My husband is from Devon and we've watched quite a few of your videos about the west country (and have learned quite a lot already). I was just telling my husband: "this guy is really knowledgable on all sorts of things and puts a lot of effort into his videos." But now that I've stumbled on this video and am hearing more about your struggles, I must say that I am truly touched by your story. Thank you for the videos you make but also for sharing your story. It's a bit comforting hearing that even somebody as intelligent as you has had some of the struggles you've mentioned... Will be tuning into your channel good sir.
Thank you - that's very kind of you. Yes, this was the first of the two videos that I have made so far about mental health. What I have found troubling since making this video some two years ago now, is how much more widespread mental health has deteriorated across the wider population - it seems to indicate, not an illness, nor a disability, but a much greater mailaise within human society - as if our current lifestyles are simply not healthy for our brains. The speed, the noise, the lack of real local connections. Something has changed for worse, I feel. It is very sad. On an upnote, some two years later after making this video, having my photography and TH-cam Channel as my sole focus has saved me, and I am very thankful and grateful for still being here. Thanks for watching and commenting - it is very much appreciated. Take care, Paul
Hello Paul. I just wanted to say how much I appreciated your bravery in being so honest and informative about your autism and mental health issues. I have struggled with depression and anxiety often in my life including being admitted to one of the old institutions for a while back in the early 1990's. I am a great advocate of being open with people about it. I really enjoy your videos, particularly those about the Stroudwater and Thames and Severn canals. Thanks for all your work. Cheers, Fee in Bristol
Hello Fee, that's very kind of you to say so. Yes, being open about mental health definitely helps both the person struggling and wider society. I do feel things are improving, but I also still think we have a long way to go, particularly with acute service provision and access to talking therapies. There is still much to do with knowledge of autism amongst the wider population, and, in fact, that was one of the main reasons I decided to start my YT channel. Thank you for sharing and commenting 👍😊 greatly appreciated. I will be doing another MH & autism focused video in the not too distant future. Regards, Paul.
Bless you for your honesty in this vlog. My Mum suffered a "mental breakdown" which I remember well & I have suffered depression & anxiety. I hope you are able to heed your advise & look after yourself.
Thank you faith. I realise that this video is not an easy watch, and nothing like other content that I do. It could also be triggering for some, hence the warnings. I don't think mental health illness is something one ever truly recovers from fully. However, by taking each day at a time, and using carefully managed effective techniques (which will vary person to person) it is possible to survive, even, sometimes, occasionally, to enjoy life. Photography and producing Westcountry Wanderings are two of the most enjoyable things that I have ever done in my life. Thanks again for your kind words and comments. Take care, Paul 🙂👍
Thank you James. That is very kind of you. Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with you. I do hope to return to this topic in the future, which, although not the central core of what my channel is about, is one, I feel, which is important. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. Take care, Paul 🙂👍
Hi Paul, That was very brave of you to be so open and honest to the world. You are a very talented man and you demonstrate this to us all with all of your videos. I'm sure doing these videos, all your different themes I mean, is helpful for you, I can see that you get a lot of enjoyment out of doing them. Look after yourself. Good luck from Spain!!
Thank you David - I will continue to do occasional videos on the topic of autism and mental health. For one, I hope it gives my wonderful viewers an insight into the divergence from an autistic person's perspective. For another, more and more people are struggling with their mental health in these continuing troubling times - and I hope that they can take away some hints and tips to improve their own mental health. There is another one in this series which I filmed in the autumn of 2022, and I hope to do a third one this spring. Thanks again, take care, Paul.
I really enjoy your videos and I have been working my way back throuigh them. This one opened my mind. I know a couple of guys who suffer in different way with autism and because of your candid vlog I have a greater understanding. THANKS.
