If you think you are about to lose your mind, about to have a psychotic episode, panic attack looming or losing touch with reality please try these tips that I have tried and tested.

1) Touch your immediate surroundings. Look purposely around the room you are in, or go outside and look what there really is around you. Take your time to really take in the sights and sounds. Touch the table next to you, the fridge, the door, the book case. Remind yourself where you are and what the date and time is.

2) Self-talk, tell yourself that you are safe now. You are truly ok in the here and now.

3) Talk to a friend, talk to someone on the internet, come to Psych Central, share your fears, find friends.

4) Practice relaxation and breathing. When you feel like crap the breathing goes to pot. Place your hand on your stomach, breathe in 1-2, breathe out 1-2. Keep this going for at least 10 minutes.

5) Please know that you are not alone. There are other people just like you that understand. You are not going mad. You are human, one in four suffer from mental health problems.

With love, and I hope these tips help. Pegs X