Homereachomm2021-10-11T16:47:05+01:00

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Are you suffering from TSW and need advice on how to cope?

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Latest News

TSW Featured on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Bristol
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TSW Featured on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Bristol

hollyb.11@hotmail.co.uk2021-10-11T17:02:48+01:00October 11th, 2021|

MP Letter Guide
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MP Letter Guide

hollyb.11@hotmail.co.uk2021-07-06T14:10:39+01:00July 6th, 2021|

National Eczema Society Recognises TSW
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National Eczema Society Recognises TSW

hollyb.11@hotmail.co.uk2021-01-21T15:31:46+01:00January 21st, 2021|

Yellow Card Scheme
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Yellow Card Scheme

hollyb.11@hotmail.co.uk2021-03-19T13:22:27+01:00December 8th, 2020|

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BBC Bristol Live Interview about TSW. Holly talks

BBC Bristol Live Interview about TSW. Holly talks to James Hanson about TSW and Scratch That! Go to the link in our bio to hear the full interview at 2:38:56 - there is also another segment with a pre-recorded interview at 1:34:12

We did it!! Today MHRA has posted a new drug safet

We did it!! Today MHRA has posted a new drug safety update on the the risks of Topical Steroid Withdrawal reactions to Topical Steroid medication.

Although we still have a long way to go, this is such a tremendous step forward for the awareness of TSW in the UK and this has only been made possible due to the amount of Yellow Card submissions MRHA received. We all made this change happen!

Although our stories of our personal TSW journeys are harrowing, please know just by sharing yours you are able to help prevent TSW happening to others; today is a huge example of that.

Lots of love & cheers from the Scratch That team

World Suicide Prevention Day aims to raise awarene

World Suicide Prevention Day aims to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide. There are around 6000 deaths by suicide in the UK every year.

We know that going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal can be one of the most challenging things someone might go through. It is physically painful, emotionally draining and mentally testing. With no diagnosis, prognosis or medical support, it is common to feel alone or hopeless at times.

We carried out a survey back in May to get a sense of the impact of TSW on the mental health of people going through it (or who have been through it previously). From our survey (approx 450 responses) we found that during TSW:

96% had feelings of depression
97% had feelings of anxiety
~51% only had these since starting TSW
39% had sought help
23% had therapy of CBT
16% started taking antidepressants~
58% had suicidal thoughts
12% self harmed

It is normal to have moments of feeling low or fed up with the withdrawal process but you don’t have to suffer in silence. Reach out to those close to you if you can, or to others in the TSW community through Facebook and Instagram. If you think you are depressed and have felt that way for 2 weeks or more, see your GP. If you have thoughts of harming yourself or taking your own life, you can call the Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on 116 123.

TSW does not last forever and things will get better ❤️‍🩹

#wspd #wspd2021

Lauren, USA. 19+ Months TSW.  Youtube Channel: T

Lauren, USA. 19+ Months TSW. 
Youtube Channel: TSW Girl

TSW has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through. And yet while my self-esteem has been at its lowest, my physical appearance has been at its ugliest and abjectly repulsive, there has been beauty. Amid the hours of exfoliation and solitary confinement alone in the bathtub, there has been an exfoliation of my heart. A rough, painful exfoliation of small things I needed to experience happiness day-to-day—all getting painfully rubbed off. My ability to uplift and support others? Gone. My physical appearance? Gone. My eyesight? Mostly gone. My job? Gone. The ability to hold things with my hands. Give and receive hugs. Feed myself. Form a coherent sentence. All of this was stripped away. My raw skin on the outside mirrored the internal pain of being able to offer anyone I love anything but pain and overwhelming need. My life was a working tale of humility and lowliness every day.

But, life never ceases to have meaning. To coin a sentiment from Viktor Frankl (who survived four different concentration camps in Nazi Germany): even suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning. In his book Man’s Search for Meaning, he says, “Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfil the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual.”

So, my daily responsibility was to fulfil the tasks set before me. Get yourself out of bed every day. Try to get yourself as comfortable as you can. Try to eat. Continue to show kindness to everyone. Be patient with the situation. Stay sane as best as you can. Ask for help from God and others. Rinse and repeat.

And while it’s been the lowest point in my life, I can truly say that going through TSW has given me priceless gifts I never could have received otherwise. These gifts have come at a tremendous price, but they are priceless. I now feel like so much more of the person I should be. There is a new strength and resiliency in me, but also a sweet softness in my heart towards everyone. [continued in comments]

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