Hello Paul - greetings from Poland You're very brave and thank you for your honesty and sincereity. I worked with Jake who was 15/16 at the time during his later schooling days hwre in Warsaw. He had to have a full time assistant during his school day. His autism was quite bad at times. I was there to act as his crutch, I was good at it in managing his "melt downs", "screaming sessions" and depression. I am here for you at any time should you ever want to talk to me. I'm on Facebook and Skype if it helps. You can have my phone number with pleasure. I'm your friend - on a virtual basis maybe. But I'm here. I love your videos. They inspire me and help me by bringing English sunshine into my life. Thanks so much for that
Thank you for your kind words and understanding Michael. One of the difficulties with autism and with the understanding of the condition for people who do not have it, is that it is not a linear spectrum. There is no 'high functioning' or 'less abled', rather our abilities and capacities change through time points, depending on environmental and other factors. A non-verbal autistic person could have a PhD (some have) and an apparently more able autistic person can flounder in less obvious, but no less debilitating ways. I have had a book (well a long essay that I wrote in a published book) on this but have yet to do a video about it. Thanks again, take care, Paul 👍
Hi Paul a interesting video and thanks for sharing , life is tough ,depression can happen to anyone as i well know , but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel ,
Excellent video Paul! I can totally relate to a lot of what of what you say about the work place. I am extremely conscientious and hard working, but I struggle massively with over thinking, fast processing, over reacting and only able to focus on single jobs, not multiple jobs. I have had quite a few melt downs in work too. They get more frequent and more intense as I get older too and I am no longer the person I was in the work place when I was younger. I often have to chill in the car after work too! It’s really helpful to know that others have similar experiences. Thank you for doing this vlog!
Thank you Louise! Yes, as you can imagine, this was not an easy vlog to make, as it is unlike anything else on my channel, and it is a very personal story. However, like you say, I think others will be able to relate to it. A lot of it can relate to people in the workplace who aren't autistic too. I think that society has changed, and mental demands and stresses placed upon employees have increased greatly. I am thinking of doing another video like this one, but am unsure at the moment. I do enjoy doing TH-cam because any demands and deadlines I place are only my own, and I can go at my own speed when filming and editing, and not my bosses! Thank you very much for commenting on this - means a lot to me. Paul.
Thank you! ❤️ My daughter too also has autism, and a learning disability. We still have a way to go to change attitudes amongst the wider population, particularly with established institutions. Schools are one of the biggest problem areas. Perhaps I may talk about that in a future vlog. Thanks again, Paul.
Thank you so much for sharing your personal journey paul, a great insight of living with Autism and struggling with mental health. Sharing will hopefully help others I'm sure . I actually worked in an old institution in the early 80s and did indeed nurse women that had been put into the institute for having a baby out of wedlock and never got out. Also folk in for stealing and became institutionalised. I did however see lots of kindness and loving care which I loved . I'm glad they are closed however . Everyone deserves to be here and is important.
Thank you for sharing your story very insightful. We ve come a long way since those days of the "asylum" but still much more work needs to be done with support for mental health.
Thank you so much. Glad you found it interesting. Yes, when I was doing research I uncovered some horrific stories about what happened there during WW1 when staff moved away but patient numbers grew. There is a lot more information on the DCMA website - link in the notes above. Some of the treatments were primitive and barbaric too. However, it was a pioneering hospital too. Many patients were successfully treated and returned back to the community. Thanks again, Paul.
Hi Paul, well where to start so i will keep this short. i can relate to so many things that you have openly and honestly talked about on this Vlog. just want to say that Talking really does help and having the strength to film a very personal video like this one just goes to show your strength and will power! Now i know that you will think that comment strength and will power doesn't relate to you but it does Paul because you have got up got out there and filmed this very interesting Video and if your wondering if it will help others? then yes it most certainly will! Keep it up Paul i find all your Video's are great! and i know how much it helps you to cope and carry on with the Daily Grind. take care, best wishes Darren👌👍👍👍
Very moving vlog Paul. You are correct in saying that the pace of life these days, in particular the workplace, is causing a huge increase in stress-related illnesses. I follow a couple of TH-cam channels that talk incidentally (and openly) about struggles with mental health; There's Ian at HubNut and Colin at Foxes Afloat.
My husband is from Devon and we've watched quite a few of your videos about the west country (and have learned quite a lot already). I was just telling my husband: "this guy is really knowledgable on all sorts of things and puts a lot of effort into his videos." But now that I've stumbled on this video and am hearing more about your struggles, I must say that I am truly touched by your story. Thank you for the videos you make but also for sharing your story. It's a bit comforting hearing that even somebody as intelligent as you has had some of the struggles you've mentioned... Will be tuning into your channel good sir.
