RACHEL Murnaghan's life changed forever after the separation of her parents.
She spiralled into manic depression and attempted to take her own life.
Having originally been deemed as schizophrenic, Rachel was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The 43-year-old says: "I had my first manic episode when I was 19 and it was clear that the break-up of my parents was the trigger.
"It was a very frightening experience; I became very manic and suicidal and it was like being on a speeding train.
"I didn't know what level of contact I would have with my father and that uncertainty caused problems."
Rachel's story did not improve after her first visit to hospital. The mother-of-one says: "On the first occasion, I took an overdose of 19 antihistamine but a few years later I took another overdose, of 30 paracetamol.
"I have been in hospital seven times now, including the two overdoses and several manic episodes."
One of the symptoms that most clearly defines sufferers of bipolar disorder is psychosis, which is most commonly defined as a loss of contact with reality and can take many forms.
Rachel describes her psychotic episodes with great clarity and is keen to make them understood by the wider public. She says: "During one episode, I was so manic that I actually accused a male nurse, who was looking after me, of sexually assaulting me.
"I was so unwell at the time that, in my psychosis, I believed it was true, even though it wasn't."
The former civil servant says there is an important message to be portrayed about psychosis. "The media like to pick up on people hearing voices, but this is only a small part of things.
"I would often see more positive things, like visualising beautiful paintings or hearing music.
"Psychosis isn't necessarily an overtly negative thing – people can have much less worrying experiences."
Rachel's life has moved on during her time in Nottingham for the past eight years or so.
After moving from Brighton, she lived in various places before settling at Church Drive, Daybrook.
Despite moving around a lot, she has found a sense of balance in her life.
"I give great credit to Nottingham psychiatric services. They have found a good medication blend that suits me.
"I also have regular visits to my psychiatrist and I have a personal assistant who visits every morning to take me shopping and such things.
"It provides motivation and someone to help rationalise things. If someone comes in a morning, you have a function for the day. The routine keeps me stable."
Rachel has tackled her problems head-on by volunteering at Nottingham Recovery College and Education Centre, in Mapperley. The centre is run by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and provides more than 50 courses for sufferers.
"People can learn about triggers and symptoms at the centre and they can learn to manage the illness themselves – it is so valuable," she says.
"Education is the new way of treating people."
Despite having struggled with her disorder, Rachel has a positive message.
"There is always hope," she says.
"You can have a rollercoaster ride of experience but even if you are in a down place, things will change, and you can make them better yourself as well.
"People must take responsibility for their illness – come to the recovery college and learn about your situation.
"People should volunteer as well – I've got a group of friends now and it's like having a large family. I get out there and get involved."
Nottingham's Mental Health Awareness Weeks began on October 5 and runs until Friday, with events each day across the county. Project chairman Rosemary Renouf says the aim was to co-ordinate a series of events which together promoted understanding of mental health issues in the community.
"It's important to lessen the stigma.
"Not so many years ago, 'cancer' was a word that no-one used and we are hoping that mental health will become similarly part of people's understanding. Only then will people get better support from the community.
"The overall goal of the week is to give a group of organisations a focus once a year so that together we can make a bigger impact.
"When we started 20 years ago, people with mental health conditions were very nervous about coming to events. Now people are willing and even proud that they are coping in the community."
To find out more about Nottingham's Mental Health Awareness Weeks, go to www.mhaw.org.uk.