Sharon is someone who finds creativity in everyday life. Art has always been a big part of who she is, from painting and creating to supporting others to express themselves. She volunteers at a community arts group, helping to bring people together in a safe, inclusive space. Sharon lives with complex emotional needs (CEN), but that is only one part of her story.
For Sharon, her mental health has never been easy to define. “It’s confusing,” she explains. “It can feel like you don’t quite fit within yourself, never mind the world around you.”
For many years, she had a sense that something felt different but couldn’t explain why. It wasn’t until repeated experiences and patterns began to emerge that she started to realise something deeper was going on.
Sharon first reached out for support in 2001, but it took over two decades before she received a clear diagnosis. “I didn’t fit into any box,” she says. “It took a long time to understand what was really happening.”
When she finally received her diagnosis, it brought a sense of clarity rather than fear. It helped her understand why she had felt confused about her identity and why her emotions could feel so overwhelming and changeable.
She describes living with CEN as an ongoing experience of emotional intensity. On good days, her mood feels steady and manageable. On harder days, everything can feel unpredictable, with emotions rising and falling quickly, leaving her exhausted and overwhelmed. At times in the past, she struggled with self-harm, particularly during periods when she felt at her lowest, although with the right support, this has become more manageable over time.
The impact on everyday life has been significant. Sharon explains that her mental health affects everything, including relationships, work, and social interactions. She said: “You’re constantly questioning yourself. Wondering if you’ve said the right thing, replaying conversations over and over.”
Accessing support hasn’t always been easy. Early on, stigma made it difficult to speak openly, especially in the workplace. “There was fear about what people would think,” she recalls, reflecting on how attitudes have changed over time but recognising that stigma still exists today.
Sharon also highlights how language can shape understanding of a diagnosis. Terms like ‘borderline’ or “unstable” can carry negative assumptions and make people feel judged or misunderstood. “The label doesn’t always help,” she says. “It can create more confusion or fear than understanding.”
For her, the term complex emotional needs feels more person-centred, but she believes there is still work to do to ensure language reduces stigma rather than reinforces it.
Over time, Sharon has found what works for her. While traditional therapies helped to some extent, she found practical, ongoing support through a health and wellbeing coach to be a turning point. “That practical help made the biggest difference,” she explains. Art has also played a vital role in her recovery. It provides a way to process thoughts, find calm, and connect with others. Through her community work, she now creates spaces where people can express themselves without judgement. “You never know what someone else is going through,” she says. “It’s about compassion.”
Today, Sharon has a very different relationship with her mental health. Understanding her condition has helped her make sense of her experiences and recognise patterns. She is now able to explain it to others and advocate for herself in a way she couldn’t before. She is most proud of how she has used her experiences to support others.
From working with medical students to running inclusive art sessions in her community, she is helping to challenge stigma and create understanding.
Her message to others is clear: “Don’t be afraid. Give yourself time to understand what’s happening. You’re not alone, and things can make more sense with the right support.” For Sharon, one of the most important things is connection. “Finding someone else who’s got it is an absolute bonus,” she says. “You don’t feel like you’re the only one.”
Sharon’s story is a reminder that a diagnosis does not define a person. Behind every label is a whole life, full of experiences, strengths, and potential. And with the right support, it is possible to move forward and find your own way.