Thank you - that's very kind of you.
Yes, this was the first of the two videos that I have made so far about mental health.
What I have found troubling since making this video some two years ago now, is how much more widespread mental health has deteriorated across the wider population - it seems to indicate, not an illness, nor a disability, but a much greater mailaise within human society - as if our current lifestyles are simply not healthy for our brains. The speed, the noise, the lack of real local connections. Something has changed for worse, I feel. It is very sad.
On an upnote, some two years later after making this video, having my photography and TH-cam Channel as my sole focus has saved me, and I am very thankful and grateful for still being here.
Thanks for watching and commenting - it is very much appreciated.
Take care,
Paul
Hello Paul. I just wanted to say how much I appreciated your bravery in being so honest and informative about your autism and mental health issues. I have struggled with depression and anxiety often in my life including being admitted to one of the old institutions for a while back in the early 1990's. I am a great advocate of being open with people about it. I really enjoy your videos, particularly those about the Stroudwater and Thames and Severn canals. Thanks for all your work. Cheers, Fee in Bristol
Hello Fee, that's very kind of you to say so. Yes, being open about mental health definitely helps both the person struggling and wider society. I do feel things are improving, but I also still think we have a long way to go, particularly with acute service provision and access to talking therapies. There is still much to do with knowledge of autism amongst the wider population, and, in fact, that was one of the main reasons I decided to start my YT channel. Thank you for sharing and commenting 👍😊 greatly appreciated. I will be doing another MH & autism focused video in the not too distant future. Regards, Paul.
may God bless you, do take care
Thank you and thanks so much for watching my video. I do appreciate it. God Bless too. Paul.
Bless you for your honesty in this vlog. My Mum suffered a "mental breakdown" which I remember well & I have suffered depression & anxiety. I hope you are able to heed your advise & look after yourself.
Thank you faith. I realise that this video is not an easy watch, and nothing like other content that I do. It could also be triggering for some, hence the warnings. I don't think mental health illness is something one ever truly recovers from fully. However, by taking each day at a time, and using carefully managed effective techniques (which will vary person to person) it is possible to survive, even, sometimes, occasionally, to enjoy life. Photography and producing Westcountry Wanderings are two of the most enjoyable things that I have ever done in my life. Thanks again for your kind words and comments. Take care, Paul 🙂👍
Thanks for opening up on this Paul. A topic many can relate too but one which isn’t discussed widely enough.
Thank you James. That is very kind of you. Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with you. I do hope to return to this topic in the future, which, although not the central core of what my channel is about, is one, I feel, which is important. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. Take care, Paul 🙂👍
Hi Paul, That was very brave of you to be so open and honest to the world.
You are a very talented man and you demonstrate this to us all with all of your videos. I'm sure doing these videos, all your different themes I mean, is helpful for you, I can see that you get a lot of enjoyment out of doing them.
Look after yourself. Good luck from Spain!!
Thank you David - I will continue to do occasional videos on the topic of autism and mental health. For one, I hope it gives my wonderful viewers an insight into the divergence from an autistic person's perspective. For another, more and more people are struggling with their mental health in these continuing troubling times - and I hope that they can take away some hints and tips to improve their own mental health. There is another one in this series which I filmed in the autumn of 2022, and I hope to do a third one this spring. Thanks again, take care, Paul.
I really enjoy your videos and I have been working my way back throuigh them. This one opened my mind. I know a couple of guys who suffer in different way with autism and because of your candid vlog I have a greater understanding. THANKS.
Thank you Frank.
Glad you found useful.
Take care,
Paul
Hello Paul - greetings from Poland
You're very brave and thank you for your honesty and sincereity. I worked with Jake who was 15/16 at the time during his later schooling days hwre in Warsaw. He had to have a full time assistant during his school day. His autism was quite bad at times. I was there to act as his crutch, I was good at it in managing his "melt downs", "screaming sessions" and depression.
I am here for you at any time should you ever want to talk to me. I'm on Facebook and Skype if it helps. You can have my phone number with pleasure. I'm your friend - on a virtual basis maybe. But I'm here.
