and other mental health problems, get a diagnosis of ADHD in their 50s which changes their lives when medication is prescribed.
In the last 6 months, I have diagnosed two men in their early and late 50s with ADHD.
When I first met them, they were both presenting with depression and anxiety; therefore, we agreed to “treating” those first.
As I explained to them, it’s not right to assess ADHD when depression and anxiety are present since these “mimic” ADHD symptoms and, therefore, any evaluation of ADHD symptoms would be inaccurate and biased.
In other words, the 3 symptoms of ADHD, inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are seen in anxiety; if someone is feeling anxious, they are “hypervigilant” and won’t be able to concentrate well on anything (inattention); if someone is anxious, they’ll be restless and fidgety (hyperactivity) and equally more likely to startle, over-react and respond with “fight/fight” (impulsivity).
On those bases, unless the anxiety is well managed, accurately assessing ADHD is much harder.
Indeed, I have seen misdiagnoses of ADHD in people with chronic anxiety as well as seeing people with chronic anxiety never diagnosed with ADHD as everything was explained on the basis of the anxiety. Hence why it’s so important to be aware of the comorbidity of both conditions!
J’s story
J had been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder when he was in his mid 20s. He had then been prescribed Lithium which made him feel unwell so eventually stopped.
He had suffered with mood swings, depression and anxiety throughout all his life.
For a number of years he had used alcohol as a coping mechanism which helped him feel more settled and released when under the influence but, of course, didn’t help with his difficulties in the longer term (on the contrary, and as expected, made things worse.)
J tried to get professional help many times but all professionals ever saw were the “outer layer”, his mood swings and attempts to self-medicate with the use of alcohol.
I met J a bit before he was turning 50. He had heard about ADHD and asked if an assessment could be done. It was evident that J was presenting with clinical depression and chronic anxiety as well as long term sleep problems.
Based on his presentation, we needed to prioritise managing his depression/anxiety before we could really look into the likely underlying ADHD.
When we did so, J’s responded very well to antidepressant medication and his mood soon lifted as his anxiety reduced therefore managing daily life better.
It was then time to look at his ADHD symptoms and his chaotic lifestyle.
As it’s often the case, ADHD questionnaires took ages to be returned as J misplaced them several times (before and even after completing them) which delayed the assessment a few months.
J had a Qb Check which, again as expected, scored him highly for the 3 ADHD symptoms, in line with the diagnosis. J was shocked at how highly he had scored.
Once we formalised the diagnosis, J had conflicting emotions about it; on the one hand he felt frustrated and even angry at the fact that he had been going for professional help during the previous 25 years and no one had thought of ADHD and, on the other hand, J was hugely relieved with hopeful after a very long time.
J then looked forwards to a trial of ADHD medication, yet also felt rather anxious about it.
We then discussed medication options and, after the relevant physical health checks, J started a neurostimulant. The response was almost immediate and the impact on his life impressive.
J shared with me that not only he was aware of the massive difference but everyone around him, family members, friends and work colleagues had commented on the change. J was absolutely delighted with it.
J has not been on antidepressants for several months and his mood has remained stable (actually he presents brighter and happier than I had ever seen them since meeting him a year before).
J had also been prescribed Circadin for many months to help with his sleep but he was no longer needing them.
His daughter is now undertaking an ADHD assessment as J recognises the ADHD symptoms in her.
M's Story
M’s daughter was first referred to me and during our first consultation she enquired about a possible ADHD presentation.
Whilst M’s daughter had been researching ADHD, M had seen the resemblance of the symptoms on himself and so, also enquired about ADHD.
On meeting M and exploring his mental health history, he shared he had been prescribed antidepressants at variable dosages, on and off, for years. My advice was to take them again and we adjusted the dosage accordingly to manage both the low mood as well as the anxiety symptoms.
M also had major problems with sleep both during the day in that he would dozed off as soon as he sat down, but also during the night when he could only get a few hours of sleep leading to chronic tiredness.
Once M responded to the antidepressant medication and there was an evident improvement on his overall presentation, we agreed to undertake an ADHD assessment.
M completed the ADHD questionnaire and so did his wife to have another reference. M then undertook a Qb Check which he was convinced he’d do very well on.
M was surprised on how challenging he found to do the Qb test and was taken back with his performance and high scoring on all the 3 symptoms of ADHD, in line with an ADHD diagnosis.
When M received the diagnosis of ADHD, he also had mixed feelings: “I have mixed emotions about the diagnosis ranging from massive relief to frustration at not acting on it sooner!”
As I responded to M’s self-critical comment, his IQ is likely to be well above average and, most possibly, will have masked his severe inattention.
Furthermore, it’s really encouraging to see how a man in his 50s has the courage to pursue an ADHD diagnosis aiming to improve his quality of life regardless of any potential stigma.
So in my view, it deserves huge ADMIRATION with no room left for self-disappointment, only CELEBRATION.
We discussed ADHD medication alternatives on the basis of M’s needs and profile and agreed to a trial of neurostimulant medication also.
His response was fantastic as he states on his email shown above.
M is also presenting much brighter than prior to starting the ADHD medication and, as he’s more focused and so more “aware”, he feels more in control over his life and, as a consequence, less anxious.
Another indirect benefit from the ADHD medication is the improved sleep; now that M is so much more proactive and efficient during his working day, he’s not dozing off when he sits down and he’s sleeping much better (both because he’s more tired, physically and mentally but also less anxious as feels more in control over his life).
When spoken to M’s wife, she also shared how impressed she was with the “new M” and described him as much more efficient, active, aware …
She added that his improvement was positively impacting on the whole family and she was delighted M was now doing things he had never been involved with before such as booking holidays for the family.
TAKE HOME MESSAGE:
Whilst accepting limitations, let’s never give up on IMPROVING our quality of life.
Let’s continue to LEARN on daily basis by keeping a curious attitude and an open-minded approach.
Today perhaps we can learn about ADHD DIAGNOSIS in ADULTHOOD…
COMMON BARRIERS:
- Age (adults over 40 years of age) as less “pure” presentations and therefore more challenging to diagnose.
- Comorbidities; presenting with other mental health conditions commonly depression/anxiety which may appear more relevant.
- Most adults only seen by Primary Health services with less knowledge on ADHD- limited training on neurodiversity (ADHD and ASD) in adult mental health professionals who therefore tend to miss conditions typically from childhood/adolescence.
- Misdiagnosis, most commonly bipolar disorder and personality disorder (which is different to presenting with comorbid conditions).
- Limited awareness and understanding of ADHD, particularly when comorbidities present (which is often the case in childhood but most likely in adulthood)
- Misconceptions on ADHD.
TIPS to RAISE AWARENESS:
- Incredibly high genetic loading… make the link between ADHD presentations passed on through generations.
- Think about the ADHD presentations being life long (how it showed in school).
- Be mindful that by adulthood there will be many stablished coping mechanisms that have got you through life (some of them may not be too healthy) and these may mask the ADHD symptoms.
Closing Statement
Let’s always have an attitude of APPRECIATION and GRATITUDE as this is a wonderful way to maintain a positive mindset and become happier…
“Today I’m grateful to J and M for trusting me to help them and, in doing so, making my job so incredibly rewarding.”
I BELIEVE... in the bright inner diamond that we ALL have and makes us all PERFECT; do you?
