Category Archives: MENTAL HEALTH

My first ever OCD talk at Staffordshire University, what a rewarding day

Posted on July 2, 2025 by SCARFMAN

One of the best days of my life It is not hyperbole to state that May 15th, 2025, was one of the best days of my life so far. This was the day I gave my first ever OCD talk … Continue reading →

Posted in ANXIETY, EMOTION, HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, TRUE STORIES, Uncategorized | Tagged 2025, alex preston, anxiety, CBT, Dr Sarah Watts, EDUCATION, EMPATHY, may 15th, mental health, midlands, Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD, post grad diploma, POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN CBT, PSYCHOLOGY, public speaking, rewarding, STAFFORDSHIRE, staffordshire University, trainees, writing | Leave a comment

A brave new world as a lived experience expert at Keele and Staffordshire Universities

Posted on July 2, 2025 by SCARFMAN

A new lived experience expert Monday, March 10th, 2025, a day that will be etched in my memory till the end of my days. You see, this was my first day working in the field of mental health, namely as … Continue reading →

Posted in ANXIETY, EMOTION, HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, OCD, TRUE STORIES, Uncategorized | Tagged 2025, alex preston, anxiety, blog, BLOGGING, CONTAMINATION, CONTAMINATION OCD, DEPRESSION, Dr Sarah Watts, Health, keele, Keele University, LIVED EXPERIENCE EXPERT, March 10th, mental health, Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, NHS, OCD, post grad diploma, rewarding, roleplays, staffordshire University, THERAPY | 1 Comment

Finally cracking my hellish pelvic pain case, with exercises and pelvic floor relaxation

Posted on February 26, 2025 by SCARFMAN

Just as I was starting to think my old chronic pelvic pain problem was a thing I needed to completely forget about, wham, it came back and hit me where it hurts last December time. Step forward my specialist pelvic … Continue reading →

Posted in ANXIETY, EMOTION, mens health, MENTAL HEALTH, TRUE STORIES, Uncategorized | Tagged CHRONIC ILLNESS, CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN, fight-or-flight, Health, HOPE, pain, pelvic floor exercises, PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES, pelvic floor relaxation, pelvic trigger point release, physio, physiotherapy, PROSTATITIS, tension in the body | Leave a comment

Super Starsailor, meant an OCD triumph

Posted on February 17, 2025 by SCARFMAN

Just over a decade ago, I no longer wanted to be here due to my severe contamination OCD. Fast-forward to Saturday, 15 February 2025, where I saw Starsailor at The Tung Auditorium in Liverpool. It’s proof at how far I … Continue reading →

Posted in ANXIETY, EMOTION, MENTAL HEALTH, OCD, POPULAR CULTURE | Tagged anxiety, EXPOSURE, LIVERPOOL, Liverpool University, Love is Here, MUSIC, obsessive complusive disorder, OCD, OCD TRIUMPH, RECOVERY, Starsailor, strings, The Tung Auditorium | Leave a comment

My OCD has improved so much, but how do I get over my health anxiety?

Posted on February 1, 2025 by SCARFMAN

Last Tuesday, for once in my life I received good health news. My sore fingers are just chilblains the doctor said. What if he is wrong though, because they have been in the past? My health record I am scared … Continue reading →

Posted in ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, HEALTH, mens health, MENTAL HEALTH, TRUE STORIES, Uncategorized | Tagged anxiety, GOOD NEWS, Health, Health anxiety, illness anxiety, mental health, OCD, TRAUMA, traumatised | Leave a comment

Have you heard the news today? My type 1 diabetes is A-OK

Posted on January 17, 2025 by SCARFMAN

A blog that celebrates my great self-care of my type 1 diabetes. Unexpected news ‘I am ringing-up about your diabetes’, said my diabetic nurse to me at around 10.30am today. I took a big gulp and braced myself for the … Continue reading →

Posted in DIABETES, EMOTION, HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, TRUE STORIES, Uncategorized | Tagged 17 years old, 48 years old, AndyScarfmanLloydblog, autoimmune, DIABETES, DIABETES CARE, diabetes type 1, DIABETIC, DIET, FIGHT, FREESTYLE LIBRE 2 SENSOR, good control, Health, mental health, nutrition, physical health, prisoner, self-care, TYPE 1 DIABETES, wellness | Leave a comment

Initial utter devastation at my new prostate illness prostatitis, but this time I fight back

Posted on January 17, 2025 by SCARFMAN

A blog about the trauma of getting prostatitis again, but how I am determined not to let it ruin everything this time around. Panic At age 48, my whole world came crashing down around me just before last Christmas time. … Continue reading →

Posted in ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, EMOTION, HEALTH, mens health, MENTAL HEALTH, Uncategorized | Tagged BLADDER, burning pelvis, cancer, CHRONIC BACTERIAL PROSTATITIS, DEPRESSION, fight back, Health, infection, MALE HEALTH, MENS HEALTH, NIGHTMARE, panic, PELVIC FLOOR, PROSTATE, PROSTATE CANCER, PROSTATITIS, spasm, taboo illness, urology | Leave a comment

INTERMEZZO by Sally Rooney – A review – 4/5

Posted on December 31, 2024 by SCARFMAN

Intense grief, brotherhood, and sex Intermezzo, the fourth novel by critically acclaimed Irish author Sally Rooney, is an absolute triumph that explores the impact of grief, family conflict, and unconventional relationships. Having never read a novel by Sally Rooney before, … Continue reading →

Posted in BOOK REVIEWS, grief, MENTAL HEALTH, POPULAR CULTURE, THE ARTS, Uncategorized | Tagged A REVIEW, BOOK, BOOK REVIEW, book reviews, books, brotherhood, chess, death, Dublin, Family, fiction, Grief, Intermezzo, irish author, Ivan Koubek, LITERARY REVIEW, Normal People, Peter Koubek, polygamy, relationships, Sally Rooney, SEX | Leave a comment

Sea, sunshine, seagulls and … Sneaton Castle, a triumphant OCD story in Whitby

Posted on September 21, 2024 by SCARFMAN

Last week I went on my first holiday in over thirty years. This was a huge achievement for me because I once suffered from severe contamination OCD. I broke from the shackles of this debilitating illness and proved to everybody … Continue reading →

Posted in ANXIETY, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, mens health, MENTAL HEALTH, OCD, Uncategorized | Tagged anxiety, Autumn Holiday, CBT, Distraction techniques, ENGLAND FOOTBALL CAPTAIN, Family, friendship, Holiday, HOLIDAY RESORT, meal out, mental health, North Yorkshire, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD, PHOBIAS, Port, Scarborough, sea, SEAGULLS, Seaside town, Sneaton Castle, Summer Holiday, SUNSHINE, Whitby, YORKSHIRE | 2 Comments

WHY ME?

Posted on May 24, 2024 by SCARFMAN

Why me? I’m nervous about writing this blog. I guess I’m nervous because there’s so much I want to say to you all, but I’m not sure how. I’m lying, I do know how, but it’s been that long since … Continue reading →

Posted in ANXIETY, EMOTION, mens health, MENTAL HEALTH, OCD, Uncategorized | Tagged DEPRESSION, LONELY, mental health, NOROVIRUS, OCD | 4 Comments

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