Your stories

I have three beautiful children, two of whom are autistic. Our journey with multiple autistic children has certainly had its challenges. And it’s only now, four years after diagnosis and six years after the first referral, that I am beginning to see a positive change in our family dynamics. Lola is eight and is diagnosed with autism, with a demand avoidant profile - we call it...

Louise Thompson, known for the glamour and glitz of Made in Chelsea, is more than meets the eye. In this honest interview with Happiful, Louise opens up for the first time about her battles with anxiety, depression, codependency and what was a self-destructive drinking streak. Louise, now 27, has been in the public eye for the majority of her adult life. Joining BAFTA-winning reality show Made...

I was a member of a local church group when things had been a bit strained and I became very stressed. I was struggling at home after my husband had been ill and I was feeling unsupported by people who made out to be friends. I left the church and became very depressed having been stuck in a deep depression, and unable to carry on. I went to my GP who gave me some tablets as a crutch, and I...

I was offered counselling through an NE charity and, happily, I took up this opportunity. I saw a fab counsellor called Jenny for pretty much a year. She listened and empathised with me. I find it very hard to trust people and to let people in and it took a long time before I fully opened up in session. This is the only thing I regret about my experience of counselling - I wish I'd opened up...

I was abused by my father when I was a child. It was only with the encouragement of my therapist that I was able to face the issues that has raised in adult life - depression, anxiety, low self esteem etc. It takes time to find a therapist who is right for you - it took me three attempts to find the right person! Now I finally have someone to tell things to that I feel I don't want to share with...

I remember the anxiety and self-doubt I used to experience, before receiving counselling. I used to feel so much concern about what other people thought of me. I spent too much of my time worrying and over-thinking.  "Does so and so really like me or not?...Does my boyfriend really love me?... What have I really got going for me?...." And on and on it went. As I write this, I feel I am...