The fascinating comorbid ADHD + ASD... what 50 years ago was deemed as impossible, today is a fact... here we explore what may also become a fact in another 50 years? The purpose of this article is to reflect on the presentation of comorbid ADHD and ASD which is very different to when these two conditions present separately, highlighting the challenges of diagnosing this FASCINATING COMORBIDITY whilst exploring its potential and strength, and learning on the way. I refer to this comorbidity as fascinating as, how symptoms and traits mix, has the potential of resulting on an amazingly successful combination or, on the other hand, leading to a much greater challenge in getting through life. Individuals with the amazing trait combination of this ADHD + ASD comorbidity are likely to have successful careers and never present in Mental Health (MH services whereas those with the more challenging trait combination are more likely to present in MH services due to the comorbidity itself or secondary presentations such as depression or anxiety.
"SOME" live life humbly always learning and growing with a determination to become better beings for the greater universal good. "OTHERS" struggle to learn from life and get stuck in a loop of hollow, self-centered materialism... in which do you choose to be?
Change is the only thing that is permanent in life. Evolution is on-going continuous Change. Evolution starts with the Change in ONE being to then become two beings, then a few, and a few more to form a minority and ultimately, the majority and ALL. ADH (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity) is slowly but surely becoming a more and more common Presentation. Therefore, should we still refer to it as a Disorder, ADHD? Perhaps, it is now time to talk about ADHP , a Presentation .
Should I have an assessment? Should I get a diagnosis? Should I share that I’ve got a diagnosis? Should I take medication? Should my child have an assessment, get a diagnosis or take medication? Have you ever asked yourself those questions? Are you now trying to decide what to do? Well, let’s then think about it!
We are so pleased to announce that Dr. Luisa Sanz has just launched her guided wellbeing journal: My Journal, MYLife . This will support you in achieving the changes you set off to make in your life whilst, effortlessly, you’ll also be changing your outlook towards a more positive one ultimately leading to a more fulfilling, happier life. This journal was written and developed by Dr. Luisa Sanz. You'll find space for reflection, introspection, learning, and growth. This is a springboard to becoming a better version of yourself through proving your inner strength and so achieving a deeper self-understanding and a greater sense of purpose. While tools like this can be extremely valuable, and we know you will benefit greatly from this journal, we wanted to explore goal setting further to help you understand the intention behind the journal and help you succeed in the goals you set out for yourself. Here is an interview with Dr. Sanz about goals. We hope you enjoy it! If you’re ready to make positive changes in your life, get your journal now! What is a Goal? A goal is anything that we aim for or want to change. When we’re setting goals and imagining those changes, one would expect that they will improve our quality of life or be beneficial somehow. So, most goals are positive in nature, either in the short term, long term, or both. Sometimes reaching one’s goals seems very difficult, and in the short term it can appear to make life harder or more of a struggle, but in the longer term, they provide a real benefit. If you are not satisfied with some aspects of your life, then you need to reflect on why you aren’t satisfied and if it would be worth putting in the effort to make a change and improve that aspect of life. If the answer is yes, then you set out to change and the goal comes from that place. What are some benefits of setting sustainable, achievable goals? Good question! Instead, I would phrase it as setting achievable goals that are then sustainable. First, you have to be able to achieve the goal that you’ve set, then you need to be able to sustain it through time. The benefit of this type of achievable and sustainable goal is, in the greatest sense, a better quality of life. You’ve likely set a goal that is going to help improve your lifestyle, when you meet this goal and elevate your lifestyle, your self-esteem will boost because you’re achieving what you’ve set out to achieve and that would also improve your confidence levels. In our journal, we have the “Cuadruple S” or “SSSS.” It stands for Sensible, Sustainable, and Safe goals to Succeed. In setting goals that meet the “SSSS,” we are more likely to benefit from those goals in the long term. Do you believe there is a direct link between goals and happiness? The straight answer would be absolutely yes. But, for deeper exploration, I’d add that people tend to misunderstand what happiness is and assume that feeling happy is being happy, but there’s an essential difference between the two. Feeling happy can be achieved by anything that temporarily brings us joy whereas being happy is a state of being, a long-term way of living; this is much harder to achieve. It is achievable, certainly, but it tends to require a longer journey. That said, goals can be used to provide both the feeling and the state of being happy. Perhaps it makes you feel temporarily happy at first, but if it’s sustained over time, it may lead you to a happier state of being. Happiness is achievable for all of us, but some of us are born with a more positive outlook which makes our journey much easier; whereas some others have a more negative predisposition and so need to make a greater effort in achieving goals to ultimately achieve the greatest goal of happiness. What are some tactics that one may use to inspire real lasting change in their lives? The greatest tactic is your mindset. You’ve got to believe in yourself, you’ve got to believe in the fact that you have a right to be happy and to achieve the goals you are setting out to. Along with the journal comes some “rules” to help you set and achieve your goals, but also to help you believe. One of the first rules is love, you must begin with love for yourself. Another rule is honesty. You’ve got to be honest with yourself as to why you are setting a specific goal and what you aim to achieve. When it comes to goals, we tend to default to excuses and outward-facing blame if we struggle to achieve what we’ve set out to. But, if you’re honest with yourself, internal reasons for struggling to achieve goals will come to the surface. Perhaps you aren’t prioritizing yourself, perhaps you’re not ready for the change. There are three rules when entering this journal and they are absolutely crucial: you have to love yourself, you have to be honest with yourself, and you have to enter with positivity. The last one begins with a positive mindset. This is not to say that you need to be so positive that you simply can’t allow mistakes, on the contrary, it is to say that despite mistakes you still stay positive as mistakes aren’t really such, instead they’re experiences to learn from… and that’s the positive outlook we’re talking about! You've got to ask yourself: “Is this goal important enough?” And “is it worth the effort that I need to put in?” These two questions can be answered by looking at the “why and the “who” of the goal: “Why do I want this change?” and “who am I doing it for?” This is where you need to exercise total honesty. If you can’t answer the “why,” it’s not important enough, therefore it will be harder to succeed. And if the answer to the “who” doesn’t include yourself, the change may happen but it’s not likely to last long as changing for others is never the right reason and so requires too much effort. Next, you need to ask if the goal is realistic and if it is sustainable. You need to be able to achieve your goal, but you also need to be able to sustain the change to improve your life and your happiness in the long term. Unsustainable goals can diminish long-term benefit rather than elevate it. So, ask yourself about why you’re doing it, who you’re doing it for, and if it’s realistic and sustainable. If you’ve got answers to all four questions, you will certainly achieve your goal. What are some unhealthy or toxic assumptions or beliefs about goals? In my opinion, the most toxic belief about goals is the need to change becoming an expectation from society. If you ever think that you need to fit in with society's expectations and this leads your change, then you won't succeed in your long-term goals, you may achieve them, but you won't sustain them. Goals like these that are set to meet others’ needs and expectations are not authentic to yourself. You've got to set a goal that you believe in, not because others want you to change in that way or expect that change in you, but because you believe in those goals. Another aspect of changing in response to social expectations leading to unsuccessful goals is comparison. When we compare ourselves to others and make changes in this way, those changes are not genuine and won’t last. Another worrisome side of goal setting is shame and fear of failing. This is why we must enter with love, honesty, and positivity. It’s okay to make mistakes, it’s okay to readjust. When we set goals for ourselves and give ourselves room for error, we’re so much more likely to succeed and, so much more likely to just get started in the first place. How is your journal different from what else is out there? What sets this journal apart is the intention behind it. This journal is different from anything that’s out there because it’s got both short-term intention and long-term purpose. It’s aiming to help people in the here and now, but it also has the long-term purpose of transformation. This journal aims to switch your mindset towards a more positive outlook in life. In changing one’s outlook, making changes, achieving goals and sustaining them becomes a much easier task. The beauty of this journal is that from the beginning of day one, it provides you with loads of tools to help you succeed, both within the journal and in your day-to-day life. It helps you rationalize your goals and lay a foundation for success. There are other things like lists of reasons to change and inspirational quotes. We provide a ton of those and also give you space to add your own. You’ll find the “Be Better Box,” daily pages and weekly reflections, and so much more. This journal is made for everyone and developed with clinical, factual background information on positive mindsetting, goal setting/succeeding and factors contributing to happiness.