I love your videos. They inspire me and help me by bringing English sunshine into my life. Thanks so much for that
Thank you for your kind words and understanding Michael. One of the difficulties with autism and with the understanding of the condition for people who do not have it, is that it is not a linear spectrum. There is no 'high functioning' or 'less abled', rather our abilities and capacities change through time points, depending on environmental and other factors. A non-verbal autistic person could have a PhD (some have) and an apparently more able autistic person can flounder in less obvious, but no less debilitating ways. I have had a book (well a long essay that I wrote in a published book) on this but have yet to do a video about it. Thanks again, take care, Paul 👍
Hi Paul a interesting video and thanks for sharing , life is tough ,depression can happen to anyone as i well know , but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel ,
Thank you so much Roy!
Excellent video Paul! I can totally relate to a lot of what of what you say about the work place. I am extremely conscientious and hard working, but I struggle massively with over thinking, fast processing, over reacting and only able to focus on single jobs, not multiple jobs. I have had quite a few melt downs in work too. They get more frequent and more intense as I get older too and I am no longer the person I was in the work place when I was younger. I often have to chill in the car after work too! It’s really helpful to know that others have similar experiences. Thank you for doing this vlog!
Thank you Louise! Yes, as you can imagine, this was not an easy vlog to make, as it is unlike anything else on my channel, and it is a very personal story. However, like you say, I think others will be able to relate to it. A lot of it can relate to people in the workplace who aren't autistic too. I think that society has changed, and mental demands and stresses placed upon employees have increased greatly. I am thinking of doing another video like this one, but am unsure at the moment. I do enjoy doing TH-cam because any demands and deadlines I place are only my own, and I can go at my own speed when filming and editing, and not my bosses! Thank you very much for commenting on this - means a lot to me. Paul.
Thankyou very much,my oldest daughter who is 38 has aspergers,anouther lovely video,debs.thankyou.love it.
Thank you! ❤️ My daughter too also has autism, and a learning disability. We still have a way to go to change attitudes amongst the wider population, particularly with established institutions. Schools are one of the biggest problem areas. Perhaps I may talk about that in a future vlog. Thanks again, Paul.
Thank you so much for sharing your personal journey paul, a great insight of living with Autism and struggling with mental health.
Sharing will hopefully help others I'm sure .
I actually worked in an old institution in the early 80s and did indeed nurse women that had been put into the institute for having a baby out of wedlock and never got out.
Also folk in for stealing and became institutionalised.
I did however see lots of kindness and loving care which I loved .
I'm glad they are closed however .
Everyone deserves to be here and is important.
Thank you Wendy. I really appreciate your support.
Thank you for sharing your story very insightful. We ve come a long way since those days of the "asylum" but still much more work needs to be done with support for mental health.
Thank you so much. Glad you found it interesting. Yes, when I was doing research I uncovered some horrific stories about what happened there during WW1 when staff moved away but patient numbers grew. There is a lot more information on the DCMA website - link in the notes above. Some of the treatments were primitive and barbaric too. However, it was a pioneering hospital too. Many patients were successfully treated and returned back to the community. Thanks again, Paul.
Hi Paul, well where to start so i will keep this short. i can relate to so many things that you have openly and honestly talked about on this Vlog. just want to say that Talking really does help and having the strength to film a very personal video like this one just goes to show your strength and will power! Now i know that you will think that comment strength and will power doesn't relate to you but it does Paul because you have got up got out there and filmed this very interesting Video and if your wondering if it will help others? then yes it most certainly will! Keep it up Paul i find all your Video's are great! and i know how much it helps you to cope and carry on with the Daily Grind. take care, best wishes Darren👌👍👍👍
Thank you Darren - that's a really lovely and heartfelt comment.
Glad you found some commonality in it too.
Take care,
Paul
Very moving vlog Paul. You are correct in saying that the pace of life these days, in particular the workplace, is causing a huge increase in stress-related illnesses. I follow a couple of TH-cam channels that talk incidentally (and openly) about struggles with mental health; There's Ian at HubNut and Colin at Foxes Afloat.
Thank you Chris. Thanks for watching and your kind comments. Yes, I watch Foxes Afloat too - amazing scenery from Scotland. Kind Regards, Paul
Just down the road from me..
I feel sad you suffer like you do, I have several aspects like you.
Thank you Jon. Thanks for watching. Cheers, Paul 🙂👍