Dr Liz Miller has been at the sharp end of the journey from mental health prejudice to enlightenment.
A one-off, Liz Miller was the first woman in neurosurgery in the UK, a physician, campaigner, and writer noted for her outspoken mental health views and someone who has lived with bipolar disorder for much of her life.
Liz was sectioned three times but has come through to manage her condition without medication, relying on nutrition and psychological strategies she has developed from her research.
There is no doubt Liz has a unique view of the world of mental health from both the suffers and neurology perspectives.
Featuring in Stephen Fry's groundbreaking documentary, The secret life of a manic depressive, Liz played a part in the shift in perceptions and attitudes towards people suffering from depression and mental health issues.
In 2008 she was voted Mind Champion of the Year by public poll for her work in the Doctors Support Network, a support group for people in the medical profession with mental health challenges. Yes, mental disorders have no boundaries!
In our wide-ranging discussion, we talk about:
The neurology of depression
How despite being part of the medical profession how Liz suffered prejudice because of her Bipolar condition
Her experience working with Stephen Fry on the programme
The strategies and coping mechanisms she has developed and published, based on her mood mapping research.
And finally, Liz's advice to people living with mental health challenges.
I would like to thank The Alliance of Independent Agencies, who are partnering with Turning The Tables on this mini-series.
The Alliance are an organisation that take the mental health and wellbeing of people in agencies seriously. Their Wellbeing Action Group promotes the importance of creating safe environments and building people's resilience.
They even have an annual Festival of Happiness as well as promoting training for Mental First Aid Champions. If only every industry had this kind of support!
https://allindependentagencies.org/
You can contact Dr Liz Miller via email: [email protected]
Liz Miller book reference; Mood Mapping: Plot your way to emotional health and happiness
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Episode Credits
Editor and sound engineer: Tim White email: [email protected]
Host: Simon Ratcliffe
Music:
Broken Elegance -Unconditionally
River Meditation - Audioautix
When I'm gone LiQWYD
Scott Buckley - Life is
AB5 Piano strings - Tim White