Dr. Luisa Sanz, Founder of Mind Yr Life, shares the story of her late brother, Antonio, who lived with schizophrenia from the age of 17. Dr. Sanz takes a deep dive into the impacts on her family and the societal stigmas that Antonio was forced to endure.
In this article, Dr. Luisa Sanz interviews the mother of a patient named Miles. Miles has both autism and ADHD and in this interview, Dr. Sanz explores Lucy and Miles' story.
We are pleased to share a video series on ADHD by Dr. Luisa Sanz, child and adolescent psychiatrist. The purpose of Mind Yr Life is to share information and start conversations to dismantle stigma surrounding mental health and promote an attitude of acceptance, compassion, love, and respect.
In this interview, Dr. Luisa Sanz talks to Chris about his struggles with mental health. They cover depression, anxiety, autism, and more.
Diagnosed of ADHD at 50: a Life Changing experience
I BELIEVE... in the bright inner diamond that we ALL have and makes us all PERFECT; do you?
The fascinating comorbid ADHD + ASD... what 50 years ago was deemed as impossible, today is a fact... here we explore what may also become a fact in another 50 years? The purpose of this article is to reflect on the presentation of comorbid ADHD and ASD which is very different to when these two conditions present separately, highlighting the challenges of diagnosing this FASCINATING COMORBIDITY whilst exploring its potential and strength, and learning on the way. I refer to this comorbidity as fascinating as, how symptoms and traits mix, has the potential of resulting on an amazingly successful combination or, on the other hand, leading to a much greater challenge in getting through life. Individuals with the amazing trait combination of this ADHD + ASD comorbidity are likely to have successful careers and never present in Mental Health (MH services whereas those with the more challenging trait combination are more likely to present in MH services due to the comorbidity itself or secondary presentations such as depression or anxiety.
"SOME" live life humbly always learning and growing with a determination to become better beings for the greater universal good. "OTHERS" struggle to learn from life and get stuck in a loop of hollow, self-centered materialism... in which do you choose to be?
Change is the only thing that is permanent in life. Evolution is on-going continuous Change. Evolution starts with the Change in ONE being to then become two beings, then a few, and a few more to form a minority and ultimately, the majority and ALL. ADH (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity) is slowly but surely becoming a more and more common Presentation. Therefore, should we still refer to it as a Disorder, ADHD? Perhaps, it is now time to talk about ADHP , a Presentation .
Should I have an assessment? Should I get a diagnosis? Should I share that I’ve got a diagnosis? Should I take medication? Should my child have an assessment, get a diagnosis or take medication? Have you ever asked yourself those questions? Are you now trying to decide what to do? Well, let’s then think about it!
We are so pleased to announce that Dr. Luisa Sanz has just launched her guided wellbeing journal: My Journal, MYLife . This will support you in achieving the changes you set off to make in your life whilst, effortlessly, you’ll also be changing your outlook towards a more positive one ultimately leading to a more fulfilling, happier life. This journal was written and developed by Dr. Luisa Sanz. You'll find space for reflection, introspection, learning, and growth. This is a springboard to becoming a better version of yourself through proving your inner strength and so achieving a deeper self-understanding and a greater sense of purpose. While tools like this can be extremely valuable, and we know you will benefit greatly from this journal, we wanted to explore goal setting further to help you understand the intention behind the journal and help you succeed in the goals you set out for yourself. Here is an interview with Dr. Sanz about goals. We hope you enjoy it! If you’re ready to make positive changes in your life, get your journal now! What is a Goal? A goal is anything that we aim for or want to change. When we’re setting goals and imagining those changes, one would expect that they will improve our quality of life or be beneficial somehow. So, most goals are positive in nature, either in the short term, long term, or both. Sometimes reaching one’s goals seems very difficult, and in the short term it can appear to make life harder or more of a struggle, but in the longer term, they provide a real benefit. If you are not satisfied with some aspects of your life, then you need to reflect on why you aren’t satisfied and if it would be worth putting in the effort to make a change and improve that aspect of life. If the answer is yes, then you set out to change and the goal comes from that place. What are some benefits of setting sustainable, achievable goals? Good question! Instead, I would phrase it as setting achievable goals that are then sustainable. First, you have to be able to achieve the goal that you’ve set, then you need to be able to sustain it through time. The benefit of this type of achievable and sustainable goal is, in the greatest sense, a better quality of life. You’ve likely set a goal that is going to help improve your lifestyle, when you meet this goal and elevate your lifestyle, your self-esteem will boost because you’re achieving what you’ve set out to achieve and that would also improve your confidence levels. In our journal, we have the “Cuadruple S” or “SSSS.” It stands for Sensible, Sustainable, and Safe goals to Succeed. In setting goals that meet the “SSSS,” we are more likely to benefit from those goals in the long term. Do you believe there is a direct link between goals and happiness? The straight answer would be absolutely yes. But, for deeper exploration, I’d add that people tend to misunderstand what happiness is and assume that feeling happy is being happy, but there’s an essential difference between the two. Feeling happy can be achieved by anything that temporarily brings us joy whereas being happy is a state of being, a long-term way of living; this is much harder to achieve. It is achievable, certainly, but it tends to require a longer journey. That said, goals can be used to provide both the feeling and the state of being happy. Perhaps it makes you feel temporarily happy at first, but if it’s sustained over time, it may lead you to a happier state of being. Happiness is achievable for all of us, but some of us are born with a more positive outlook which makes our journey much easier; whereas some others have a more negative predisposition and so need to make a greater effort in achieving goals to ultimately achieve the greatest goal of happiness. What are some tactics that one may use to inspire real lasting change in their lives? The greatest tactic is your mindset. You’ve got to believe in yourself, you’ve got to believe in the fact that you have a right to be happy and to achieve the goals you are setting out to. Along with the journal comes some “rules” to help you set and achieve your goals, but also to help you believe. One of the first rules is love, you must begin with love for yourself. Another rule is honesty. You’ve got to be honest with yourself as to why you are setting a specific goal and what you aim to achieve. When it comes to goals, we tend to default to excuses and outward-facing blame if we struggle to achieve what we’ve set out to. But, if you’re honest with yourself, internal reasons for struggling to achieve goals will come to the surface. Perhaps you aren’t prioritizing yourself, perhaps you’re not ready for the change. There are three rules when entering this journal and they are absolutely crucial: you have to love yourself, you have to be honest with yourself, and you have to enter with positivity. The last one begins with a positive mindset. This is not to say that you need to be so positive that you simply can’t allow mistakes, on the contrary, it is to say that despite mistakes you still stay positive as mistakes aren’t really such, instead they’re experiences to learn from… and that’s the positive outlook we’re talking about! You've got to ask yourself: “Is this goal important enough?” And “is it worth the effort that I need to put in?” These two questions can be answered by looking at the “why and the “who” of the goal: “Why do I want this change?” and “who am I doing it for?” This is where you need to exercise total honesty. If you can’t answer the “why,” it’s not important enough, therefore it will be harder to succeed. And if the answer to the “who” doesn’t include yourself, the change may happen but it’s not likely to last long as changing for others is never the right reason and so requires too much effort. Next, you need to ask if the goal is realistic and if it is sustainable. You need to be able to achieve your goal, but you also need to be able to sustain the change to improve your life and your happiness in the long term. Unsustainable goals can diminish long-term benefit rather than elevate it. So, ask yourself about why you’re doing it, who you’re doing it for, and if it’s realistic and sustainable. If you’ve got answers to all four questions, you will certainly achieve your goal. What are some unhealthy or toxic assumptions or beliefs about goals? In my opinion, the most toxic belief about goals is the need to change becoming an expectation from society. If you ever think that you need to fit in with society's expectations and this leads your change, then you won't succeed in your long-term goals, you may achieve them, but you won't sustain them. Goals