Sophie Hardcastle (@sophie_hardcastle) is a twenty-two-year-old author, Fine Arts student and free surfer currently based on the Northern Beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has written two books, both published by Hachette Australia. Her first, Running like China, is a memoir that lays bare the details of her experiences with a mental illness and her second book, Breathing Underwater is a novel set to be released in July 2016.
Soul Sister Circle (@soulsistercircle) chats with Sophie (@soph_hardcastle) about how at 17 years old, the once happy-go-lucky surfer chick lost her joy, her motivation, her energy and witnessed her world unravel as waves of devastation washed over her. She speaks openly about the dark days she endured through three years of misdiagnosis and subsequent mismedication. Her rapid cycling episodes, recurring hospital admissions, her use of drugs, alcohol and sex in an attempt to fix herself, and the desire to take her own life. Finally diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder, Sophie recalls feeling the clouds lift and the sun shine again after receiving the right medication.
Sophie talks about writing and publishing her first book Running Like China and explains the significance behind the name China and how she used this name to mask her illness. She details how she finally came to accept her disorder and now chooses to thrive in spite of it.
We also chat about what to do if you, or someone you know could be suffering from a Mental Illness and how we can each help raise awareness and acceptance of Mental Illness.
For more information and links to any of the resources mentioned in this Podcast visit http://soulsistercircle.com.au/sophiehardcastle