Back From the Brink
woman & home South Africa|October 2022
There's nothing quite as universal as the power of the mind; its ability to mold, mend, bend, break and build us. In lieu of Mental Health Awareness this month, W&H chats to three women who fought their way through adversity by conquering their mental mountains, donning a healthier, happier mindset
By Savanna Douglas
Back From the Brink

Kym Wright

51, TREND & INNOVATIONS SPECIALIST LINDEN, GAUTENG

'As a child, I would always be unfocused and fidgety, half lost in a daydream. My parents, teachers and siblings all knew me as the chatterbox with the mind that would move in several directions at once. This is how I learned to live life, coming to terms with my apparent inability to pay attention like others did, and my disdain for monotony and doing things I couldn't bring myself to really focus on.

'At 48, I found myself desperate to take back control of my mind after my mom's sudden passing. I was exhausted, even after giving myself the time to grieve. Some mornings I would muster a good mood, genuinely happy about life. Then, I'd arrive at the office and something small would set me off and I'd plummet straight towards rock bottom. Not wanting to live between extremes anymore, I decided to see a psychiatrist.

'We chatted about life and about the feelings I had been struggling to deal with, working through the grief of losing my mom and the onslaught of mental health challenges that it had triggered.

We touched on my extreme lack of focus and how, at the time, it seemed amplified. My office environment, for example, was usually teeming with colleagues, but it suddenly became unbearable. Small things like voices talking over each other and sounds around me drained my focus, hurling me into an anxious mess.

'Little did I know that these were all telltale signs of ADD, and I had been displaying these traits my whole life! I dove into researching everything I could, better acquainting myself with the disorder.

This story is from the October 2022 edition of woman & home South Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 2022 edition of woman & home South Africa.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMAN & HOME SOUTH AFRICAView All
Till death do us part
woman & home South Africa

Till death do us part

It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages, said Nietzsche. He may be on to something, says Lorraine Kearney

time-read
3 mins  |
Woman&Home; February 2024
Hit the ROAD
woman & home South Africa

Hit the ROAD

Ensure your vehicle is as ready as you are for your long-awaited summer road trip

time-read
3 mins  |
Woman&Home; February 2024
Make a meal of it
woman & home South Africa

Make a meal of it

There are two basic rules when it comes to wine and food pairing: acidic wine with acidic food, and low acid wine with savoury food, Lorraine Kearney learns

time-read
3 mins  |
Woman&Home; February 2024
Update your GARDEN
woman & home South Africa

Update your GARDEN

Now's the time to refresh your outdoor space

time-read
3 mins  |
Woman&Home; February 2024
the art of INTERIORS
woman & home South Africa

the art of INTERIORS

Colour and texture are the stars of this apartment, writes MARGARET RAFFERTY

time-read
2 mins  |
Woman&Home; February 2024
FALLING OFF THE DIET WAGON isn't a disaster
woman & home South Africa

FALLING OFF THE DIET WAGON isn't a disaster

Changing your mindset is key when it comes to smashing your health and fitness goals, says Annie Deadman. Already let things slip? It's not over yet

time-read
2 mins  |
Woman&Home; February 2024
LIFE after BETRAYAL
woman & home South Africa

LIFE after BETRAYAL

Broken trust can take on many forms, but there's always one common denominator - a feeling of hurt that can last for decades

time-read
3 mins  |
Woman&Home; February 2024
The Ties That Bind
woman & home South Africa

The Ties That Bind

We're all humans, which means we all need relationships to survive. stands to reason that good relationships are the best kind to have. There are ways to get there, says Lorraine Kearney

time-read
4 mins  |
Woman&Home; February 2024
A beauty REVELATION
woman & home South Africa

A beauty REVELATION

The self-care sanctuary Nylde Hoffman and Riëtte Lategan introduced to Stellenbosch has become a sought-after location. We spoke to them about how clients and staff are equally important in their success

time-read
3 mins  |
Woman&Home; February 2024
Love me, LOVE MY MONEY
woman & home South Africa

Love me, LOVE MY MONEY

Married people are generally wealthier than their single counterparts. But finding peace with your partner when it comes to finances can be a tall order

time-read
4 mins  |
Woman&Home; February 2024