like these that are set to meet others’ needs and expectations are not authentic to yourself. You've got to set a goal that you believe in, not because others want you to change in that way or expect that change in you, but because you believe in those goals. Another aspect of changing in response to social expectations leading to unsuccessful goals is comparison. When we compare ourselves to others and make changes in this way, those changes are not genuine and won’t last. Another worrisome side of goal setting is shame and fear of failing. This is why we must enter with love, honesty, and positivity. It’s okay to make mistakes, it’s okay to readjust. When we set goals for ourselves and give ourselves room for error, we’re so much more likely to succeed and, so much more likely to just get started in the first place. How is your journal different from what else is out there? What sets this journal apart is the intention behind it. This journal is different from anything that’s out there because it’s got both short-term intention and long-term purpose. It’s aiming to help people in the here and now, but it also has the long-term purpose of transformation. This journal aims to switch your mindset towards a more positive outlook in life. In changing one’s outlook, making changes, achieving goals and sustaining them becomes a much easier task. The beauty of this journal is that from the beginning of day one, it provides you with loads of tools to help you succeed, both within the journal and in your day-to-day life. It helps you rationalize your goals and lay a foundation for success. There are other things like lists of reasons to change and inspirational quotes. We provide a ton of those and also give you space to add your own. You’ll find the “Be Better Box,” daily pages and weekly reflections, and so much more. This journal is made for everyone and developed with clinical, factual background information on positive mindsetting, goal setting/succeeding and factors contributing to happiness.
Dr. Luisa Sanz, Founder of Mind Yr Life, shares the story of her late brother, Antonio, who lived with schizophrenia from the age of 17. Dr. Sanz takes a deep dive into the impacts on her family and the societal stigmas that Antonio was forced to endure.
In this article, Dr. Luisa Sanz interviews the mother of a patient named Miles. Miles has both autism and ADHD and in this interview, Dr. Sanz explores Lucy and Miles' story.
We are pleased to share a video series on ADHD by Dr. Luisa Sanz, child and adolescent psychiatrist. The purpose of Mind Yr Life is to share information and start conversations to dismantle stigma surrounding mental health and promote an attitude of acceptance, compassion, love, and respect.
In this interview, Dr. Luisa Sanz talks to Chris about his struggles with mental health. They cover depression, anxiety, autism, and more.
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I BELIEVE… Do you know the story of the King who gifted a poor man with an incredible bright shining diamond but the poor man never knew he had it so lived his life in poverty? Well, I BELIEVE we were all gifted a diamond but many don’t know it and live in poverty (of mind). Let’s not waste our lives for not BELIEVING, let’s let go of Fear and start TRUSTING ourselves and the Wisdom in the Universe, let’s do so TODAY. 💙💜🩵 https://www.mindyrlife.com/reflections-i-believeButton -
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Life is a Journey to Learn and Evolve…👌 Anything that irritates us is teaching us Tolerance and Patience…🩵 Any injustice is teaching us Forgiveness and Purpose… 🩷 Anything that we hate is teaching us unconditional Love…❤️ Any mistake we make is teaching us Humbleness…💛 Anything that we fear is teaching us Courage…💙 Anyone who abandons us is teaching us Self-worth…🧡 Anything that we can’t control is teaching us Acceptance and Let go…💚 Any weakness is teaching us Empowerment…🩶 Life is a Journey and is always teaching us within a perfect Universal Balance 🌈 It’s our choice to Learn or not 💟Button -
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I’m amazed with how hard we try to fit in and how unhappy this makes us. As a Child and Adolescent psychiatrist it saddens me how many young people come to my clinic and tell me how they don’t feel they belong. Perhaps that is to be expected in a mental health service… but what if I said that I come across the same feeling even more often when I’m not at work? My children are aged 16 to 21 and it’s their friends from school that I often talk to and realise how much “different” they also feel and how lonely this makes them. At least the ones I meet at work ate a step ahead and are getting help, but the majority don’t ask for help and suffer in silence as it’s too embarrassing to acknowledge it. I really feel for the young men that have to keep a front of “macho-men” and can’t show any vulnerability at all. I also feel for the young women who have to Iive competing for appearance, pretending to be who they’re not! How ironic, so many on the same situation yet all trying to hide it, continue pretending and living fake lives! When will we realise we are perfect just as we are and don’t need to fit in anywhere nor pretend anymore! The world can only be two ways: we’re either all unique so no need to fit in anywhere OR we’re all the same and part of a wholeness and, again, no need to fit in like all the different colours and shades of a whole gorgeous 🌈 rainbow! ❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜Button -
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They say WISDOM comes with age… to SOME: SOME have learnt many lessons and understand there are infinite more to learn; OTHERS haven’t learnt much but believe they know it all. SOME have developed great compassion and live giving themselves and advocating for true equality; OTHERS continue to assume, judge, criticise, belittle and discriminate often under some “socially acceptable” disguise. SOME understand the meaning of Purpose and why it needs to involve the greater good; OTHERS continue to fight their own battle every day selfishly and purposelessly. SOME have really made the connection between Love and Peace, and these with Happiness; OTHERS continue chasing stuff in the hope it will bring them happiness that never comes. SOME have come to the realisation that our “search” starts and ends inside us, that the outside is simply the reflection of our inside, that it is our own growth that is Liberating, that we need to truly believe we are worthy to allow worth to come to us; OTHERS have spent their lives complaining and expecting everyone to change to fit their expectations. SOME have let go of Fear in its widest sense… fear not to have enough or to lose what we have, fear to be alone or to have to tolerate others, fear to live a life we don’t want or die when not ready. Some have let go of Fear and are free from Chains and limitations; OTHERS continue to believe their wellbeing depends on the level of control they have over their lives. SOME have become humble enough to accept ... that we just don’t know, that things simply happen the way they are meant to, that the Laws of the Universe are much wiser… to accept everything and everyone… to accept and not resist but flow with it. SOME arrive to the conclusion that LOVE is the greatest ever Universal force capable of healing any mental health problem; OTHERS can’t see any connection between the body, the mind and the soul. SOME have become fortunate enough to live their lives LOVING and BEING LOVED, GIVING and RECEIVING… and found HAPPINESS 🙏🏻 Perhaps we decide now if we want to be “SOME” or “OTHERS” Dedicated with all my devotion to my mum and dad 🧡Button -
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Can you imagine how it would feel to fly? Fearless and Free! When a bird opens its wings to fly for the first time, it follows its instinct and trusts the universe. At some point we, humans, stopped doing that, following our instinct and trusting; instead we started fearing, needing more and more control and that’s how we lost our wings and became prisoners of fear. The more we fear, the heavier our chains become dragging us down to the ground. The common denominator to poor mental health is always lack of self belief and so, FEAR. We overcome fear with TRUST… Sometimes I dream I fly… it’s an indescribable experience! Perhaps life would become easier by simply stating to Trust again! 💙Button -
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We sometimes complain about our life and how difficult things are. We seem to believe that our happiness depends on either others changing or society offering better opportunities… Whilst our happiness continues to rely on external factors, we’ll never find it. It’s time to start doing things differently and take the reins of our lives as our happiness is no one’s responsibility but ours! Let today be the day! 💜👍💙Button -
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When we manage to adopt the right perspective on life, the HIGHER one, everything makes sense as we learn to appreciate what’s really important… we can then “see” the greatness in little things and the irrelevance of what appears to be so big! When we get to live through the love in our hearts ♥️ we will have learnt to live by our souls! 💙 And we will have cracked it, HAPPINESS WILL HAPPEN! 😜 Let’s ALL try and daily remind ourselves of this! 🤗👌🥰Button -
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Our biggest limitation, unquestionably, is fear. Fear then leads to worrying, need for control, self-doubt, dissatisfaction, guilt, blame… and unhappiness! We then feel hopeless because “there’s nothing I can do, this is how I am … or this is how the world is.” But, try and imagine there was no fear in you, none at all. Just try for a minute to dare NOT to fear but to trust and love life… this is big, it’s huge! No more fear… what would your limitations be then?! I believe you would be free to Love everything and everyone, to love Life. I believe Happiness would just Happen then! 💜💙💜 What if we have a go! 🤗Button -
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We often miss out on the beauty in front of us because we’re looking behind us… We often miss out on the rainbow because we’re hiding from the rain… We often miss out on the magic of life because we don’t believe in it… Perhaps it’s time to try and let go of the past limiting us to embrace the gift the present is offering us! 💜Button -
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I love people with ADHD, I’m attracted to them, to their charisma, to their wit, to their nature. I know our society can make it very hard on them, expecting them to meet thresholds they never agreed to or were meant to. For some reason, “society” fears to lose control and therefore tries to keep everyone “in boxes” that can be more easily managed. But I choose to believe that, in time, we will all understand this and will learn not only to accept each of us as WE ARE but to EMBRACE such diversity which gifts our world with amazing magic!!Button -
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We spend our lives searching for happiness outside: seeking approval from others and aiming to be liked, working towards status, position, more money, better jobs, bigger houses, faster cars, more expensive holidays… For as long as we continue blind playing this game, we’ll continue to be where we are: searching. Happiness is within us but we need to learn to allow it out; no more searching outside. Let’s just BE, let’s just LOVE and GIVE, as in doing so, HAPPINESS will happen. 💜Button -
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#mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #wellbeing #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalhealthstigma #wellness #wellbeingwarrior #wellbeingwisdom Our beliefs are based on our assumptions; they shouldn’t. We shouldn’t assume, we shouldn’t judge; instead we should live with a humble attitude of learning, with an open mind and an open heart, with care, compassion, acceptance and LOVE. We see this picture and assume this couple must have had a long, happy, loving life but that’s not quite right. They have lived incredibly difficult lives, daily struggling whilst trying to best manage the challenge that came with 2 sons with schizophrenia. Undoubtedly though, LOVE got them through every battle and every day, together for more than 60 years. Thank you mum and dad for your lesson of Love 💜Button -
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We live our life based on our own perspective but there is an infinite number of possible perspectives and each of those is someone’s reality. Which perspective becomes your reality depends on what you choose to believe; that will mold your approach to life… A good start is believing in ourselves! 💜Button -
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Albert Einstein, one of the most brilliant minds to ever have lived, developer of the Theory of Relativity and great contributor to Quantum Physics, once said “there were 2 ways to live, one as if nothing is a miracle and the other as if everything is”… it’s obvious which one he believed in! 💜Button -
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Sometimes we don't need to fear, we don't need to worry, we don't need to despair. Sometimes, we just need to Trust... Trust in the magic of the Universe, Believe in the miracle of Creation, and Learn that IT knows better!Button -
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Dr. Sanz is many things. She is a mother, daughter, sister and friend. But amongst those, she is a psychiatrist and an advocate for the de-stigmatisation of mental health. We each hold so many identities at once. What are some of yours ?Button -
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Choose Love. Always choose love. It is only through love that you can reach Happiness. Here is Dr. Sanz and her two lovely daughters.Button -
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Antonio’s Story: Most of us live in fear, some do it in more obvious ways, but the only way to eradicate fear is through love. And that is precisely the lesson of this conversation. It was only near the very end of his life that my brother really felt loved and valued and fear became less of an issue for him. During his stay on the medical ward at the end of his life, he was never left on his own, his brother and sisters were there supporting him every single minute of the day. Towards the end he was saying that as long as he had the love of his family, he had nothing to fear. And he said that a few times. It was such a beautiful and emotional statement because if you really feel loved and you feel accepted for who you are, then there's nothing to fear, there's absolutely no room for fear. I just love to think about that as how my brother left. Link in bio to read more about Dr. Sanz’s brother, Antonio, who lived with schizophrenia.Button -
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Dr. Sanz was recently a guest on No Need to Explain podcast and we could not be more pleased to share the episode with you! The episode explores everything from Dr. Sanz's personal experience growing up with two brothers with schizophrenia to eradicating mental health stigma more broadly. We know you're going to love this conversation and we can't wait for you to hear it! Link in bio to listen!Button -
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The meaning of life is to give life meaning.Button -
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Today we're pleased to share an expert opinion article that Dr. Sanz wrote for the Kaleidoscope Society. Speaking as both a psychiatrist and a mother of someone with ADHD, Dr. Sanz was pleased to share this informative and inspiring piece. Link in bio to read “9 Tips for Parenting ADHD Daughters”!Button -
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This journal was written and developed by Dr. Luisa Sanz. You'll find space for reflection, introspection, learning, and growth. This is a springboard to becoming a better version of yourself through proving your inner strength and so achieving a deeper self-understanding and a greater sense of purpose. Get yours now - link in bio!Button -
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But first, let’s embrace our own uniqueness. Tell us something unique about yourself that you love! Comment below or send us a DM.Button -
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“Being Mother to my three children has, undoubtedly, been my greatest Blessing ever allowing me to experience daily unmeasurable, unconditional love! But this hasn’t come without challenges as parenting can feel daunting when we don’t know what to do for the best. For many of us, parenting is the most important role we’ll ever play, and how we perform as parents can have huge repercussions. My golden lesson and biggest challenge as their mother (which I often need to remind myself of) is to let them be themselves, accepting them and loving them as they are, without trying to make them do as I’d do “because I’m older and wiser and it’d be best for them”. I’m immensely Grateful to my children as they bring out the very best in me, helping me grow and become a better version of myself; so for that, THANK YOU gorgeous children,” Dr. SanzButton -
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How much you achieve in life depends on how much you believe in yourself. We know it can feel difficult at times, but everything starts and ends with belief.Button -
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The greatest tactic is your mindset. You’ve got to believe in yourself, you’ve got to believe in the fact that you have a right to be happy and to achieve the goals you are setting out to. Along with the journal comes some “rules” to help you set and achieve your goals, but also to help you believe. One of the first rules is love, you must begin with love for yourself. Another rule is honesty. You’ve got to be honest with yourself as to why you are setting a specific goal and what you aim to achieve. Learn more about our guided wellbeing journal and goal setting in general - link in bio!Button -
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Is there a direct link between goals and happiness? Good question! Here’s what Dr. Sanz has to say: People tend to misunderstand what happiness is and assume that feeling happy is being happy, but there’s an essential difference between the two. Feeling happy can be achieved by anything that temporarily brings us joy whereas being happy is a state of being, a long-term way of living; this is much harder to achieve. It is achievable, certainly, but it tends to require a longer journey. That said, goals can be used to provide both the feeling and the state of being happy. Perhaps it makes you feel temporarily happy at first, but if it’s sustained over time, it may lead you to a happier state of being. Head to the link in our bio to read more about the anatomy of achievable, sustainable goals.Button -
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My Journal, MYLife is the first of a series of guided wellbeing and self-improving journals. This one differs from most as it was created to support people in learning about themselves and their inner strength whilst making changes in their lives which indeed are changes in their attitude and so, approach to life, eventually becoming a “Life Changing experience”. With narrative, exercises and reflection prompts by Dr. Luisa Sanz, we know you are going to love this! Get yours now! Link in bio!Button -
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Believe in your dreams and follow them, they know the way.Button -
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Everything has happened just the way it needed to happen for you to get here; you are EXACTLY where you need to be. And where you are, is on a pathway of Growth, changing and evolving. You are on a beautiful Journey of Transformation; go for it!!Button -
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Our goal is to inspire change. Mind Yr Life was created to facilitate conversations and the sharing of information in efforts to improve our lives and those of others. We use knowledge, experience, trust and kindness to dismantle misconception, feelings of powerlessness, stigma, and isolation. Want to be part of the change? Join our private Facebook community to get in on the conversation! Link in bio 💙Button -
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“I’m not a psychiatrist and then Luisa. I’m not a psychiatrist by chance. I am both and both are part of the same and altogether me.” -Dr. Luisa SanzButton -
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Believe in yourself to dig out your talent and gift the world with it.Button -
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We are here for you, always. You are accepted, you are understood, you are loved, and you are so very important. Say it with us!Button -
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“A goal is anything that we aim for or want to change. When we’re setting goals and imagining those changes, one would expect that they will improve our quality of life or be beneficial somehow. So, most goals are positive in nature, either in the short term, long term, or both. Sometimes reaching one’s goals seems very difficult, and in the short term it can appear to make life harder or more of a struggle, but in the longer term, they provide a real benefit.” -Dr. Luisa SanzButton -
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Don’t forget to enter our contest to win your own daily well being journal by Dr. Luisa Sanz. See our “Contest” highlight for details!Button -
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We want to hear from you! Either in the comments or via DM, describe your “happy place.” Where is it? What does it feel like? Why does it make you happy? Let’s spread joy!Button -
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“Happiness is achievable for all of us, but some of us are born with a more positive outlook which makes our journey much easier; whereas some others have a more negative predisposition and so need to make a greater effort in achieving little goals to ultimately achieve the greatest goal of happiness.” - Dr. Luisa Sanz. To learn more about the relationship between goals and happiness, link in bio!Button -
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Mind Yr Life was created to facilitate conversations and the sharing of information in efforts to improve our lives and those of others. We use information, knowledge, experience, trust and kindness to dismantle misconception, feelings of powerlessness, stigma, and isolation. Through Life, we’ve all had experiences with mental health problems either directly ourselves or indirectly through a family member or a friend. We’re all vulnerable to suffering from a mental disorder at some point through our lives either because we’re genetically predisposed or in response to a life change or crisis. We all need to drop guards and barriers so that through raw, open and honest discussions about mental health, we can normalize all experiences taking a proactive approach to increasing the health and happiness of our community. When we understand, accept, and celebrate ourselves, we offer others the opportunity to do the same. This ongoing conversation is aimed at raising awareness and learning together that each of our own mental health troubles, whilst being unique, have many common aspects to those of many others. And by sharing these, we support each other and become empowered to be the best version of ourselves. Our arms and hearts are open to accept and celebrate you exactly as you are, today and every day. Let’s work together to inspire personal growth and transformation to become the best that we can as we aim towards health and happiness.Button -
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Our well being journal includes 10 weeks of daily pages as well as weekly planning and review pages and a whole lot more. This journal is a practical tool to materialize changes for ANYONE who wants to improve the quality of their lives and become happier. If you're ready to commit to yourself and elevate your day to day life, get yours now! Be sure to enter our contest for a chance to win your own!Button -
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This platform is a living, decentralized hub for the giving and receiving of support while we navigate the multi-faceted world of mental health together. We’re here to motivate and inspire transformation whilst learning through the sharing of information and love with everyone and anyone who’d like to join the conversation. It all starts and ends with love.Button -
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*CONTEST ALERT* We are giving away one “daily well being journal” and we want you to have the chance to win! Here’s how you enter: -Follow us on Instagram -Tag your friends in the comments (one entry per tag) -Extra entries for anyone who shares this post on their story and tags Mind Yr Life. We can’t wait to get this special tool in your hands! Good luck and much love. Winner will be announced on May 4th.Button -
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A day in New York featuring our daily wellbeing journal. If you’d like to get your own, hit the link in our bio!Button -
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We want to hear what you’re manifesting right now! What is something you want to become a reality in your life? What are you reaching for? While great things take time, the journey can be so very beautiful.Button -
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In one of the conversations with my brother right before he died, he said “Luisa, I can’t die just yet, I’ve got so much to do still.” And I remember saying to him, “Antonio, you don’t know how much you’ve already achieved. I think you came for a purpose, and you’ve mastered it.” He mastered his life purpose but I believe Antonio’s long term mission has only just started. Mind Yr Life is Antonio’s legacy; Antonio, we’ve got a big job to do! Link in bio for the full story!Button -
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Some things might feel impossible, but that’s simply not the case when you’ve got a community of support around you. Mind Yr Life is your community, here you are welcomed and loved. You are so capable and so inspiring, and while you may forget that from time to time, we sure won’t!Button -
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BIG NEWS! Today We are so pleased to introduce “My Journal, MYLife” your guided well being journal. It will support you in achieving the changes you set off to make in your life whilst, effortlessly, you’ll also be changing your outlook towards a more positive one which will ultimately lead you to a more fulfilling, happier life. This journal was written and developed by Dr. Luisa Sanz. You'll find space for reflection, introspection, learning, and growth. This is a springboard to becoming a better version of yourself through proving your inner strength and so achieving a deeper self-understanding and a greater sense of purpose. You can officially get yours NOW! Link in bio.Button -
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“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” —Audrey HepburnButton -
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We are here for you. All that we do at Mind Yr Life is with you in mind and we have something exciting launching soon. Keep your eyes open. You’re going to love this!Button -
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At Mind Yr Life, we believe that struggles and strengths exist together. Everyone has their struggles, some more than others, but with struggles come strengths and those deserve just as much attention. Today we challenge you to focus on your strengths, write them down, and give yourself some credit. You deserve it!Button -
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We have something special launching next week! Any guesses?Button -
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We have big news coming next week and we can’t wait to share it with you! Take a peek at the background for a hint.Button -
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Dr. Luisa Sanz, founder of Mind Yr Life, grew up as the sixth of eight children in a low-income family living in a three-bedroom home. Her two brothers were both diagnosed with schizophrenia. Most of her early childhood and adolescence were draped in fear and violence. Decades later, Luisa’s eldest brother, Antonio has recently passed away after an unfortunate succession of medical complications including covid which ended his life whist putting up a fair fight to lung cancer. Antonio’s story has influenced so much of Luisa’s work and, in turn, given her clarity and vision in her life’s purpose. While she and her family struggled gravely, often at hands of Antonio, his struggles were immense and all-encompassing, as well. He was judged, rejected by his peers and by the professionals who were supposed to support him, and made to think of himself as worthless. While Luisa and her family lived in fear, he did too. As it turned out, many of their demons were one and the same. Read the full story now - Link in bio!Button -
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One of the key pillars of Mind Yr Life is our interviews. The interviews work to normalize various mental health journeys and struggles, to break down stigma and show everyone that they are never alone. These interviews collect the voices of people who have generously and courageously shared their experiences with mental health difficulties or their experiences caring for or loving someone who is facing difficulties. If you’re looking to gain a little bit of perspective, find inspiration, or look at mental health through a new lens, click the link in our bio to read our latest interviews!Button -
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“People who are hurting don't need Avoiders, Protectors, or Fixers. What we need are patient, loving witnesses. People to sit quietly and hold space for us. People to stand in helpful vigil to our pain.” ― Glennon Doyle MeltonButton -
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You didn’t come this far to only come this far. Look at how far you’ve come? We encourage you to look through a lens of abundance. Look at how much love and happiness exists in the world, how much possibility, and how much light. Now, what is holding you back from reaching out and grabbing some of that abundance for yourself?Button -
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I’m so pleased to finally share this story with you. Link in bio!Button -
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An excerpt from our latest interview with Dr. Luisa Sanz. Link in bio for the full interview!Button -
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“I’m so incredibly grateful to my brother, talking about forgiving him is so irrelevant now because he's so forgiven! In fact, there's nothing to forgive. There's only gratitude for him. I'm so grateful that he helped me learn such amazing important lessons in life, he helped me evolve. He made me understand and learn lessons that are so important about caring and accepting; accepting is the one word that is so important for me, accepting without judgment. If it hadn't been for him, I wouldn’t have learned those lessons and I would not be able to do what I'm doing. In one of the conversations with my brother right before he died, he said “Luisa, I can’t die just yet, I’ve got so much to do still.” And I remember saying to him, “Antonio, you don’t know how much you’ve already achieved. I think you came for a purpose, and you’ve mastered it.” He mastered his life purpose but I believe Antonio’s long term mission has only just started. Mind Yr Life is Antonio’s legacy; Antonio, we’ve got a big job to do!” Dr. Luisa speaks about her life and her journey living with a brother who suffered from schizophrenia. For the full story, click the link in our bio!Button -
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So much of human suffering is rooted in fear. Fear of judgment, fear of isolation, and fear of not being loved. Love is truly the only remedy and that includes having love for oneself. Be soft and kind with yourself, give yourself space to breathe and grow, love yourself so loud and proud that you teach others how to love you, too.Button -
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📣BIG NEWS📣 Our latest interview is up on the blog and this one is extremely important and close to our hearts. For this story, we interviewed our founder, Dr. Luisa Sanz about her brother, Antonio. Antonio passed away recently after living with schizophrenia since the age of 17. Dr. Sanz speaks about the impact of Antonio’s illness on her family and also sheds light on the harsh impact that societal stigma had on Antonio. This is a story of hardship, fear, and immense struggle. But more than that, it is a story of unconditional love, compassion, and hope. This interview illustrates the very foundation of Mind Yr Life and we are so pleased to share it with all of you. You are invited to read the interview or watch the video. Link in bio!Button -
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Today we want to encourage you to acknowledge and celebrate where you are at, how far you’ve come, and all of the possibilities unfolding around you. It’s okay to feel lost, it’s okay to feel stuck, but you deserve celebration and recognition for where you stand right now. You’re not lost, you’re here, and we’re so glad to have you.Button -
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To struggle with your mental health is burdensome on its own, but ways in which the rest of society position themselves around your struggles have the power to either add to or ease that burden. Our aim is to change the conversation surrounding mental health and, in turn, replace judgment for compassion and isolation for community.Button -
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Dr. Luisa Sanz’s brother, Antonio, lived with schizophrenia since the age of 17. He passed away recently, but not before sharing a message to society on behalf of people struggling with mental illness. He has a message for society: “one day, you’ll understand too but, in the meantime, just try being that little bit more caring and that little bit less judging.” To read more about Antonio’s life and his journey with schizophrenia, join our mailing list. Link in bio!Button -
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Happy International Women’s Day to women everywhere. Here’s to you, your strength, your softness. With so much love and gratitude, you deserve to be celebrated.Button -
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Let’s uplift one another through kindness, compassion, love, and respect. Let’s also protect ourselves from those who bring us down. Life is a Gift; it’s time we live it as such.Button -
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A message from my brother Antonio who lived with schizophrenia. ❤️Button -
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Our platform is a hub for anyone wishing to offer or in need of support, to those navigating the multi-faceted world of mental health. If you'd like to join the community, we encourage you to join our private Facebook group, follow along on social media, and keep up with our content so you can add your voice to the conversation, too. Link in bio!Button -
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A message for anyone who’s struggling with their mental health. ❤️Button -
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Do you have any questions for Dr.Luisa Sanz about her background, about Mind Yr Life, or about the right approach to mental health? We’d love to hear from you. Send us a DM!Button -
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Yes or no? What happens if you don’t? How does this affect your life? How does it affect those you love? Can you give the best of yourself when you’re not at your best? Comment below!Button -
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Today we challenge you to take a step back and try to look at your life as an observer, from a much wider perspective. It won’t be easy but try and find as many different viewpoints as possible… Which are right and which are wrong? Perhaps they’re all right… only the perspective changes. What does that tell you about how you experience the things that happen in your life? Would it be worth trying to experience them differently? Would this make life easier, happier?Button -
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Mind Yr Life is a platform that seeks to build community, make connections, and start conversations that promote the destigmatization of mental health struggles and make everyone feel seen, heard, and supported. Mind Yr Life was founded by Dr. Luisa Sanz, Consultant Psychiatrist, and she has built this space with you in mind. Whether you’re struggling with your mental health or you’re supporting someone who is, this is your community.Button -
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We can’t wait to share this with you. Join our mailing list for the full interview. Link in bio!Button -
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If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies. Change is Challenging and so it tends to be resisted; today we invite you to Embrace Change as it is through change that we Grow and Evolve. It is Change that leads to the Achievement of the Greatest things in life. Don’t be afraid of Change… Dare it!Button -
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Dr. Luisa Sanz grew up with two brothers who suffered from schizophrenia. Her childhood and adolescence were filled with violence and fear, but it also inspired her to pursue her career as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. Now, Dr. Sanz is sharing the story of her eldest brother, Antonio, who has recently passed away. Full story coming soon, join her mailing list to hear it first - link in bio!Button -
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Dr. Luisa Sanz started Mind Yr Life for the purpose of eradicating stigma surrounding mental health and advocating for people with mental health struggles. We’d like to take the opportunity to thank you all for being here and for following along on this journey. We have big things coming and we want you to be the first to know, join our mailing list for details. Link in bio!Button -
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Sharing my brother’s story. Join the mailing list for the full interview when it drops. Link in bio!Button -
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You are deserving of self-love and self-care. If you’re looking for community or in need of support, we invite you to join the Mind Yr Life Community, a private Facebook group created with you in mind. Link in bio!Button -
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I started Mind Yr Life for many reasons, but a significant one of those reasons is my brother, Antonio, who passed away a couple of weeks ago; such has been a challenging experience for myself and my family, as I’m certain many of you will relate to. He lived with schizophrenia for most of his life, beginning in his adolescence. His illness and its consequences brought great hardship and struggle to his life and to all of us in the family, but it also offered endless lessons, growth opportunities, and new perspectives. I believe that Antonio's purpose was both to help others with mental health struggles by spreading awareness and eradicating stigma as well as to inspire compassion in all. With that in mind, and inviting you to open your hearts, I am pleased to share Antonio's story: one filled with incredibly difficult battles but where each and everyone of those led to incredibly rewarding lessons. Here is a little preview, follow along for the full story coming soon!Button -
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All of life’s greatest gifts are completely free of charge. We challenge you to offer someone a smile today and see what happens… you’ll learn that not only does it make that person’s day nicer but it also makes you feel better! Just a smile, that easy!Button -
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Mind Yr Life was created with You in Mind. This is your invitation to let go of any judgement you place upon yourself or others and simply accept without assuming but with an open, loving heart, to celebrate where you are today and where you want to go, and to step out of your own way onto the path journey to acceptance, purpose and happiness. Mind Yr Life is the beginning of an incredible journey of World Transformation and we love that you’re part of it from the beginning… so glad you’re here with us now!Button -
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Dr. Luisa Sanz invites you to join the conversation that is transforming our lives, join the movement that is leading towards healthier and happier lives by improving your wellbeing and the one of those around you. This is where we ALL come together, in the sharing of learning, experiences and kindness as well as in, firstly, admitting that we are all in the spectrum of mental health whether some acknowledge it or not, and so we need to become more accepting and loving of ourselves and others; and secondly, that we are also all in this world searching for the same… meaning, purpose, happiness which is much easier to find than most of us think, yet we won’t do if we don’t get the first bit right. Join our mailing list now to be the first to hear about a big upcoming announcement. Trust us, you’re going to like this. Link in bio!Button -
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We know it’s hard. Keep going. Remind yourself of what makes the effort worth it and continue to move forwards, even if slowly.Button -
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Let’s talk about mobilization. With the new year upon us, many of us have set goals and intentions for the year ahead. Goal setting is a powerful practice, but following through can be difficult. It’s time to act! Comment one thing, big or small, that you are going to do this week to show yourself some love.Button -
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Raise your hand if you’re ready to prioritize yourself this year!Button -
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Let’s grow together. Our platform is a hub for anyone wishing to offer or in need of support, to those navigating the multi-faceted world of mental health. If you'd like to join the community, we encourage you to join our private Facebook group, follow along via our newsletter, and keep up with our content so you can add your voice to the conversation, too. Link in bio to join in!Button -
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We believe that one of the most transformative experiences in one's life, particularly when it comes to mental health, is listening. Here we are sharing stories, information, and conversation topics to build community, offer perspective, and remind you that you are not alone. If you’d like to listen to the stories of those who have had intimate experiences with mental health struggles, visit our blog. Link in bio.Button -
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Through Life, we’ve all had experiences with mental health problems either directly ourselves or indirectly through a family member or a friend. We’re all vulnerable to suffering from a mental disorder at some point through our lives either because we’re genetically predisposed or in response to a life change or crisis. We all need to drop guards and barriers so that through raw, open and honest discussions about mental health, we can normalize all experiences by taking a proactive approach to increasing the health and happiness of our community.Button -
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BIG NEWS! We’ve just launched the Mind Yr Life Community - This private Facebook group is a place where we can all share experiences, perspectives, struggles, triumphs, inspiration, information, and so much more. Here we will support one another, listen, and nurture this safe space so everyone can be their most authentic selves. Dr. Sanz will be sharing conversation prompts, anecdotes, teachings, and more and we invite you to do the same. - Link in bio to join!Button -
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The "Yr" represents "Your" but it also represents "Your Responsibility." After all, your purpose and your happiness are ultimately your responsibility. This platform exists to give you the tools and perspectives to take that responsibility and build the beautiful, fulfilling life that you deserve. Visit our website to learn more about what we do and get involved.Button -
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“The first hurdle anyone with mental health problems needs to overcome is themselves, their own lack of self-belief and negative assumptions. This is, indeed, the hardest hurdle to conquer,” said Dr. Luisa Sanz.Button -
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Our arms and hearts are open to accept and celebrate you exactly as you are, today and every day. Let’s work together to inspire personal growth and transformation to become the best that we can as we aim towards health and happiness. Stay tuned for our private Facebook group where you can join the discussion!Button -
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“Dr. Sanz is something else. A psychiatrist in a league of her own.” - Josephine, Patient's motherButton -
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To Mind something is to regard it as important, to care for it and look after it. We approach mental health holistically, placing equal importance on the mind, body, and soul. Through our wider approach, we recognize that the mind, body, and soul are profoundly linked together forming a unit. When we neglect one of these three parts, the whole unit loses balance and doesn’t perform optimally. Imbalances can lead to emotional distress and mental health concerns, physical health problems or a sense of emptiness and overall unhappiness. The three pillars of health and happiness work together beautifully and delicately. When approaching mental health, whether it be our own or someone else’s, it’s important to understand each pillar and regard it with respect and care. The first step in Minding Yr Life is acknowledging and accepting where you are at right now – mind, body, and soul. And whilst it’s essential not to forget that these are both 3 parts and yet 1 unit, the Mind is particularly relevant in Mind Yr Life as we focus on Mental Health and aim to improve our knowledge and understanding in order to eradicate stigma.Button -
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Be authentically “you” and everything else will unfold with ease.Button -
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The future is unfolding with every passing second. It’s time to look forward. If you want to invite happiness and healing into your 2022, the work starts now and while it may be difficult, the outcome will be amazing. Welcome the Challenge and Join our mailing list for tools, tips, and valuable information to support you on your path to happiness and purpose. Link in bio!Button -
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This is where the real work lies. Loving and accepting oneself is the biggest and most important part of the journey.Button -
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We want to get to know you! What do you want to invite more of in your life in 2022? Comment below.Button -
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We are working on a ton of captivating new interviews, launches, and content especially for anyone that craves a change or wants to make a difference. If you want exclusive content and first access to everything we do, join our mailing list. Together we can eradicate Stigma on Mental Health, and that’s such a worthy goal! Link in bio!Button
